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HomeMy WebLinkAbout091906 ADOPTED CLAúñü îððèïôéäøöôêñüéôçøöøïùü öüê  øïøëüñêêøðûñäøêêôîï ðúûî èïôúôíüñøïéøëèôñùôïöïø úùê îèëéõîèêøëôçøèôéø çûç  ôëöôïôüøüúõôëöôïôü $GRSWHGE\&LW\&RXQFLO 6HSWHPEHU CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH FUNDING ISSUES - 1. Group Home Beds in the Locality for Youth Needing Out of Home Placement 2. CSA Administrative Allocation 3. Support for Additional State General Fund Dollars for Mental Health Programs 4. Funding for the Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center 5. State Aid to Virginia Public Libraries 6. Info-Powering the Commonwealth 7. Virginia Beach and TCC Lifelong Learning Center 8. Sheriff s Work Release Facility 9. Transportation 10. Virginia Aquarium, Marine Science Center Marine Animal Research & Conservation Initiatives 11. Virginia Beach Convention Center Funding 12. Contemporary Art Center of Virginia Funding 13. The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Funding Page 2 Page # 21-31 21 22 22-23 23 23 24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31 a state official, can successfully recruit and reclaim deputies who provide a much-needed public safety service. Again as mentioned in last year's Community Legislative Agenda, the State should fully fund State services before it considers limiting the localities ability to provide the necessary funding to keep State services in satisfactory operation. The General Assembly also failed during the 2006 Session to address the under funding of the car tax relief program. When the car tax was capped during the 2004 General Assembly session there was approximately $270 million of under funding in car tax reimbursements to localities. This means that localities like Virginia Beach, who are so- called "spring billers", are reimbursed from the following fiscal year, instead of the year in which the year the car tax relief is provided. The General Assembly should fix this budget inaccuracy immediately. Localities would not be allowed to pay for current fiscal year liabilities with future fiscal years revenue. Finally, the General Assembly has not addressed the transportation issue, although a Special Session of the General Assembly may happen before the start of the 2007 Regular Session - it still remains highly likely that this action will leave transportation woefully under funded. As the City has repeatedly expressed, a statewide transportation revenue shortfall of close to $1 billion per year exists. Unless this is addressed soon the City will see even more pronounced cutbacks in the amount of urban allocation funds available to the City, for roads such as Nimmo Pkwy, Princess Anne Road, Witchduck Road Interchange, Witchduck Road improvements, Lynnhaven Parkway improvements, Shore Drive improvements, etc. Furthermore, the General Assembly will likely inadequately address the needs identified by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). There is still $275 million in long-term revenues needed in the region as well as the ability to toll both new and existing parallel facilities. The General Assembly also needs not to interpose its will in the Federal mandated MPO process. Prioritizing Route 460 for instance, as a higher priority than 1-64 on the Southside, makes little sense. Allowing travelers to utilize an improved Route 460 to then be stuck on four lanes of a very congested highway along 1-64 in Chesapeake is counter intuitive and makes little sense. This is also true if a new Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt was constructed and then to be hamstrung by an unimproved 1-64 in Chesapeake. Finally, transportation funding should not be done at the cost of funding other State services. New revenues need to be found for transportation rather than stealing from under funded services as mentioned above, such as, education, public health, corrections,etc. Page 4 &9% ,7<2),5*,1,$($&+  Sec. 3.02:1. Election of Council Members. There shall be a general election on the first Tuesday in May in even numbered years for the election of councilmembers to replace those '.vhose tcrms expire at the end of June of that year. Pursuant to an ordinance adopted by City Council on June 27, 2006, City Council elections shall take place during the general election in November 2008, and during the November general election in even years thereafter, for councilmembers whose terms expire at the end of December of that year. Councilmembers, including the mayor, whose terms expire as of June 30, 2008 or June 30, 2010 shall continue in office until their successors have been elected at the November election and take office on January 1. The term of office for each councilmember shall commence on Ally January 1 next following the date of election and shall continue until his successor has been duly elected and qualified. Each candidate shall state, at the time of filing, whether he is running at-large, from the district of his residence or for mayor. Candidates for council shall be nominated only by petition in the manner prescribed by general law. Sec. 3.02:2. Election of mayor. The mayor shall be elected at the general election on the first Tuesday in May 1988 in November 2008, and each fourth year thereafter, to serve for a term of four years. Candidates for mayor shall run for one of the at-large seats. A candidate running for mayor shall not run for any other seat. In the event any councilman, including the mayor, shall decide during his term of office to be a candidate for mayor, he shall tender his resignation as a councilman not less than ten days prior to the date for the filing of petitions as required by general law. Such resignation shall be effective on June 30 December 31, shall constitute the councilman's intention to run for mayor, shall require no formal acceptance by the remaining councilmen councilmembers and shall be final and irrevocable when tendered. The unexpired portion of the term of any councilman councilmember who has resigned to run for mayor shall be filled at the same general election. Sec. 16.04. Election of the board. A. L\t the general election held in May of 1991, the qualified ',coters of the city shall elect one board member from each of the boroughs of Bayside, Kempsville, Lynnha',cen, and Pungo for terms of four years, and hvo at large members for terms of four years. At the general election held in May of 1996, the qualified voters of the city shall elect one board member from each of the boroughs of Blacb:>:ater, Princess Anne, and Virginia Beach for terms of two years, and two at large membcrs for terms of four years. Beginning with the gcneral election held in May of 1998, a All board members shall be elected in the same manner and according to the same schedule that councilmembers are elected. Thereafter, all board mcmbers shall be elected~ for terms of four years. Beginning in 1998, and Page 6 HYHU\WZR\HDUVWKHUHDIWHUWKHUHVKDOOEHDJHQHUDOHOHFWLRQLQ0D\IRUWKH HOHFWLRQRIERDUGPHPEHUVWRUHSODFHWKRVHZKRVHWHUPVH[SLUHDWWKHHQG RI-XQHRIDJLYHQHOHFWLRQ\HDU7KHWHUPRIRIILFHIRUHDFKHOHFWHGERDUG PHPEHUVKDOOFRPPHQFHRQWKHILUVWGD\RI-XO\-DQXDU\QH[WIROORZLQJ WKHGDWHRIHOHFWLRQDQGVKDOOFRQWLQXHXQWLODVXFFHVVRUKDVEHHQGXO\ HOHFWHGDQGTXDOLILHG3XUVXDQWWRDQRUGLQDQFHDGRSWHGE\&LW\&RXQFLO RQ-XQH CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH 2007 NON-FuNDING ITEMS 1. CONFIDENTIALITY OF JUVENILE JUSTICE RECORDS - GANG ACTIVITY Police Department Human Services Department Background Information: Virginia Code ~ 16.1-300.A.6 requires law enforcement officers, school officials, and probation officers that have a legitimate interest in a juvenile case to obtain a court order before being allowed access to the social, medical, psychiatric and psychological reports and records of children who are or have been: before a court, under court supervision, receiving services from a court service unit, or committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice. A court order is not required for several other officials and agencies that have legitimate interests in a juvenile case. Instead, the law provides strict parameters around the circumstances under which such information may be released to those individuals. Law enforcement officers, school officials, probation officers, and juvenile courts need to be able to immediately share information during the investigation of criminal gang activity. Obtaining court orders every time information is needed is cumbersome and time-consuming and could impair time-sensitive gang-related investigations. Request: The General Assembly is requested to amend the State Code to allow law enforcement officers, probation officers, and school officials' access to juvenile court records when such officials are conducting an investigation into gang activity involving a specific juvenile. 2. CIVIL PENALTIES FOR FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS Chie(Greg Cade Fire Department Background Information: The Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) provides for the use of summonses for fire code violations when the Fire Official is trained in accordance with the Code of Virginia (~ 27-34.2). Violations of the SFPC are Class I misdemeanors (~ 27-100). Page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system. A civil penalty would provide for a more timely resolve to violations making it less attractive to violate the Code and then manipulate the system while continuing to do business in the same unlawful manner. Civil penalties would, hopefully, result in a safer Commonwealth for our citizens and visitors. 3. CHILD ENDANGERMENT FROM ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ChiefCireg Cade Fire Department Background Information: Fireworks are strictly regulated in the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code. The City of Virginia Beach strengthens the Code, declaring all fireworks illegal for use, sale or storage. Fireworks have become an increasing problem in the city on major holidays, such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. The quantity and quality of fireworks has continued to increase with professional quality fireworks being made available to consumers through out-of-state purchases and over the Internet. These fireworks pose a considerable hazard to both life and property. In many instances adults and fall into the hands of children obtain these fireworks. The fireworks problem out paces all enforcement efforts and the problem continues to increase every year. This year there were a number of children treated in emergency facilities across the city as a result of fireworks injuries. Request: The General Assembly is requested to enact mandatory reporting by all emergency medical facilities and Emergency Medical Technicians for all juvenile fireworks injuries. Reports should be filed with Child Protective Services (CPS) with the requirement that CPS forward the information to the local Fire and Police Official for further investigation. The investigation findings would be shared with CPS, and as a joint effort between Law Enforcement, Fire and CPS, each incident would be addresses. The intent of the investigation is to seek out parents who knowingly allow a child to utilize fireworks. The investigation would also help reveal where some of these more dangerous fireworks are coming from with the hope that additional enforcement actions could limit the influx of illegal fireworks into Virginia or may support increasing the penalty to a felony for selling fireworks. The felony charge would allow offenders to be brought to justice when out of state. 4. TRANSFER OF PROPERTY FOR LASKIN ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT James K. Spore City Jlanager City ojTirginia Beach Page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erry Jenkins Department Director Human Services Background Information: Due to the severity of illness and level of need for many CSA youth needing out of home placement, we are forced to seek residential treatment outside of the state of Virginia. While these children have Medicaid coverage, it is quite difficult to access coverage for these out of state services. Costs for out of state placement frequently exceed $130,000 per year. Medicaid policy states "If a child requires this level of service that is not available in Virginia, an out of state provider may enroll for a specific child for the duration of that admission." The time it takes to go through this child specific enrollment process does not take into account the need for emergency placement, and can take several weeks to authorize. If the locality, in the best interest of the child, proceeds with the placement without preauthorization, they run the risk of having to cover the cost of this stay, despite the fact that the child has Medicaid since there is no guarantee that Medicaid will authorize temporary provider status. This past fiscal year, Medicaid had a freeze on approving out of state providers which further complicated placement issues. Request: The General Assembly is requested to direct the Department of Medical Assistance Services to utilize the same authorization process as is currently used for in -state residential placements for out- of- state placements, provided the locality can assure that there are no willing in-state providers for needed services. 7. REvIEW OF ApPLICATIONS FOR STATE OR FEDERAL FUNDS OR SERVICES USED IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS Terry Jenkins Department Director Human Services and Community Ciroups Background Information: In 37.2-311 of the Code of Virginia, states that no state agency that is authorized to issue final approval or disapproval of, or to make a final review and comment on any application for state or federal funds that are to be used in a substance abuse program shall take final action on an application until it is reviewed and commended on by the Department of Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS). It further states that every applicant for any federal or state funds to be Page 12 XVHGLQFRQQHFWLRQZLWKDQ\VXEVWDQFHDEXVHSURJUDPVKDOOVXEPLWDFRS\RIWKH DSSOLFDWLRQIRUUHYLHZDQGFRPPHQW 5HTXHVW 7KH*HQHUDO$VVHPEO\LVUHTXHVWHGWRDPHQG 9. RECOMMENDATION FOR JLARC To Do A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF VRS BENEFITS Patti Phillips Departrnent Director Finance Background Information: The Virginia Retirement System has been in place since the 1950s and may not fit the needs of today' s workforce. Therefore, we recommend that a thorough examination of retirement benefits be conducted. Request: JLARC is directed to conduct a comprehensive study of VRS benefits to include a review of law enforcement benefits, disability provisions, return-to-work, and defined contribution retirement plans, especially as they relate to attracting and retaining a quality workforce. 10. BETTER REpORTING OF VRS ACTUARIAL DATA TO LOCALITIES Patti Phillips Department Director Finance Background Information: Each locality in VRS receives an annual actuarial evaluation in a standard format. The actuarial evaluation is based on locality specific data, but much of it is not included in the report. This makes it very difficult for a locality to understand the retirement cost of the different classes of covered employees (such as general employees and public safety employees) and the specific assumptions for a locality that are driving its costs (such as job-related disability retirements). A recent study by JLARC concluded that is essential that VRS provide more information to localities and the City of Chesapeake is expressing the same concern. Request: The City of Virginia Beach supports a legislative directive to the Virginia Retirement System to provide local governments with expanded information on VRS costs. Page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unlawful conduct warrants the on-going attention of law enforcement. Amending the definition of "criminal street gang" by removing the act of felony violence requirement will allow law enforcement access to otherwise confidential juvenile records that will enhance their efforts to thwart the escalating gang activities of these younger groups. B. State law provides that a member of a gang who commits a "predicate criminal act" is guilty of a felony separate and in addition to the underlying predicate act. The current definition of "predicate criminal act" lists the limited offenses that constitute such an act. The definition of "predicate criminal act" needs to include any and all felony offenses involving a firearm or other weapon. Request: The General Assembly is requested to: . Amend the definition of "criminal street gang" found at Virginia Code ~ 18.2- 46.1 to remove the requirement that the group's members must have committed a felony act of violence in order for the group to be classified as a "criminal street gang. " . Amend the definition of "predicate criminal act" found at Virginia Code ~ 18.2- 46.2 to include all felony acts involving the use of a firearm or weapon. 18. ENDORSEMENT OF GOVERNOR KAINE'S ENHANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL, WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES Council Alember T'illanueva Virginia Beach City Council Background Information: Governor Kaine has stated that it is "imperative that the Commonwealth of Virginia maximize the participation of its citizens in the vast array of commercial opportunities in state government. The Commonwealth historical record in buying goods and services from small, women and minority owned businesses must be improved." City Council is fully in support of this initiative. Request: The General Assembly is requested to support Governor Kaine's effort to increase the participation of small, women and minority owned businesses in the State's contracting and purchasing processes. The goal is that 40% of the purchase be made from small Page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±&$ $;(/,())25(1,25,7,=(162167,787,21$/0(1'0(17 &RXQFLO0HPEHU5RQ9LOODQXHYD &LW\RI9LUJLQLD%HDFK %DFNJURXQG,QIRUPDWLRQ 7KH9LUJLQLD%HDFK&LW\&RXQFLOHVWDEOLVKHGDWDVNIRUFHWRH[DPLQHWKH SRVVLELOLW\RISURYLGLQJDGGLWLRQDOWD[UHOLHIWRHOGHUO\9LUJLQLD%HDFKUHVLGHQWV7KHWDVN IRUFHSXEOLVKHGDUHSRUWLQODWH7KHWDVNIRUFHPDGHWKUHHUHFRPPHQGDWLRQVWR FKDQJHWKHH[LVWLQJVWDWHFRGHDVZHOODVDQDPHQGPHQWWRWKH9LUJLQLD&RQVWLWXWLRQ 3DJH Request: The General Assembly is requested to amend the state constitution to allow for a local option non-means tested tax freeze for all senior citizens. The General Assembly would need to enact legislation during the 2007 Session. There would be an intervening election in 2007 and the same legislation would need to be passed in 2008. The voters would then vote on the referendum for the constitutional amendment in the November 2008 election. The constitution would then be amended effective January 1,2009. 21. CREATION OF STATE INSURANCE "WIND POOL" Council Alember John Uhrin City ofT'irginia Beach Background: Property owners in Virginia Beach, particularly at the oceanfront, are able to purchase insurance for wind damage from the secondary insurance market at high rates and high deductibles. Many other coastal states have established a "wind pool" insurance program that is available in specific geographic areas. Policies have been provided at more reasonable rates and deductibles. Wind has become, to most insurance carriers, the biggest risk in the Virginia Beach area. A $25 million piece of property could have a two percent wind deductible making the deductible payment $500,000. This is in great contrast to the more reasonable $5,000 deductible that was available just a few years ago. The wind insurance premium increases must also be considered as many Virginia Beach businesses are being forced to pay 300 percent increases. Request: The General Assembly is requested to pass enabling legislation required for the creation of a state insurance "wind pool" so that wind damage insurance can be provided at a more reasonable cost with lower deductibles. Page 20 CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH 2007 FUNDING ITEMS 1. NEED FOR ADDITIONAL GRoup-HoME BEDS IN THE LOCALITY FOR YOUTH NEEDING OUT OF HOME PLACEMENT Terry Jenkins Department Director Human Services Background Information: Efforts have been underway for the last several years to develop a 12-bed Group Home adjacent to the Juvenile Detention Center for teens needing out of home placement. This site has been approved previously and a conditional use permit was issued, however, funding for construction remains a need. The proposed facility would become a city- owned building, for the Tidewater Regional Group Home Commission to operate, setting up a fee structure with the Comprehensive Services Act to cover the operational costs using child specific billing for services. The adolescents served would be CSA-mandated older adolescents in foster care with some capacity to accept court-involved youth utilizing Juvenile Court Services and other funding sources for non-mandated youth. HB 577 now requires CSA to justify out of jurisdiction placements. In FY 2005, Virginia Beach youth were served in thirteen (13) Group Homes outside the city limits at a cost of $1,036,542. Development of this site would better enable us to serve youth within the city limits. We would also build in mental health services provided by Human Services as needed. Funding was requested in the amount of $1,000,000 several years ago for this project. Due to rising construction costs, this estimate has nearly doubled. Request: The General Assembly is requested to approve an appropriation of $1.9 million dollars for the construction of a 12-bed facility to be used as a group home for CSA-mandated and non-mandated youth needing out of home placement. Operational costs would be paid with CSA funds and Juvenile Court Services funds, and other fee revenue. Page 21 2. CSA ADMINISTRATIVE ALLOCATION Terry Jenkins Department Director Human Services Background Information: The funding formula to carry out the provIsIOns of the Comprehensive Services Act defines the formula for local administrative costs based upon pool allocations from 1997. The maximum allocation any locality can receive for administrative costs is $50,000. This amount has not increased in the past 8 years, despite continuing increases in the oversight responsibilities of CSA. FY 05 expenditures for CSA in Virginia Beach were $8,460,206 million dollars, which required a supplemental request of additional state and local dollars. For FY 06, the CSA Budget is $5,479,949, which means a supplemental request will likely be needed again this year as well. Covering additional administrative costs on top of the local share of any supplemental request for child-specific services is an undue hardship. Request: The General Assembly is requested to amend Title 2.2, Chapter 52 of the Code of Virginia to increase the maximum administrative allocation to $100,000 in order to improve localities ability to meet the administrative requirements of the CSA. 3. SUPPORT FOR ADDITIONAL STATE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS Terry Jenkins Department Director Human Services and Community Groups Background Information: There continues to be substantial need in the community for mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services, as evidenced by growing waiting lists for community-based care. There also continues to be substantial needs in child- care, housing, employment, health care, and transportation for low income and disabled families. Request: The General Assembly is requested to fully fund the mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse system to meet the needs of children and adults on waiting lists for services. Additionally, the City requests that funds be made available to meet the needs Page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±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equest: The total estimated cost for design, site selection and construction of a facility is $6.7 million. While total project costs are subject to change pending the completion of the design work and bid of the project. In 2005-2006, $600,000 in City dollars was allocated to fund preliminary design work and site selection of the facility. State funding for this project was recently eliminated from the State's Biennial budget and the City is requesting that in the interest of public safety the General Assembly restore funding of at least 25% of the total proj ect. 9. TRANSPORTATION James K. Spore City Jlanager City on 'irginia Beach Background Information: Local governments under federal law are required to engage in a long-range transportation planning process. The long-range transportation plan must be both fiscally constrained and comply with air quality conformity requirements. The Hampton Roads region has been engaged for several years in the 2030 Long Range Plan and has identified a number of proj ects for funding. In addition to the six major projects that are part of the MPO package, which include, 1- 64 Improvements in the Peninsula and Chesapeake, the Third Crossing, the Mid-town Tunnel Improvements, Route 460 and the Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt - including Route 17 improvements; there are also projects in the primary, secondary and urban system that need funding. It is predicted that by 2012 that the State will be unable to build any new transportation projects and will only have funds for maintenance of existing projects. The cost for maintaining Virginia's existing roads is increasing by $50 million per year. Unless substantial funds are made available on a statewide basis, the City will continue to see a decrease in urban funds, which fund projects like Nimmo Parkway, Princess Anne Road, Shore Drive, Northampton Boulevard, Witchduck Road, Indian River Road, etc. Furthermore, Virginia Beach is at the end of the cul-de-sac that begins along interstate 1- 64 in the Richmond area and the entire region is beginning to lose its edge in economic development because of transportation issues. For instance, the City of Virginia Beach has seen a decrease of over 300,000 overnight visitors per year for the last several years because of traffic congestion issues - according to the Old Dominion University Annual Survey at the oceanfront. Furthermore, there is quantifiable data that businesses have made decisions not to increase their presence in Hampton Roads or to institute a presence in Hampton Roads because of transportation issues. Suffice to say that the timely movement of people, goods and services is vital to the economic wellbeing of our Page 26 FLWL]HQVDVZHOODVWUDIILFFRQJHVWLRQEHFRPLQJDYHU\VHYHUTXDOLW\RIOLIHLVVXH8QGHU IHGHUDOODZWKHUHJLRQWKURXJKWKH032LVUHVSRQVLEOHIRULGHQWLI\LQJSURMHFWVDQG HVWDEOLVKLQJSULRULWLHVDVLWLVWKH*HQHUDO$VVHPEO\¶VUHVSRQVLELOLW\WRIXQGWKRVH SURMHFWV 5HTXHVW  7KH*HQHUDO$VVHPEO\LVUHTXHVWHGWRIXOO\IXQGWKHVL[PDMRUSURMHFWVDVLGHQWLILHGLQ WKH032SDFNDJHZKLFKLQFOXGHVWKHDELOLW\WRWROOQHZSURMHFWVDQGH[LVWLQJSDUDOOHO IDFLOLWLHV7KHUHLVDOVR 5HTXHVW 7KH*HQHUDO$VVHPEO\LVUHTXHVWHGWRSURYLGHPLOOLRQWREHVSHQWRQWKH$TXDULXP¶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¶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ow in Phase Two of its capital improvement and endowment campaign, CAC is seeking the Commonwealth of Virginia to complete its match of the City of Virginia Beach's Phase One appropriation. This investment by the Commonwealth will enable CAC to meet increasing demands for on-site educational programs, outreach, world-class exhibitions, performances, and corporate and private functions at CAC's museum and studio school in Virginia Beach. The Commonwealth of Virginia funds requested are a direct match for the funds appropriated in Phase One from the City of Virginia Beach. The grant will be used solely for the capital improvement and endowment campaign and will fund much-needed modernization of CAC's security systems, grounds, technical capabilities, galleries and classrooms. Request: The General Assembly is requested to provide $750,000 to the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia. 13. THE SANDLER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS FUNDING Emily Spruill Director o(Cultural Af(airs City on'irginia Beach Background Information: The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, a 1200-seat, 84,000 square-foot facility, will be the cultural centerpiece of Virginia Beach, located at the core of the City's emerging Town Center. When it opens in Fall 2007, the Center will have spaces for performances, public and performer support and it will give the opportunity to expand the type and diversity of the performing arts programs in Hampton Roads and the State of Virginia. The $47 million facility, built under Virginia's PPEA process, will have a full range of amenities, meeting the needs of today and tomorrow. As a tangible demonstration of their commitment, the Virginia Beach City Council dedicated $35 million of City funds to the project. The Virginia Beach Performing Arts Center Foundation, a non-profit organization spearheaded by some of the City's top civic and business leaders, is leading a $12.5 million capital fundraising campaign. Over 70% of the goal has been raised to date. This includes $1,460,000 from the Commonwealth. The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts will have a dramatic impact to the State of Virginia's tax base, generating over $2.2 million for the construction phase and $35,500 in annual State tax revenue. We ask the State to strengthen its commitment and investment to the future of this cultural landmark and to the City as a whole, by appropriating $500,000 for the operations of the Center. The new location opening in Fall 2007 at the exciting Town Center development will become a defining asset for social development for the City and Hampton Roads. It will Page 30 EHFRPHDIRFDOSRLQWIRUVRFLDODFWLYLWLHVIURPHGXFDWLRQWRWKHDUWVDQGHQWHUWDLQPHQW DQGZLOOLOOXVWUDWHWKH6WDWH¶VGHGLFDWLRQWRIXUWKHULQJWKHFXOWXUDOOLIHRILWVFLWL]HQV 5HTXHVW 7KH*HQHUDO$VVHPEO\LVUHTXHVWHGWRDSSURSULDWHIRUWKHRSHUDWLRQVRIWKH 6DQGOHU&HQWHUIRUWKH3HUIRUPLQJ$UWV 3DJH