02-12-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING February 12, 2018 poisoning prevention,homelessness, early childhood education and expanding access to treatment on substance abuse and overdose issues. I'm glad to answer any questions and thank you again for this opportunity to share. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, I just want to thank you. I see so much here in these key initiatives and priorities that I think Councilmembers and the community have been asking for. I really think you've been listening and acting. Thank you for that. Councilmember Dr. David Varner asked, With regards to the increased funding which we now recognize is coming from the gas tax, as we look at areas to add more money I think it should go to the neighborhoods as opposed to the thoroughfares. That seems to consistently get the attention. We also say we don't have the money and now we do. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, I enjoyed the report. Could you share to help reward those box stores that aren't taking advantage of those loopholes?Also, are there rewards for those of us that use the clinic? Also, the infrastructure report came out today from the Federal government and it is calling upon more money from State and Local governments. Mayor Buttigieg replied, I will try to have a better and more in-depth presentation on our infrastructure after I meet with some local Mayors and get a better idea of what has come out. Our initial sense is, yes, their plan for infrastructure is we are paying for it. We are looking at any new leverage that this may open up but it's certainly not what I would describe as a major infusion of new `no strings attached' capital. We will continue looking at that. I love the point of acknowledging the box stores that aren't using the loophole. Maybe one (1) thing we could do is work with the Auditor's and Assessor's Offices and compile a list of stores that, at least to our knowledge, haven't asserted that and find some way to recognize them. In regards to the clinic, we are always looking at ways to acknowledge the employees that use it. I will say that employees are rewarded primarily in terms of good health outcomes. One (1) coworker I know credits the clinic to saving his life. The Wellness Program is a benefit which employees can take advantage of that results in a discounted healthcare cost. Councilmember John Voorde stated, First of all I would like to congratulate you and the team you have put together that is doing such a good job. I was pretty skeptical about Priority-Based Budgeting but every year it seems like it is getting better. I think you're getting the hang of it. Keep up the good work and I look forward to working with you and your team on the 2019 budget. Mayor Buttigieg replied, Thank you and I appreciate that. You did what I should have done from the onset which is acknowledging the team that compares the numbers and does the hard work. They have made us proud and have allowed me to look good through their diligence, especially to Jen and the rest of the Admin and Finance team. Councilmember Karen White stated, Thank you Mayor and thank you to your Administration for the 2018 budget. It was a long process but we got there. I'm thrilled to see the commitment to our neighborhoods and all the different initiatives that reach beyond just government. It does take a village to really address these issues. I look forward to the 2019 budget and really look forward to assuring we continue down the path of addressing our neighborhoods. We need to assure the services provided meet the needs of our residents. I encourage you and your Administration to share the 2018 budget initiatives in terms of impact. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, With the issues of poverty that you addressed, and focusing on the Liquid Asset metric, I would like to share a priority for myself. I know that I've heard from folks on both sides but we need clear-cut pathways for people from renting to homeownership. There is a tremendous amount of wealth in our community that is going toward rentals. Mayor Buttigieg replied, That is a great point and that is something Community Investment is responding to. There has been very clear guidance from Council to focus on that. Often times it is more expensive to rent a property than it would be to finance the ownership of a similar property, if and only if people could get access to financing. Council President Tim Scott stated, I am glad we are looking at the Liquid Asset Poverty rates. This is truly very interesting. I see your initiatives and goals at the end and I see ten (10). There are nine (9) of us Councilmembers and I could see each of us taking on one (1) task and running 8