2003-01-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Ms. Julie Jones, 621 Hinton Avenue, said she supports the peace resolution and supports forming the Housing Policy Task Force. She asked that Friends of Equitable and Affordable Housing (FEAH), be represented on the Task Force as well as social workers, PHAR, AHIP, etc. and that the process be fully open to the public. Mr. Ben Walter, 219 Montevista Avenue, supported the peace resolution, and said Council should take up the issue because it will end up costing $60 - $80 billion, we will each be less safe if we attack Iraq, and our friends and families will go off to war. Mr. Walter said President Bush is leading us down a road to total annihilation. Mr. David Repass, 227 E. Jefferson Street, supported the peace resolution and n oted parallels between a possible war with Iraq and Vietnam. Mr. Repass said he feels we are being lied to, there is no direct threat to the U. S. from Iraq, and no end strategy. Mr. Cox congratulated the Center for Peace and Justice for a powerful resol ution and their organization brought to this issue. He said he is encouraged by their presence and is willing to put the issue on the upcoming agenda and have a resolution drafted that reflects the opinion of Council. Mr. Caravati agreed with Mr. Cox, a nd suggested that Council talk among themselves and other citizens to come up with the best resolution. Mr. Caravati said he would like to make clear Council's support for our armed forces in a resolution. Ms. Richards agreed with Mr. Caravati, and said that many people have family and friends who are being deployed. Ms. Richards said she thinks it is Council's obligation and constitutional right to pass such a resolution. PRESENTATION : FUTURE VISION FOR CITY Mr. Cox reviewed the Comprehensive Plan process and Council's guiding principles. He then gave a power point presentation on the following: extending downtown arts precinct; economic development downtown; public investment as a catalyst for revitalization; public/private partnerships; private investments downtown; commercial corridors; and major future residential projects. Mr. Schilling said he appreciate Mr. Cox's efforts in pulling together his presentation, and said there are many points of agreement. He said thought that he takes issue with it being Council's vision. He said he only today saw the presentation and there has been no time for questions. Mr. Schilling said he has questions about the transit center, prioritization of corridors, Preston Commons, and the zoning ordinance, an d he looks forward to discussing these more in the future. Mr. Cox said that visions evolve over years and he looks forward to input from Councilors. PRESENTATION : THOMAS JEFFERSON PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Mr. Lindy Cockman, Chairman of t he Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development, said that Charlottesville became a founding member of the Partnership in 1996. He said that the Partnership conducted a survey in all jurisdictions and embarked on a capital campaign in 2000. He s aid a business assistance director has been added, a new website has been developed, and a strategic plan has been developed. Mr. Koffman said one of the key challenges for the Partnership is development of appropriate work force. Mr. Robert De Mauri, E xecutive Director of the Partnership, said the program is expanding to include business assistance. He said the way we do economic development is changing, and attention is being focused on education and training. He said an issue is the disparity betwee n incomes and cost of living in Charlottesville. He said the Partnership is still in the business recruitment mode, especially for bio - tech businesses.