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2 <br />problem. She said the neighborhood wants the street blocked near Northeast Park until <br />an Eastern Connector is built. <br /> <br />Mr. Neil Williamson, 550 Hillsdale Drive, Executi ve Director of the Free <br />Enterprise Forum, spoke in favor of transferring property for the Meadowcreek Parkway. <br />He said the Parkway is one solution to the region's traffic problems. <br /> <br />Mr. Patrick Boyd, 709 Lyons Court Lane, said that traffic is one of the s ymptoms <br />of growth in the area and feels that the Meadowcreek Parkway is part of the solution. He <br />urged Council to complete the transfer of land and build the Parkway as soon as possible. <br /> <br />rd <br />Ms. Joan Fenton, 105 3 Street, N.E. suggested that a bike rack be put in front of <br />City Hall as bicycles block the handicapped ramp into City Hall. She suggested that <br />Council discuss having meetings at an earlier time because people do not want to stay up <br />so late and Council may not always make the best decisions when i t is so late. <br /> <br />Mr. Jeff Bialy, 117 Alderman Road, said he thinks the transfer of land for the <br />Meadowcreek Parkway should be done. He said that traffic has been reduced on <br />Alderman Road since the garage on Ivy Road has opened. <br /> <br />Ms. Amy Lemley, 1410 Hazel S treet, owner of an antique shop on the downtown <br />mall that will open soon, said that the mall is striving now, but asked Council to voice its <br />commitment to downtown by approving the BAR appeal for signs at York Place. She <br />said that York Place is in essence an indoor side street and needs signs similar to those <br />used for side street businesses. <br /> <br />Ms. Alicia Lugo, 515 Brown Street, spoke regarding the TeenSight loan that is <br />part of the Year End Appropriation. She said that several years ago FOCUS was awarded <br />a job training contract and Council was asked to loan funds because the money did not <br />come to FOCUS until after the training was provided. She said FOCUS stands prepared <br />to pay back the loan if asked by the City even though it will hurt them. She said FOC US <br />has served over 500 clients through the program and feels it has been a good investment <br />for the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said it was disconcerting to hear that <br />Council held a discussion about the Meadowcreek Parkway in closed session. He said <br />there is a question about whether the Parkway will increase or solve traffic problems. He <br />said this issue should be discussed in the public domain and the entire community should <br />be included in the decision. <br /> <br />Mr. Frank Stoner, 240 Chestnut Oak L ane, said he has seen the signs requested by <br />York Place and feels they are beautiful. He said he thinks the efforts to regulate have <br />gone awry. He said he hopes the Meadowcreek Parkway can move forward and said it is <br />a project that retains solid support. <br /> <br />Mr. Stratton Salidas, 110 Kent Terrace, said a constitutional provision requires <br />four Councilors to approve the sale of park land. He said he has heard that Council has <br />discussed conveying the land by easement and thinks that circumvents the Constituti on. <br />He suggested that funds for Phase I of Meadowcreek Parkway be used for walking, <br />biking and public transportation. <br /> <br />Mr. John Potter, 1208 Bland Circle, said he feels the Meadowcreek Parkway is a <br />short term solution. He said we need to look at alternat e solutions and redirect funds for <br />transit. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox noted that at a previous Council meeting the majority of Council asked <br />that conveying the property for Meadowcreek Parkway by easement be investigated. He <br />said the City Attorney has looked at that optio n. He said that conveying property will <br />require a full public hearing and process. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said that the intent of the closed session was to hear advice from the <br />City Attorney and staff on the disposition of property as Council always does. <br />