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Committeemember Smith replied,No, not yet. We will be, barring no conflict. <br /> Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated, I think this is well-intentioned. I applaud the Mayor for <br /> going to $10.10. I see two (2) flaws to this legislation. I agree that, if this is adopted, it should be <br /> tied to the time of when the abatement is signed. There is a fundamental reality that, I think, <br /> everyone would probably recognize. You cannot tax or regulate a community into prosperity. I <br /> think the City's leadership going to $10.10 set an example which was good. The uncertainty of <br /> knowing what the rate will be for the City next year is not good. A regulatory attempt to make <br /> this happen limits businesses' ability to make decisions. What happens when the City bumps <br /> their rate again? <br /> Dr. Wolfson stated, If we are talking about a ten(10)year abatement and the rate is flat during <br /> that time, that would benefit the employee. The Mayor raised the wages for City employees, <br /> rightfully so. And we are talking about sophisticated companies. <br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, We should probably make, in somehow or in some way, <br /> the burden of the compliance on the recipient of the abatement. There is the compliance issue <br /> and I know there are specific reports on wages and salaries. How can we put that in a policy <br /> format? I want to get to the policy and the meat behind this. And if this was in effect, what would <br /> be the net impact of turning people down or approving them?Another question I hear from other <br /> Councilmembers is whether or not we are tying this to the time of abatement. Is it fixed or are we <br /> indexing the rate? I'm looking for more information on that and, if we index it, what would be a <br /> reasonable thing to tie it to? I have many individuals in my district that are supportive of this and <br /> I am well aware of the need in the community. Other than complaint-driven compliance, can we <br /> have annual notice or hearings from these companies? Maybe we can look at a quarterly or a bi- <br /> annual process. <br /> Ms. Williams-Preston stated, I think it is really important to know how to enforce these things. <br /> However,that shouldn't stop us from doing what is right and what is needed. <br /> Councilmember Randy Kelly stated, I think there is a point to be made about whether the rate <br /> should be fixed at the time of the abatement. We don't know what the City will do in the coming <br /> years and it could place an undue burden on a business. To what extent might this have a <br /> negative impact on our community? If a company considers this a burden, might they decide to <br /> hire fewer full-time workers and instead hire more part-time workers? <br /> Dr. Wolfson replied, It is not likely that part-time workers would be affected. It is certainly <br /> something that could happen. I don't think businesses would go to any extraordinary lengths to <br /> get around this. This is not an unfair burden. <br /> Committee Vice Chair Williams-Preston opened the floor to members of the public wishing to <br /> speak in favor of or in opposition to the legislation. <br /> Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, stated, I would like to offer a suggestion. At the time of <br /> abatement you could fix it to the City amount but it would increase incrementally by the Cost of <br /> Living Index. <br /> 4 <br />