2002-07-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Mr. Cox seconded the motio n to defer the resolution, noting that Council needs the benefit of consultation with JAUNT. The resolution was deferred by the following motion: Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None. PUBLIC th Mr. John Gai nes, 214 9 Street, N.W., President of the WCEH Neighborhood Association, said he is glad to hear that Council information is available on the web, but not everyone has computers. Mr. Gaines said that no predominantly African - American neighborhood assoc iation was asked to support the Lewis Mountain Neighborhood in their fight against the garage. Mr. Gaines said he cannot have confidence in the City, and referred to Council inviting only one group in for their School Board interviews. Mr. Gaines said Co uncil should question the University on their hiring practices, especially City residents. Mr. Art Lichtenberger said he made a good faith effort to e - mail or call everyone on the neighborhood association list. th Mr. Francis Fife, 501 9 Street, S.W. co mmended Council for diverting funds to the Drug Court, and suggested that Council write to the State encouraging them to fully fund this very effective program. Ms. Barbara Myers, Hampton Street, said that Council seems to lose control at the point of Re quest for Proposals, and recommended that they spend more time developing questions. Ms. Myers said community groups have been told they are unable to use Jefferson School for meetings. Mr. O'Connell said that the absence of staff at Jefferson School is the reason that meetings are no longer allowed to be held there, but said that may need to be rethought. Mr. Cox said the point is well taken and he would like to see if that can be facilitated. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said at the last me eting he spoke about the th previous plan to put a pocket park on 6 Street, and now he finds that the proposal is to open it up to traffic at the request of one of the property owners. Mr. Kleeman said he hopes Council will work out what it is going to be. Mr. O'Connell said the proposal was to create a park, but it was not funded. Cars have been repeatedly damaging the property because they were having to back out of the one way, dead - end street. Mr. O'Connell said staff has been working with the prope rty owners, and said that the ultimate intent is to do a much nicer project. Ms. Richards said that as part of the Court Square project it was recommended that the street be closed at Jefferson Street, but that was not possible. Mr. Cox asked if it wou ld be possible to increase the greenery on the street and reduce the road width. Mr. O'Connell said staff can bring back a proposal. OTHER BUSINESS Council reconvened in closed session. On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Ms. Richards, Counci l certified (Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None.) that, to the best of each Council Member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freed om of Information Act and identified in the motion convening the closed session were heard, discussed or considered in the closed session.