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4 Mr. Caravati complimented Virginia Power on the work of their line crews, but s aid he feels their information dissemination was bad. He said he hopes they will really focus on getting information out to the public. He said even City staff were unable to reach Virginia Power for information. He said the majority of complaints he hea rd were about citizens' inability to get information. He said he found the absence of the Red Cross despicable. He said one problem is our failure to take care of or cut down trees that impact power lines. Mr. Toms said that Virginia Power tried to kee p the 911 Center and the media updated daily. He said Virginia Power's policy was to work on lines that would return power to the largest number of people first. Mr. Cox said there is the opportunity in the future for greater coordination between the Ci ty, County and University, and said they could be the conduit for Virginia Power information and should be considered partners with Virginia Power. Mr. Cox said the Charlottesville area was very fortunate compared to other localities affected by the hurri cane. Mr. Cox asked if costs incurred by the City will be covered by disaster relief. Mr. O'Connell said that the City will be submitting disaster relief requests to FEMA, and said he thinks most expenses will be eligible. Ms. Richards seconded what M r. Schilling and Mr. Caravati said about the information hot line. She said information such as where to find ice should have been provided. She said there needs to be a central clearing house. She said the City should have made an effort to bring ice f rom Crozet into the City. PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE : CLOSING ALLEY OFF MONTPELIER STREET Ms. Mary Joy Scala, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, explained that the request is to close a 15 foot wide, 150 long alley. Ms. Scala reviewed the bac kground of the request, and noted that an affected property owner opposes closing of the alley, which would allow the applicant to build additional housing. Ms. Scala said that if the alley is not closed, the applicant cannot make a conforming lot to buil d the housing. Ms. Scala said the Planning Commission recommended denial of the alley closing. The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Ms. Richards said that without the participation of other adjac ent property owners, she does not see much merit to this application, and made a motion to deny the alley closing. Mr. Caravati seconded the motion. The request to close an alley off Montpelier Street was denied by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Carava ti, Mr. Cox, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None. Absent: Mr. Lynch. APPEAL : BAR DECISION RE: 224 COURT SQUARE Mr. O'Connell said that the Board of Architectural Review's decision to deny partial demolition of a wall at 224 Court Square is bein g appealed to Council. Mr. O'Connell said there is an ongoing legal dispute between the owner of this property and the adjacent property owner. Ms. Mary Jo Scala, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, reviewed the history of the building which i s in the downtown architectural design control district. It was built in the 1930's and was repaired in 1961. The applicant is requesting that the brick parapet wall be removed and replaced with siding. Ms. Scala said that the applicant is under court o rder to remove the wall in order to separate the buildings. Ms. Scala said the wall encroaches on the adjacent building 1 inch in the front and 9 inches in the rear. Ms. Scala said the applicant's architect recommends partial demolition to satisfy the co urt