City Council

Public Hearing 04/19/11 CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. THOMAS J. TOMZAK, MAYOR HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, VICE MAYOR CITY COUNCIL HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. BRADFORD C. ELLIS, WARD ONE HON. GEORGE C. SOLLEY, WARD TWO HON. FREDERIC N. HOWE, III, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street HON. BEATRICE R. PAOLUCCI, WARD FOUR Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 April 19, 2011 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a public hearing on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. City Council Present. Mayor Thomas J. Tomzak, presiding. Vice-Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Councilors Bradford C. Ellis, Frederic N. Howe, III, Beatrice R. Paolucci, and George C. Solley. Council Absent. Councilor Kerry P. Devine – out of town. Also Present. City Manager Beverly R. Cameron, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Notice of Public Hearings (D11-180.1 thru D11-180.3). The Clerk read the notice of the public hearings as they appeared in the local newspaper, the purpose being to solicit citizen input. Mayor Tomzak read his disclosure as an employee of the Health Department. City Manager Cameron gave a budget brief prior to the public comments. The budget total is $75.6 million. He is proposing an additional transfer to schools in the amount of $900,000, a general fund transfer of $1.4 million to be allotted for deferred maintenance, employee bonus in the amount of $367,750, new positions to rebuild staff in key areas, and recommendation of real estate tax rate of $0.72. 17589 Public Hearing 04/19/11 Pamela Garrett, Safe Harbor Executive Director asked Council to reconsider their request of $5,000. She explained the importance of their program for sexually abused children. She said the cost is about $1,000 per child and they have served approximately 53 children at a cost of around $53,000 and she said they were only asking for $5,000. Teresa Bowers, Program Director for Senior Visitor’s Program, thanked Council for their support and asked that they support the small increase that they were requesting. Betty Ellett, Rappahannock Regional Library, began by telling Council about the reading rocker program that was started at the Head Start program and how they raised funds to give 800 students a book. She said the library appreciates the full funding. Ellen Killough, President of the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, said she had asked for level funding, but felt additional funding was warranted due to the Civil War commemoration, renewed focus on the Market Square. They are presenting a 6 day concert series with the help of University of Mary Washington and the Fredericksburg Arts Commission. She requested an additional $20,000. Dr. Brooke Rossheim (D11-180.2), Health Department, stated that when he submitted his application in December there were no major changes, but since then there has been changes to the restaurant permit fee, which costs $285/year, has now changed to $40/year. He said state budget may have several decreases or increases that will affect the budget. (attachment). Ms. Billy McCough, 202 Charles Street, spoke in support of disAbilities Resouce Center (DRC). She asked that Council continue to support DRC. She explained how they helped her and her son find a place to live after they lost their home to fire. 17590 Public Hearing 04/19/11 Marilyn Stevens, Executive Director of SERVE, stated that they don’t receive funding from any of the Counties or City except Stafford. She explained that they don’t turn anyone away who is looking for help with food or financial assistance. She asked Council for $10,000 to support their program. Ann Kloeckner, Executive Director of Rappahannock Legal Services (RLS), explained the reason for asking for the five percent increase. She said due to the down economy the funding demand had increased. She said RLS has fundraising ideas to help with the funding gap, but she said it would not cover all $30,000. Jim Schaefer, Executive Director of Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging, stated how important it is for Council to support the program. He also described what the program does to support the elderly. Beth Constaitino, Bluemont Concert Series, thanked Council for their support over the past 16 years. She said the concerts bring arts to the community and provide family outings. Chandra Western, Executive Director of the Hope House, explained the program to Council and she told Council about the new Discovery House that would be opening soon to house 4 more families. She asked for level funding stating that 80 percent of her budget is local donations and the other 20 percent is State, Federal and local. Roberta Schrieber, President of SERVE Board of Directors stated that they are in desperate need for the City’s help so that they can continue to provide funding for food and prescriptions. 17591 Public Hearing 04/19/11 Clevo Wheeling, 16 Little Ark Lane, spoke on behalf of SERVE and asked for any help the City could give. Matthew Kelly, 1309 Hanover Street, stated the City has many problems coming down the road. He said the reassessment values were going down. He requested a public session on the budget and what’s to come down the road. He wanted to know how the City plans to pay for it all. LaBravia Jenkins, Commonwealth Attorney, President of the Board of Directors for Safe Harbor spoke on the importance of Safe Harbor. She stated that a sexually abuse child would have to go to Commonwealth Attorney’s office, Social Services, Police Department and Rappahannock Community Services Board if Safe Harbor was not available. She said it should be looked at as an extension of City offices. Ms. Jenkins stated that Spotsylvania has pledged $5,000 and she asked the City to do the same. Megan Cotter, Micah Executive Service Leader, 1013 Caroline Street, asked for continued support of the Cold Weather Shelter. She said she has requested increased funding, but hoped the City would continue to support Micah. Margaret Heighmas, 1820 Shannon Drive, a caregiver for a disAbilities Resource Center client, asked for continued support of the DRC. Shawn Lawrence, 217 South Street, encouraged continued support of disAbilities Resource Center. He said because of the City’s past support they have been able to provide services free of charge. Bill Hay 1105 Walker Drive, spoke in support of the Library’s request. He said he was confident the City would give careful consideration to the Library’s request. 17592 Public Hearing 04/19/11 Hashmel Turner, New Kent Street, spoke in support of Head Start, Boys & Girls Club, and Bragg Hill Family Life Center. He said they are all proactive programs. He said they are each proactive programs that help the City from having to be reactive later. Raymond Herlong (D11-180.3), 1009 Prince Edward Street, read a statement (see D11-180.3), regarding that the rising costs of today. He asked to City to tighten the budget just as the Citizens have had to do. James Lawrence, 802 Caroline Street, requested the City not fund Downtown Retail Merchants, Inc. Adjournment. There being no speakers to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Tomzak declared the hearing officially adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Thomas J. Tomzak Thomas J. Tomzak, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council 17593 Public Hearing 04/19/11 [This page intentionally left blank.] 17594