2002-12-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL CHAMBER - December 16, 2002 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS : CITY EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION Mr. Cox recognized the efforts of Firefighters Andy Powley and Chris Hucek in assisting a woman fleeing domestic violence whose car had broken down late at night in Charlottesville. Mr. Cox said that at the suggestion of Mr. Schilling, Council will regularly recognize extraordi nary efforts of City employees. PUBLIC Mr. Stephen Bach, 1208 Merriwether Street, urged Council to adopt and implement the Bike and Pedestrian Plan. He said he is disappointed that only 10 miles of bike lanes have been built to date. Mr. Bach suggeste d that road repairs be delayed or the car decal increased by $1 in order to fund additional bike lanes. Ms. Mary MacNeil, Rosa Terrace, suggested that Council approve the Bike and Pedestrian Plan with modifications or revisions. She suggested that all r ecreational bike recommendations be removed as they are already being done, and on - street bike lanes focused on, especially from neighborhoods to the University of Virginia. Ms. MacNeil suggested that the Plan be forwarded to the Alliance for Community Ch oice in Transportation (ACCT) or the Metropolitan Planning Organization for their input. Ms. Karen Firehock, 500 McIntire Road, a member of the Planning Commission, said she thinks there is a lot of useful information in the Bike Plan, but said she would like to get a better sense of how it will be implemented. Ms. Kendra Hamilton, 620 Booker Street, representing the Rose Hill Neighborhood Association, referring to the proposed Housing Policy Task Force, suggested that problems be defined first. She ur ged Council not to forget about people who are most vulnerable. Regarding the composition, she expressed concern that only one neighborhood representative is recommended to be on the Task Force. Ms. Holly Hatcher, 717 Graves Street, said that the goals of the Housing Policy Task Force seem to be on target, but also expressed concern about the composition. She suggested that residents from all income levels be including, and that there be two or three more seats for neighborhood representatives or agenci es that represent them. st Ms. Kathy Icenhour, 500 South 1 Street, questioned what affordable housing means, and asked Council to consider low income residents and safety issues. Mr. John Col0eman, co - founded of Central Battery on Grady Avenue, said he would like to clarify his opposition to the proposed Preston Commons development. He said great ideas of mixed use development are tied to this fatally flawed project; the project was not proposed in the Torti Gallas study; the citizen survey shows suppo rt for preservation of open spaces which this will destroy; the traffic study was fundamentally flawed; attempts to Band - Aid the process are seen as ignorance or arrogance; and the overwhelming opinion is that the idea is stupid. Mr. Coleman asked Council to stop the RFP process. REPORT : HISTORIC RESOURCES TASK FORCE Mr. Satyendra Huja, Director of Strategic Planning, explained that the charge of the Historic Resources Task Force, is to deal with history in a very positive way and to preserve and enhan ce history. Mr. Mark Beliles, Chairman of the Task Force, reviewed the charge of the Task Force. He said that main accomplishments of the Task Force have been publication of a