Minutes 03/31/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 31, 1998 Neighborhood Partnerina In the area of Neighborhood Quality, the Department of Community Quality and Planning Services is continuing to work proactively and in partnership _ with citizens, civic leagues, the real estate community, PRHA and other city agencies. Essential ingredients in these partnerships in residential areas are the 4 E's: Education, Encouragement, Enforcement and Equity. The two. keys are two-way communication; a shared vision and shared energy. With continued emphasis in this area Of service delivery, the City moves -closer to its goal of safe neighborhoods and imprOved livability. Museum Ex ,ansion The Children's Museum of Virginia expansion will open this summer, with five ~exhibit groups and the Lancaster Antique Toy and Train Collection. The expanded museum will cater to children of all ages and serve as a learning center in a fun environment: The completion of the expansion signals a major new attraction and continues the Positive momentum occurring in the Olde Towne area of the City, from Admiral's Landing and High Street Landing, to new shops in the 600 block of High Street and the waterfront Conference Center and Hotel. To support the increased funding for. the expanded museum, the Museum and Fine Arts Commission has recommended a $1 increase in the admission charge from $4 to $5 effective .~ July 1, 1998. This increase is reflected in the current revenue estimates. E~t~ipment needs represent a large portion of our backlog. Included in this budget, is approximately $400,000 in cash funding for new equipment for the general fund departments. This level of funding represents a first step in a movement to regular and systematic replacement and maintenance of ~.equipment. The Vehicle and Computer Services budgets also have ~additional equ'ipment funding for improving our fleet and technology base. The total amount of new and replacement equipment exceeds $1.2 million. The budget also reflects the continuation of lease purchase payments that have been incurred over the past few years specifically to address backlog of needs, including $400,000 for purchase of five pieces of fire apparatus in 1997. Public Utilities Strategic Financial Plan As we continue 'to plan for the future, many departments are creating strategic plans to project their long-term financial needs. This budget recommendation includes implementation of the first year of a five-year strategic financial plan. Included in this strategic plan is a five-year, $25 million improvement package to begin addressing renewal and rePlacement of the.aging infrastructure of.~the water and sewer system throughout the city. The graph shoWn on the sCreen depicts the age of the -water system throughout the city with approximately 47% of the system being older than 40. In order to continue to ensure the safety and quality of our drinking water, it is necessary to begin a systematic replacement of the system. We must also fully fund preventative maintenance and routine ~ replacement of capital needs and infrastructure to reduce future operating Costs. investment in Employees General City EmDlo_vees: Anothm: priority in this budget is to provide all employees with a wage increase, to continue to address the market competitiveness of our salary ranges and to continually improve our pay system. This budget includes a 3% pay increase on actual base salary for