2003-11-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 problem. She said the neighborhood wants the street blocked near Northeast Park until an Eastern Connector is built. Mr. Neil Williamson, 550 Hillsdale Drive, Executi ve Director of the Free Enterprise Forum, spoke in favor of transferring property for the Meadowcreek Parkway. He said the Parkway is one solution to the region's traffic problems. Mr. Patrick Boyd, 709 Lyons Court Lane, said that traffic is one of the s ymptoms of growth in the area and feels that the Meadowcreek Parkway is part of the solution. He urged Council to complete the transfer of land and build the Parkway as soon as possible. rd Ms. Joan Fenton, 105 3 Street, N.E. suggested that a bike rack be put in front of City Hall as bicycles block the handicapped ramp into City Hall. She suggested that Council discuss having meetings at an earlier time because people do not want to stay up so late and Council may not always make the best decisions when i t is so late. Mr. Jeff Bialy, 117 Alderman Road, said he thinks the transfer of land for the Meadowcreek Parkway should be done. He said that traffic has been reduced on Alderman Road since the garage on Ivy Road has opened. Ms. Amy Lemley, 1410 Hazel S treet, owner of an antique shop on the downtown mall that will open soon, said that the mall is striving now, but asked Council to voice its commitment to downtown by approving the BAR appeal for signs at York Place. She said that York Place is in essence an indoor side street and needs signs similar to those used for side street businesses. Ms. Alicia Lugo, 515 Brown Street, spoke regarding the TeenSight loan that is part of the Year End Appropriation. She said that several years ago FOCUS was awarded a job training contract and Council was asked to loan funds because the money did not come to FOCUS until after the training was provided. She said FOCUS stands prepared to pay back the loan if asked by the City even though it will hurt them. She said FOC US has served over 500 clients through the program and feels it has been a good investment for the City. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said it was disconcerting to hear that Council held a discussion about the Meadowcreek Parkway in closed session. He said there is a question about whether the Parkway will increase or solve traffic problems. He said this issue should be discussed in the public domain and the entire community should be included in the decision. Mr. Frank Stoner, 240 Chestnut Oak L ane, said he has seen the signs requested by York Place and feels they are beautiful. He said he thinks the efforts to regulate have gone awry. He said he hopes the Meadowcreek Parkway can move forward and said it is a project that retains solid support. Mr. Stratton Salidas, 110 Kent Terrace, said a constitutional provision requires four Councilors to approve the sale of park land. He said he has heard that Council has discussed conveying the land by easement and thinks that circumvents the Constituti on. He suggested that funds for Phase I of Meadowcreek Parkway be used for walking, biking and public transportation. Mr. John Potter, 1208 Bland Circle, said he feels the Meadowcreek Parkway is a short term solution. He said we need to look at alternat e solutions and redirect funds for transit. Mr. Cox noted that at a previous Council meeting the majority of Council asked that conveying the property for Meadowcreek Parkway by easement be investigated. He said the City Attorney has looked at that optio n. He said that conveying property will require a full public hearing and process. Mr. Caravati said that the intent of the closed session was to hear advice from the City Attorney and staff on the disposition of property as Council always does.