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18 <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch made reference to comments by the public about Council rushing into <br />a decision on this issue, but he noted that Council started looking at this issue in 2001. <br />He said that at the request of the Council, the General Assembly passed legislation that <br />allows the elections to occur in November of odd years or in even years. He said Council <br />discussion in ensuing months resulted in a feeling that it would be better to move the <br />elections to odd years so they would match with state elections, which gets to the issue of <br />focusing on local issues. He said that Council discussed the issue again in January of <br />2004, but waited until July so that the vote would affect all current Councilors and not <br />future Councilors. He said he looks forward to making Council elections more <br />productive. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he sees this issue as separate from those being studied by the <br />Elections Study Task Force, and does not feel one depends on the other. He said Ms. <br />Lewis summed up a lot of his feeling. He noted that moving the elections was a <br />unanimous recommendation by both the Task Force appointed by Council to look at <br />moving the elections and the Electoral Board. He said he would like the move to occur <br />as soon as possible, but is personally uneasy when someone does not want to have their <br />term shortened. Dr. Brown said he will support either the motion on the table or an <br />amended motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling made a motion to amend the ordinance to move the Council <br />elections to November of 2007, and Dr. Brown seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he cannot support the amendment and will not vote to limit the <br />term of anybody who is not here. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown summarized changes in the ordinance that would occur should the <br />amendment be approved. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling thanked Dr. Brown for doing the right thing and for taking an <br />ethical and principled approach. <br /> <br /> The amendment was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. <br />Hamilton, Mr. Schilling. Noes: Mr. Caravati and Mr. Lynch. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati expressed concern about binding future Councilors. <br /> <br /> The ordinance "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 2 <br />OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE BY ADDING THEREIN A <br />NEW NUMBERED SECTION 2-35, THAT PROVIDES FOR CITY COUNCIL <br />ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE ON THE DATE OF THE NOVEMBER GENERAL <br />ELECTION BEGINNING IN 2007," as amended, which was offered at the July 6th <br />meeting, was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. <br />Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: Mr. Caravati. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING/APPROPRIATION: $2,687,500 -PURCHASE OF <br />HEDGEROW PROPERTIES (2nd reading) <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown explained that Council has previously approved the resolution <br />authorizing the City Manager to sign the agreement to purchase the property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling asked how this relates to the resolution authorizing the cost share <br />agreement for the property, and said he is hesitant to go forward if there are reservations <br />about the other agreement. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown said that this appropriation provides the funds to pay for the property. <br />He said the other agreement is the cost sharing for the purchase and operations of the <br />property. He said that due to time constraints by the seller, the City and County have <br /> <br /> <br />