2008-04-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Mr. Mike Svetz, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented City shirts to the AmeriCorps volunteers, and recognized Susan Pleiss of Parks and Recreation staff for having the vision to bring the AmeriCorps program to Charlottesville. PUBLIC Ms. Megan Jetton, 120 Dogwood Heights, Scottsville, thanked Councilors for their positive comments and support for the resolution supporting the establishment of a Federal Department of Peace and Nonviolence. Dr. Joe Mooney, 201 Sunset Avenue, presented a news release from 1998 regarding dredging of the Delaware River and use of the dredged materials at their airport, which he said is a similar situation to Charlottesville. Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, President of North Downtown Residents Association, said she has been asked by the NDRA Board to express concern about thth returning 4 Street south of Water Street to two-way traffic in conjunction with the 4 Street crossing of the Mall. She said the neighborhood will become a cut-through route. Mr. Downing Smith, 810 Locust Avenue, said that friends have told him that the water supply can be fixed for $50 million rather than the much higher figure proposed. Referring to an article in The Hook, he said that incorrect information may have been given to City and County officials about dredging and the matter should be looked at again. He said he does not want to have his water rates go up due to uncontrolled growth in Albemarle County. nd Mr. Richard Berman, 205-A 2 Street, N.W., said that since McGuffey Park has been renovated it has had increased usage. He said lots of kids use the parks and a portapotty is needed. Mr. Ridge Schuyler, Executive Director of the Nature Conservancy, 112 Robinson Wood Drive, said that the Rivanna River Basin Commission was approved by the State in 2004 and established in 2007. He said $360,000 has been raised to date with the goal of tackling the threat of sedimentation. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Road, said that a house in his neighborhood was sold for $300,000 less than the assessed value, but the assessment did not change. He said he does not trust the assessment process. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, noted that he had previously sent material th to Council regarding the 4 Street mall crossing. He said the design is different than the last opportunity for public comment. He said the design was originally said to cost $1 million, but now there is no cost, and he questioned what we are not getting. He said he thinks the crossing is the most heavily trafficked street downtown. He said he has not seen any strong positives to keeping the crossing permanent, and asked that Council delay a decision about the crossing. COUNCIL RESPONSES TO MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC th Dr. Brown said he agrees with Ms. Hall about opening 4 Street to two-way traffic, and said that if it is opened, we should collect traffic counts before and after it is made two way. Dr. Brown said he thinks Mr. Pfaltz was reckless with his language about assessments, and noted that it may just be an issue of the time lag between a sale and the assessment. Mr. O’Connell said that it is his understanding that sales during the calendar year are reflected in the assessments. Dr. Brown said he thinks assessments will be decreasing in the City. Referring to comments made by Mr. Smith, Dr. Brown encouraged him to read about dredging on Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority’s website. He said The Hook article contains misinformation. He said we cannot dredge and get enough water for a 50 year plan. He