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253 <br /> <br />more emphasis may need to be put on connector roads. <br /> <br /> Ms, Waters noted concern that the connector roads <br />referred toby Mr. Akin might be through City neighborhoods. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sours stated that he felt it was important to keep <br />the issue of an entrance and exit to the North Grounds of the <br />University on the negotiating table with the University. <br /> <br /> Parking and traffic concerns related to the University <br />were discussed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Akin stated that he felt increased parking and <br />traffic pressures will be put on neighborhoods surrounding <br />the University. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sours stated that it is his understanding that the <br />University has recommended making Jefferson Park Avenue a <br />local street only in the future and recommended continued <br />monitoring by the City of this situation. <br /> <br /> Priority neighborhoods were discussed and Mr. Hendrix <br />explained that the 9th/10th Street connector road in <br />Fifeville has been held up because it is tied in with <br />negotiations with the railroad over the West Main Street <br />railroad crossing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Blake Caravati, Planning Commission member, stated <br />that he felt it was important to track the Fifeville <br />neighborhood plan. Mr. Caravati expressed concern about the <br />potential loss of affordable housing, especially rental <br />property, in Fifevi!le. Mr. Caravati stated that he felt the <br />City should work more towards providing CDBG funds for <br />housing needs rather than infrastructure improvements in <br />target neighborhoods. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt it was necessary to use <br />CDBG funds for some infrastructure improvements because <br />funding was not available from other sources to make the <br />improvements. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that some preliminary discussions had <br />been held regarding the advantages and disadvantages of <br />combining the architectural review boards and Historic <br />Landmarks Commission, with the goal being to eliminate <br />overlapping jurisdictions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Akin stated that he has asked the City Attorney's <br />office to draft an ordinance taking advantage of new State <br />legislation regarding tree preservation. Mr. Akin stated <br />that he felt the City needed an inventory of trees and a <br />solid tree replacement policy. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters noted concern about the time required of City <br />staff to deal with a tree inventory and enforcement of a tree <br />policy. <br /> <br />The undergrounding of utilities was discussed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that Council's position was to <br />underground utilities where possible, but did not support a <br />major undergrounding effort because of the high cost. <br /> <br /> Mr. Akin stated that, at his request, students in the <br />Systems Engineering Department at the University will conduct <br />a complete study on the management of utilities, including <br />undergrounding and the potential for City ownership. Mr. <br />Akin stated that his intent was to determine how the City can <br />more effectively have control over the utilities. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sours noted concern with possible bias of the study <br />and recommended that the study be coordinated through the <br />City Manager's office. <br /> <br /> <br />