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104 <br />Jefferson School must: connect to Af rican Americans and African American history; <br />honor the meaning and symbolism of the building and its original use; provide some <br />degree of public access and civic purpose; and incorporate space and/or a way to tell the <br />story of Jefferson School and African Americans in Charlottesville/Albemarle. She said <br />the Task Force tested the feasibility of the "wish list." She said that two ideas that meet <br />the challenge include a library and learning center and a multi - purpose service center. <br />Ms. Means said that a final Task Force report will be submitted to Council by the end of <br />December. <br /> <br /> Councilors thanked the members of the Task Force for their hard work and for <br />their frequent communication with Council. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that Council will be scheduling a work ses sion in January on the <br />Task Force report. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he hopes members of the Task Force will stay on while Council <br />deliberates. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: TRANSIT FORUM <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, reviewed the <br />recommendations of four transit experts (Robert Cervero, G. B. Arrington, Robert <br />Dunphy, and Ignacio Bunster - Ossa) who participated in a City sponsored Transit Forum <br />on October 10 - 12. Recommendations included: agreeing to a vision, reinvesting in <br />West Main Street, im proving the shuttle, pursuing a streetcar, and developing a regional <br />Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Mr. Tolbert listed possible next steps identified at the Forum: <br />study the efficiency of the current bus routes to determine if other solutions exist; work to <br />c reate a seamless CTS/UTS system, improve the timeliness of the U. Va. trolley, begin <br />the streetscape work on West Main to entice the dense, mixed - use development desired; <br />complete the BRT feasibility study; and improve inter - jurisdictional coordination to <br />address transportation problems. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that BRT offers the advantages of but not the density <br />requirements of light rail. She said she thinks reconfiguration of the bus system would <br />boost ridership. She said she is anxious to move forward to accomplish the vision. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he hopes we can extend the trolley to Barracks Road Shopping <br />Center. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: DRUG COURT <br /> <br />th <br /> Mr. Francis Fife, 501 9 Street, S.W., said that he became aware of the extent of <br />the drug problem in Charlottesville 18 mon ths ago. He said he knows of no more <br />beneficial program than the Drug Court which costs less than jail time. Mr. Fife <br />introduced Mr. Chuck Shuller, Administrator of the Drug Court. <br /> <br /> Mr. Shuller thanked Council for their financial support of the Drug Cou rt. He <br />gave an overview of the Drug Court operations and listed the following benefits of the <br />Drug Court program: improved community safety and reduced crime; improved <br />substance abuse treatment outcomes; provision of a cost - effective community correction s <br />option; avoidance of criminal justice and public health costs; improved employment and <br />reduced economic costs of drug abuse; and help addressing the psycho social needs of <br />individuals and families. Mr. Shuller said that 60% of Drug Court clients are Cit y <br />residents. <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Shuller said that work is being <br />done across the state to advocate for funding for the Drug Court programs and to earmark <br />funding sources. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Mr. Dave Chapma n, Commonwealth <br />Attorney, said he believes the statewide effort will assure at least the same funding next <br />year as this, though he is hopeful that additional funding will be available. He said a <br />