2004-06-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 intersection. She said the City could bargain with the two City owned lots. She said discussion of this project should not be done in closed session. Mr. Gerald Clore, 3191 Rye Hollow Lan e, spoke against redevelopment of the amphitheater. He said it is a public space for people to be together and Council should not throw away this valuable public benefit. Ms. Leora Brown said she agrees with Mr. Clore's comments about the amphitheater. She asked what the need is for a transit center and suggested that the $6 million be spent instead on the current transit system. Ms. Judy DeLoache, 3191 Rye Hollow Lane, echoed the previous speakers about the amphitheater. She said the number one acti vity for visitors is Friday After Five. She said she does not care about the quality of the bands that play. She asked that the amphitheater not be changed. Mr. John Cruickshank, 700 Spring Lake Drive, Earlysville, representing the Piedmont Chapter of t he Sierra Club, asked Council to take an official position opposing the power plant proposed for North Anna. He said we need to find cheaper, more environmentally safe electricity. Ms. Helena Day, 151 Buckingham Circle, representing the Center for Peace and Justice, asked Council to sign a letter opposing the power plant. She said it will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and radiation leaks will increase as the reactors age. Mr. Abhaya Thiele, 406 Key West Drive, representing the People's Allian ce for Clean Energy, said that nuclear waste is harmful. She expressed concern about transportation of nuclear waste and asked why the community should be endangered. Ms. Thiele urged Council to sign a letter opposing the power plant. Ms. Gwen Beavers, 905 Elliot Avenue, representing the Virginia Federation for the Blind, expressed concern about obstacles such as signs, chairs and tables with no clear pattern on the downtown mall. She also expressed concern about bushes growing over sidewalks. Ms. Viv ian Stein, 118 Westwood Circle, representing the Downtown Business Association, supported the new amphitheater project, and said it will be an asset to citizens and will have a positive economic impact on downtown. She said the amphitheater will build on downtown being an entertainment center. She expressed support for the lease agreement. Mr. Downing Smith, 810 Locust Avenue, said he would like to know what the City is getting for its $6.6 million computer system. He said he is interested in how the C ity is spending its money and feels more timely information is needed. He said the City needs to disseminate information to citizens better. Ms. Virginia Amiss, 628 Watson Avenue, echoed comments made by Mr. Smith. She said we need more open and honest government. She expressed disappointment with this Council. She said a better location is needed for the transit center; the computer system is too expensive; and handicapped parking will be eliminated and access to City Hall restricted. She said the C ity penalizes people who conserve water and the cost of trash stickers is too high. She said the design of the transit center is not in keeping with the architecture of this area. Mr. Cox said that Neighborhood Development Services is looking into the i ssue of obstructions on the downtown mall. He noted that a Fridays After Five type event will not be discontinued at the amphitheater and it is part of the agreement. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. Richards asked about the discrepancy in the size of cypress trees to be planted as part of the special permit on Elliott Avenue, and Ms. Lisa Kelley, Deputy City