Laserfiche WebLink
Association, addressed Council, pointing out that 75% of restaurant <br />patrons are local people. He stated that the meals tax would not be a <br />luxury ~ax, but a tax which would effect working parents and students. <br />He also stated that no one from the public present tonight has spoken <br />in favor of the meals tax. <br /> <br /> Dave Flynn addressed Council, asking that they look into the matter <br />with sincerity. ~ <br /> <br /> There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Buck closed <br />the public hearing. <br /> <br /> Mayor Buck reemphasized the value of the hotel/conference center. <br /> <br />He stated that the majority of the costs from the City will be for the <br />parking garage. He stated that the center will cause positive things <br />to happen in the development of the downtown area. He stated that the <br />benefits will not be for just downtown, but for the entire City. He <br />continued, saying that downtown is the core, and a healthy down~own is <br />needed. He stated that slow decay will happen if the core is not healthy. <br /> <br /> Dr. Hall stated that he has sincerely taken the matter into considera- <br /> tion. He stated that he has the greatest regard for the restaurant owners <br /> and persons who have to bear the burden of paying taxes. Dr. Hall stated <br /> that taxpayers did not want their property taxes increased to subsidize <br /> the Vinegar Hill project and that the tax should be shared more~eq.u~lly <br /> through sales and restaurants. He stated that the suggestion to tax only <br /> meals ranging from $7 to $8 is not feasible. He also pointed out that <br /> the City has missed out on various conventions because we have not had a <br /> place to house them. the new conference center would make it possible to <br /> have those conventions in Charlottesville. <br /> <br /> Mrs. Gleason stated that the benefits of the conference center will <br /> be a profitable venture for the City as a whole. Mrs. Gleason questioned <br /> the fact as to whether a 12~ charge ;on a $4.00 meal will really cause a <br /> person not to eat out. She stated that the cause of the decline in the <br /> restaurant business is because of the economy and that the amount of the <br /> proposed tax will not cause a further decline. <br /> <br /> Mr. Conover stated that since the tax is in substance being tied to <br /> Vinegar Hill, he will have to abstain because of a conflict of interest. <br /> <br /> Dr. Gunter reiterated the fact that the Vinegar Hill complex is <br /> <br /> being planned with the idea of bringing new customers who will be using <br /> restaurants and hotels in the City. She stated that there are not many <br /> good facilities for a major university city like Charlottesville. She <br /> stated that she supports the proposal. <br /> <br /> Mr. Conover stated that he feels it is COuncil's obligation to pursue <br /> taxing alcoholic beverages. <br /> <br /> Mayor Buck stated that he would like to wait to see what happens <br /> with the hotel/conference center and that he is hesitant to use this tax <br /> to replace real estate taxes. He stated that this tax does focus on a <br /> small segment of the community, but he does not b~tieve it would be a <br /> negative impact. He stated that he would like to delay making a final <br /> decision. He stated that the ordinance requires two readings and that by <br /> the second meeting in December (20th) more information will be available <br /> on the Vinegar Hill development. He stated that the first reading of the <br /> <br /> <br />