HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Actions 04-29-96 PHROANOKE CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING
MONDA Y, APRIL 29, 1996
7:00 P.M.
ROANOKE CIVIC CENTER EXHIBIT HALL
AGENDA
Call to Order -- Roll Call.
Welcome -- Invocation. Mayor Bowers.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America will be led
by Mayor Bowers.
Statement of Purpose. Mayor Bowers.
Public hearing to receive comments of citizens with regard to proposed real
property tax for fiscal year 1996-97, recommended 1996-97 HUD Funding
Budget, and 1996-97 recommended City Budget.
Adjournment.
PUBLIC HEARING
FISCAL YEAR 1996-1997
REAL PROPERTY TAX LEVY
PROPOSED HUD FUNDING BUDGET
CITY BUDGET
Monday, April 29, 1996 -- 7:00 p.m.
Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall
Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a pleasure for the Elected and Administrative
Officials of the City of Roanoke to host this public
hearing to receive comments from our citizens with
regard to the 1996-97 fiscal year real property tax, the
recommended HUD Funding Budget, and the
recommended City Budget.
The City of Roanoke proposes to adopt a real
property tax rate of $1.23 per $100 of assessed value,
which is the current tax rate.
The recommended HUD Funding Budget for fiscal
year 1996-97 is $4,194,438.00.
In accordance with requirements of Section 33 of
the Roanoke City Charter pertaining to the annual
budget, the City Manager has recommended a balanced
fiscal year 1996-97 General Fund Budget totalling $152.5
million, representing a 4.1% increase over the current
fiscal year budget. The General Fund Budget includes
full funding of the bu. dget submitted by the Roanoke City
Schools, and also Includes funding for the following
major expenditures:
H:~*~GENDA~REMARKS.WPD 2
Employee Pay Raise -
Increased Grant Fund
Transfers
Increased Landfill Costs -
Increase in Subsidy to
Transportation Fund
Fleet Maintenance
Funding Increase
Supplemental Budget
Requests
$2,580,000.00
$ 414,389.00
$ 136,?03.00
$ 103,468.00
$ 75,000.00
$ 883,450.00
A two-year program is recommended by the City
Manager that will provide automated and semi-
automated trash collection, which will include providing
a free trash container to each household and utilizing
one-arm bandits and other similar equipment for
collection. The budget also includes plans to
implement a new Rental Inspection Program that is in
the final stages of a community-design process. The
program will not only improve the quality of rental
housing in the City, but it will also help provide stability
to homeowners as their neighborhoods become more
attractive and well maintained.
Tonight, it is your time to speak and our time to
listen. In order to hear as many citizens as possible, I
would like to suggest that presentations be limited to
not more than three minutes each. The City Clerk has
arranged for citizens to register, and I will recognize the
persons who wish to speak in the order in which they
have registered.
H:~AQENDAUREMARKE~.WPD 4
04/09/96 DISPATCH ~ 001
14:45 ~'
T/'401 -Black z, aYg6 1:40 0.'00
NOTICE OF PUBUC HEARING
CITY OF ROANON~
RECO/~4ENDED 1996-97 HUD FUNDING BUDGET
.... _: ...~...... _ __ ..1~_ wt~ir . .. ~.
~ W C~ C;urmL pem=r,s .oes!.nng ,,, s,.,.~ ~ ,...-.. --.. .....
~ ~21. ~ Centm'. Luck A..~=nu?.. a~ ~ny .~u~e.n_ ~:~ ...... N W.
The recommended HUD ',Une{~. ~get. ~s ms ~ws-
,1.992,600
293,1a5
585,~X1
411,4too
~4.194.438
.548.097
140.110
477.14,1
556,12Z
42.230
151.261
'4,194.438
APR-09-1996 15:49 P.01
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CITY OF ROANOKE
RECOMMENDED 1996-97 BUDGET
Pursuant to Section 15.1-162, Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, notice is hereby given that on Monday, April 29,
1996, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, Roanoke City Council will hold a special meetin9
in the Exhibit Hall of Roanoke Civic Center, 710 Williamson Road, N. E., Roanoke, Virginia, for the purpose of holding a
public hearing on the 1996-97 City Budget. All persons shall be afforded an opportunity to speak and state their views
concerning all aspects of the budget within such reasonable time limits as shall be established by City Council. Persons
desitin9 to speak on behalf of others must have their names placed on the agenda in accordance with regular procedures
of the Roanoke City Council. Written comments of interested citizens will be received by the City Clerk at any time prior
to the hearin9.
Complete copies of the recommended budget will be available for public inspection at the City Clerk's Office, City
Manager's Office and the main public library.
The recommended budget is summarized as follows:
REVENUE ESTIMATES:
General Fend:
General Property Taxes
Other Local Taxes
Permits, Fees & Licenses
Fines and Forfeitures
Revenue from Use/Money & Property
Grants-in-Aid. Commonwealth
Grants-in-Aid. Federal Government
Charges for Current Services
Miscellaneous Revenue
TOTAL- GENERAL FUND
862,033,700
48,649,356
582,200
875,500
1,138,326
33,840,433
25,000
5,100,346
310,500
8152,535,383
o Enterprise Funds:
Civic Center Fund
Nursing Home Fund
Sewage Treatment Fund
Transportation Fund
Water Fund
o Internal Service Funds:
City Information Systems Fund
Fleet Management Fund
Management Services Fund
Materials Control Fund
Risk Management Fund
Utility Line Services Fund
S ecial Revenue Fund:
School Fund
2,203,471
1,815,249
9,836,450
2,705,130
8,676,861
2,397,943
3 120 721
163,774
611,190
3,127,533
· ~ 82,709,883
RECOMMENDED EXPENDITURES:
General Fund:
Community Development
General Government
Health and Welfare
Judicial Administration
Non-Departmental
Parks, Recreation & Cultural
Public Safety
Public Works
TOTAL-GENERAL FUND
o Enterprise Funds:
Civic Center Fund
Nursing Home Fund
Sewage Treatment Fund
Transportation Fund
Water Fund
o Internal Service Funds:
City Information Systems Fund
Fleet Management Fund
Management Services Fund
Materials Control Fund
Risk Management Fund
Utility Line Services Fund
S ecinl Revenue Fund:
School Fund
Given under my hand this 15th day of April, 1996.
1,145,816
9,519,174
19,672,272
3,777,766
58,738,729
4,745,612
35,468,206
21,467,788
8152,535,363
2,626,471
1,837,661
9,836,450
2,859,379
8,876,861
2,397,943
4,106,267
210,993
163,774
611,190
3,127,533
82,709,883
Mary F. Parker, City Clerk
NOTE TO PUBLISHER:
Please publish in full once on Monday, April 15, 1996 in the Roanoke Times.
Proof copy requested. Send to:
Sherman M. Stovall
Budget and Management Analyst
215 Church Avenue, S.W., Room 364
Roanoke, VA 24011
Please place this notice on the same page as the Notice of Proposed Real Property Tax Increase. Advertisement
may not appear in that portion ef the newspaper reserved for legal notices and classified advertisements.
Please send publinher's affidavit and bill to:
Mary F. Parker, City Clerk
Room 456, Municipal Building
Roanoke, VA 24011
NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
Pursuant to Section 58.1-3321, Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, notice is hereby given that the City of
Roanoke proposes to increase property tax levies.
_Assessment fncre~,.: The total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to
new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year's total assessed value of real property
by 3.31 percent.
Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount
of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the
exclusions mentioned above, would be $1.19 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the
"lowered tax rate".
3. Effective Rate Incre,,.- The City of Roanoke proposes to adopt a tax rate of 81.23 per 8100 of assessed
value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed tax rate would be 8.04 per 8100,
or 3.31 percent. This difference will be known as the "effective tax rate increase". Individual property
taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage.
4. Proposed Total Budget Incree~: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other
revenues, the total budget of the City of Roanoke will exceed last year's by 4.10 percent.
A public hearing on the "effective tax rate increase" will be held on April 29, 1996, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon
thereafter as the matter may be heard, in the Exhibit Hall of Roanoke Civic Canter, 710 Williamson Road, N.E.
Roanoke, Virginia. All persons desiring to be heard shall be accorded an opportunity to present oral testimony
within such reasonable time limits as shall be determined by City Council.
Given under my hand this 15th day of April, 1996.
Mary F. Parker, City Clerk
NOTE TO PUBLISHER:
Please publish in full once on Monday, April 15, 1996, in the Roanoke Times.
Proof copy requested. Send to: Sherman M. Stovall
Budget and Management Analyst
215 Church Avenue, S. W., Room 364
Roaneke, VA 24011
Total advertisement must be 118 page in size.
"NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE" line must be 18pt in size.
Please place this notice on the same page as the Notice ef Public Hearing City of Roanoke
Recommended 1996-97 Budget. Advertisement may not appear in that portion of the newspaper
reserved for legal notices and classified advertisements.
Please tend publisher's affidavit and bill to:
Mary F. Parker, City Clerk
Reom 456, Municipal Building
Roanoke, VA 240111
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CITY OF ROANOKE
RECOMMENDED 1996-97 HUD FUNDING BUDGET
Pursuant to 24 CFR 91.105, notice is hereby given that on Monday, April 29, 1996,
at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, Roanoke City Council
will hold a special meeting in the Exhibit Hall of the Roanoke Civic Center, 710
Williamson Road, N.E., Roanoke, Virginia, for the purpose of holding a public hearing
on the City's proposed 1996-97 HUD Funding Budget. All persons shall be afforded
an opportunity to speak and state their views concerning all aspects of the budget
within such reasonable time limits as shall be established by City Council. Persons
desiring to speak on behalf of others must have their names placed on the agenda in
accordance with regular procedures of the Roanoke City Council. Written comments
of interested persons will be received by the City Clerk at any time prior to the
hearing.
Complete copies of the Consolidated Plan Annual Update, which includes the
recommended budget, will be available for public inspection at the City Clerk's Office,
Room 456, Municipal Building; the Office of Grants Compliance, Room 221, Jefferson
Center, Luck Avenue; all City libraries; and the main office of the Roanoke
Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Salem Turnpike, N.W.
The recommended HUD funding budget is as follows:
REVENUE ESTIMATES:
CDBG Entitlement Grant
CDBG Carry-over
CDBG Program Income
CDBG Prior Years Excess Program Income
HOME Entitlement Grant
HOME Carry-over
HOME Prior Year Excess Program Income
ESG Entitlement Grant
$1,992,600
598,493
237,000
293,185
585,900
411,460
2,000
TOTAL HUD REVENUE
RECOMMENDED EXPENDITURES:
Housing
Neighborhood/Economic Development
Human Services
Homeless Services
Planning/Administration
Section 108 Loan Repayment
Indirect Costs
Contingency
TOTAL RECOMMENDED EXPENDITURES
$1,548,097
1,029,477
250,000
140,110
477,141
556,122
42,230
Citizens who desire to speak at, or who need special assistance to fully participate
in, the meeting are requested to call the City Clerk's office at 981-2541. For further
information about the meeting or to comment on or inquire about the plan, contact
the Office of Grants Compliance at 981-2141.
Given under my hand this 9th day of April 1996.
Mary F. Parker, City Clerk.
TESTIMONY PRESENTED BEFORE
ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL
April 29, 1996
Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you this evening. I am Tom Stocks, pastor of Rosalind Hills Baptist
Church and a member of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Roanoke Valley. The Mental
Health Association is a non-profit, non-governmental organization with more than 500 members who work to
educate citizens of the Roanoke Valley about issues related to mental health and mental illness and advocate for
quality care and services for those who suffer from mental illnesses.
As advocates, we support the request from Blue Ridge Community Services for funds for the next fiscal year. Blue
Ridge Conummity Services provides mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services to the citizens
of the counties of Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke and the cities of Roanoke and Salem.
The funding request submitted by Blue Ridge Community Services was prepared in accordance with the Department
of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services policy which requires that all State Base
Funds are to be matched in a 90:10 ratio with local tax dollars. The requested allocation represents the an~ount
necessary to maintain all programs at their current level of service.
Blue Ridge Community Services provided mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse treatment or
counseling services to 5,349 Roanoke City residents during the fiscal year which ended in June, 1995. The value
of these services was $7,078,049. This represents $21.69 in services for each local match dollar which the City
provided.
P,~' FY96, Roanoke City allocated $336,165 in local tax dollars to the Blue Ridge Community Services. The
agency has requested an allocation of $477,070 from Roanoke City for the fiscal year 1996-97. Appropriations in
a lesser amount than that requested will jeopardize state funds and existing service delivery. The unmet needs of
clients throughout this system are staggering. We cannot continue to deny individuals with mental disabilitites the
services they need to enable them to live successfully in our community.
On behalf of the Roanoke City citizens who continue to benefit from the services of this agency, I thank you for
your time and for your consideration.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE REMARKS
Remarks by Ted Edlich
TAP, President
Roanoke City Council Hearing
April 29, 1996
Mayor Bowers, Members of City Council, City Manager, I appreciate the
opportunity to speak in support of the Certificate of Compliance Ordinance that the
City Manager is recommending for enactment. Let me list briefly some of my
reasons for supporting this proposed ordinance.
First, and foremost, it is in line with City Council's long standing concern for
the neighborhood preservation and development of its innercity neighborhoods. It
has been the policy of this council to stress that the development of its
neighborhoods and downtown commercial area were very much related to each
other. Hence, the development of the Neighborhood Partnership and many other
activities to help those neighborhoods rebuild.
Second, for more than three years those neighborhoods led by the leadership
of Old Southwest have been asking for tools to prevent the future decline of housing
in their communities. This ordinance together with the ordinance on junked cares
and a more effective way eliminating Vacant housing were the very tools that these
neighborhoods were requesting in their effort to stem blight.
Third, this ordinance does not impose any new standards but insists that the
present building codes which are already in effect be adhered to by those in the
rental housing business. It is consistent with ordinances in most other areas which
protect the public. Restaurants require periodic health inspections. Commercial
properties require fire code inspections. All new construction requires extensive
inspections before it becomes habitable. The importance of maintaining the
standards of rental property is every bit as important to the public as maintaining
those standards in other areas.
Fourth, this ordinance is being proposed only after extensive discussion with
all parties involved including the landlords. There have been three public meetings
including two public hearings and meetings with a Task Force that included landlord
representatives. The original draft has been modified a number of times in order to
gain wide support. On the insistence of both neighborhoods and landlord
representatives, the proposal was written to favor a two year regular inspection
cycle. Upon the request of landlords, fines were to be imposed only after the rental
property failed the tlfird inspection needed to be inspected a fourth time. The
ordinance as presented has the wide support of both neighborhoods, agencies
dealing with low income renters, and, I believe, a good number of landlords.
Fifth, similar ordinances in other communities such as Virginia Beach,
Portsmouth and Lynchburg have been extremely successful. The report is that after
the initial furor died down and the ordinance was passed that landlords anticipat'mg
inspections began making needed improvements. Those wbo did not want to make
those necessary improvements to bring their property up to code, sold them. When
I talked last month with the legal department of the City of Lynchburg, I was told
that the landlord who most opposed the ordinance stated that he thought the
ordinance had been a good thing afterall and had worked well in that community. In
not one case did they have to take the landlord to court.
Finally, this ordinance will have many positive effects. It will ensure safer
rental housing so that tragedies like the death of the Lefiwich children are less likely
to happen. It will improve the housing stock in our center city by ensuring that
rental property meets code, by encouraging homeowners who live near rental
property to improve their homes and by raising housing values in the center city thus
encouraging the rehabilitation of other units and the building of new homes in the
area. It will help in sending the message to others that Roanoke City is an attractive
place to live as well as work.
There is no reason not to pass this ordinance. It is an idea which is endorsed
by authorizing legislation. It is an idea whose time has come. I want to thank the
City Manager, Bill Clark, Dan Pollack and Will Dibling and his staff and all those
on the Task Force who have worked tirelessly to bring this ordinance before you.
And I want to remember both Mrs. Tate and the Leftwich clfildren and grandmother
who helped me to be sensitized to this issue.
-2-