Hood Council Meeting: Patar 2001

Hood Council Meeting
Patar 2001
Attendees: Fiona Kent, Carmela Herendez, Rebecca Wilsonoff, Johan Shazad, Julio Wilsonoff

Agenda
Tax Collection
Hood Council Salary Saving Methods

The hood council meeting comes to a start with Rebecca Wilsonoff noting the collection from the recent tax day.

"§61,000 was collected from registered Apple Valley residents while §150,000 was collected from tourist fees and usage fees. A grand total of §211,000 is available until 2004 when another tax collection will be due."

"I have some somber news. The economy isn't getting any better anytime soon. I know it's tempting to look at raising salaries for the hood council, but we will not be doing that. Already we cut one position and we trying to save the other position, but we can not afford to increase the salaries of hood employees."

"We still need to cut salaries after we agreed to publish the newspaper solely online?"

"Yes, even so. I think that a fixed rate, the same amount as the other council members, would help the situation, but this position does a lot of work and §1,000 every term, or seven years, will not be enough. If you have any other ideas about reducing our salary expenses, please notify the council."

"Will we still have money left for the Spirit of the Community awards in 2002?" Carmela asked.

"We will, however we will need to cut corners as much as possible."

Fiona opens the floor for proposals from each council member.

"Personally, I would love to see a theater for the children and residents. We need more culture options in the hood. Let's start with Carmela."



Carmela agrees. "My proposal does include a theater. Two in fact. An amphitheater at the Alisa Crawston Park for casual outdoor performances and another formal theater on Apple Valley Metro for more classical performances like ballet and violin concerts."

Fiona nods, "This would go very well with the musuem you proposed the other day, Rebecca. Perhaps you and Carmela can meet and combine your proposals. Let's see if we can save some money by combining them."

"We won't need to even spend money on this proposal." Julio interjected.

"Excuse me?"

"Apple Valley Metro confirmed that they are doing some intense construction over the next 16 months. The metro center would include musuems, theaters and other cultural buildings."

Johan nods. "I hope to see both buildings soon. The children need more exposure to culture and life. I can provide them with the basics such as algebra and simlish history, but I would like to start increasing the field trips for the children beyond the school yard."

"Before we can even think about more field trips," Julio interrupts. "We need to give parents the tools they need for raising thier children. I see so many children in the clinic for simple reasons that education of our parents could have avoided...dehydration, lack of exercise and the all too common 'sitting in front of the tv-itis'."

Carmela agrees. "My last report on the aging and health of the hood reflected the same thing. I agree that money should be spent on parent education as well as ensuring that our children are exposed to healthy alternatives besides sugary snacks and TV shows."

"Didn't we just install vending machines in the school?" Fiona asked Rebecca and Johan. "Are we contributing to the problem?"

Rebecca nodded. "We still can't justify hiring a full time cook for the school lunches and encourage students to bring thier lunch. However, if a student forgets thier lunch, we need to provide some form of substance even if it is a sugary drink. The extra simoleans are going towards the school as well. Correct, Johan?"

Johan nodded. "The money does help with minor repairs and school supplies. Speaking of repairs, Lyndon couldn't make it to the meeting and asked me to present his proposal. If that's ok?"

"Continue."

"The church is in desperate need of a renovation. The space is too small for weddings and Lyndon proposes adding a second floor for wedding celebrations and a small banquet hall. Also, the graveyard is in need of more landscaping and better lighting."

Fiona nodded.

"Any one else would like to add anything to the meeting?"

"Yes," Carmela spoke up. "We still need a place where pet owners can take thier animals."

"We could simply add pet facilities to the existing parks instead of creating another park." Johan added.

"Especially since we are building the Children's Park."

"I agree to that," Carmela sighed, "but we need to get the pets registered. Especially since we're overlooking a big money maker in pet fees."

"Let's be realistic, there are not many pets in the hood...maybe three. How much could we earn from them?"

"§3,000 each tax collection year from the pet tax, as well as §500 a pet for registration fees."

"Honestly, I don't think that would even begin to help our budget, the expenses would be too great and the income too little."

"Let's table that proposal until the number of pets increase."

"Any other proposals, please submit them before the next meeting."

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Results of the meeting

Church renovation=§15,000

Adapting existing parks with pet facilities=§2,000

Alisa Crawston Amphitheater=§5,000

Apple Valley Children's Park=§100,000

Outstanding Loans-Jonagold Shoppes I and Jonagold Shoppes II=§110,000

Spirit of the Community Award=§8,000

Hood Council Salaries=§8,000

Total Budgeted For=§242,000

Remaining= -§31,000

Loan, 2001-2004,=§100,000

Remaining=§69,000