2005-02-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL CHAMBER- February 22, 2005 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Absent: Ms. Hamilton. PUBLIC Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said that the conclusion of the previous Meadowcreek Parkway study was that the intersection portion of the project must be pursued, but he urged Council not to move blindly ahead. He said he does not have enough confidence in it being a workable solution to commit to pay back the funds. Mr. Kleeman recommended that the City step back and take a second thought at managing the Hillsdale Drive project. Dr. Brown noted that no action will be taken tonight on either the Meadowcreek Parkway or Hillsdale Drive projects due to the absence of Ms. Hamilton. Mr. Robert Metzger, 1114 Mill Park Drive, a neighborhood adjacent to the proposed Hillsdale Drive Extension, supported the no build solution. He said the Meadowcreek Parkway should be built and there is also a need for a bypass and traffic relief on Pantops Mountain. He urged Council to think long term and said more traffic is not needed on Hillsdale. Mr. Stratton Salidas, 110 Kent Terrace, opposed spending $1.5 million on the intersection for Meadowcreek Parkway as he opposes the Parkway. He suggested that the money be spent instead on bus service or on people in the City. He said there are serious legal issues regarding using federal money for roads in parkland and moving of the Vietnam Memorial. Mr. Richard Collins, 108 Wilson Court, said that a Section 4 freview will be required if federal funds are used for the Meadowcreek Parkway intersection design study. He recommended that the public be informed about the entire package before spending money on the design. He said that if the City goes forward with a design, that an overpass be studied as an alternate. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Road, a member of CHART Committee, said that CHART has examined the Meadowcreek Parkway issue thoroughly. He said he previously opposed the Parkway, but is now convinced that we need it. He said that Hillsdale Drive Extension is also part of a network of roads and is a way to get people who are shopping off the main roads, and he feels that project is also very important. Mr. Kenneth Jackson, 1437 Rugby Avenue, said that Councilors have not responded adequately about rising taxes, the ward study, CityLink, benefits for public safety employees, funding for schools, addressing the achievement gap in schools, and water supply issues. Ms. Virginia Amiss, 628 Watson Avenue, expressed concern that she had asked at the last meeting that Council eliminate $5,000 for Art in Place and then Council voted to spend another $5,000 on art. She said that an eastern connector road is needed in case there is a need to exit the City in an attack. She said if that is built then perhaps an at grade intersection for the Meadowcreek Parkway would be sufficient. Ms. Amiss recommended that plans be shelved for the Hillsdale Drive Extension. CONSENT AGENDA Dr. Brown said that the request to use $5,000 of Council's special event funds for the Besancon art exhibit has been deferred. Mr. Lynch removed approval of the minutes from the consent agenda. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Caravati, the following consent agenda items were approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling (except that Mr. Schilling voted no on the $30,000 appropriation for