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2 said that the community and businesses have not been part of the process so far and the project seems in a rush mode. Mr. M ike Farrugio, 316 Monte Vista Avenue, President of the Fry's Spring Neighborhood Association, said that the Association favors the planned improvements on Fontaine Avenue and is disappointed that the project has been put on the back burner by Council. Mr. Farrugio asked that the project go forward as soon as possible with the least amount of widening as possible. Mr. Farrugio said this is seen as necessary for safety reasons. Mr. James Spence, 714 Northwood Avenue, son of a business owner on Grady Avenu e, referring to Preston Commons, said he thinks it is a good idea to build apartments, but not in that area as it would not be good for kids or pets. Mr. John Coleman, co - founder of Central Battery on Grady Avenue, thanked Mr. Cox and Mr. Huja for their recent presentation on Preston Commons, but voiced concern about the cloak of secrecy around Mr. Huja's office and his projects. Mr. Coleman asked the City Manager's office to look further into this issue. Mr. Coleman said that the citizen survey was use d as a justification for this project, but it shows that citizens value open space which this project will destroy. Mr. Cox thanked business owners who came out and expressed concern about Preston Commons, and said he thinks it is appropriate to extend t he RFP deadline. Ms. Richards asked that the Fry's Spring and Jefferson Park Avenue Neighborhood Associations meet with her and review the recommendations for Fontaine Avenue. Ms. Richards asked Mr. Farrugio and the City Manager's office to help set up the meeting. Regarding zoning ordinance concerns, Mr. Cox said that the process is being slowed down, and stressed that the goal is to enhance those neighborhoods. Mr. Cox said that an educational period regarding the proposed ordinance is needed. PRES ENTATION : PIEDMONT VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT Dr. Frank Friedman, President of Piedmont Virginia Community College, introduced the City's representatives on the PVCC Board. Dr. Friedman said enrollment at PVCC is increasing and 23% of student s are City residents. Dr. Friedman said the challenge is to increase the number of students in the bio - tech program. He said that the Connected Community Center has been successful and a goal of PVCC is to move people from public housing to living wage j obs. Dr. Friedman said that the main building at PVCC will be renovated and the recent approval of State bonds will provide $5 million for a new science facility building. Mr. Cox said that PVCC and the community have an extraordinary partnership and PV CC is a college that works. REPORT : COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Ms. Ruth Stone, Chair of the Commission on Children and Families, said that the Commission will focus on the impact of family violence for the next few years, and asked Council to join in the effort to address this issue. Ms. Stone said that the Commission's four primary areas are: identifying community needs; engaging the community in planning and decision making, facilitating and implementing coordinated strategies; and recomme nding the investment of state and local resources. Ms. Saphira Baker, Director of the Commission on Children and Families, said that research has focused on juvenile offenders and what is driving the negative indicators. Family violence came out as the main indicator. Ms. Baker said that there is an extremely high foster care rate in Charlottesville and a multi - disciplinary task force was launched to bring about community change.