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TUESDAY, November 26, 2002 <br /> <br /> 2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Support the restoration of funding to the VEDP and other <br /> similar programs which have historically provided technical and financial assistance to local <br /> communities as they endeavor to retain and create new jobs and capital investment. <br /> 3. TRANSPORTATION: Support continued state funding to complete the U.S 58 project which <br /> was commenced over ten years ago. Additionally, the City Council supports funding to fast <br /> b'ack the design, engineering, and construction of 1-73 commencing in Henry County then <br /> south to the North Carolina line. <br /> 4. CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES: Request that a bill be filed which would restore funding to <br /> local Constitutional Offices. Localities throughout Virginia cannot afford to pick up an even <br /> greater disproportionate share of the funding to support what are constitutionally state fundin~ <br /> obligations. <br /> 5. 599 FUNDING: Support the filing of a bill that would restore and increase the so-called 599 <br /> funding, particularly to the Cities in Virginia which were promised this source of revenue in <br /> lieu of the right to annex. <br /> 6. HOUSING AND THE ELIMINATION OF URBAN BLIGHT: Continue opposition to HB <br /> 1212 which would allow new multi-sectioned manufactured homes on a permanent <br /> foundation with masonry skirting to be placed in any residential zoning district in the City that <br /> permits single-family dwellings. Additionally, the City Council requests that Section 58.1- <br /> 3970.1, subsection (iii), of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, be revised to allow <br /> localities to assume ownership of derelict properties, in lieu of pursuing a sale at public <br /> auction, where certain conditions are met. The amendment requested would reduce the <br /> amount owed to the locality from 50% of the assessed value of the property to 25%. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ira R. Trollinger, City School Superintendent, reviewed, with Council, key legislative issues for <br />the 2003 school year including: <br /> 1. Support of the continuation of the State School Construction Funds. <br /> 2. Support for the Virginia CARES and JLARC recommendations. <br /> 3. Support of the idea that SOLs should be constantly reviewed and improved. <br /> <br /> Mr. Steve Draper, City Sheriff, summarized vital legislative issues for his office as follows: 1. Support for the continuation of the Compensation Board. <br /> 2. Removal of the Sunset Clause from the Court Services Bill. <br /> 3. An amendment to 19.2-310-3:1, thus shifting the responsibility of the Magistrate to the <br /> booking law enfomement agency, in determining where DNA samples are taken <br /> <br /> Ms. Joan Ziglar, City Commonwealth Attorney, urged Council to plead with the State to restore <br />funds to the Constitutional Offices, and she supported SheriffDraper's position on the State Compensation <br />Board. <br /> <br /> Ms. Ruth Krauss, City Commissioner of Revenue, also emphasized the importance of the State <br />Compensation Board in lieu of the Block Grant funding concept that the State is considering. <br /> <br />Mr. Roscoe Reynolds, Virginia Senator, addressed Council and expressed his support of the City's <br />legislative issues. Senator Reynolds shared his discontent of the State's Car Tax Relief, and stated that many <br /> <br /> <br />