2005-05-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 PUBLIC Ms. Betty Amiss, 1501 Chesapeake Street, speaking again about sidewalks on Chesapeake Street, said she has attempted to deal with the neighborhood association. She said she has been taking the plans house to house. She expressed concern about the process and about the random placing of signs noticing neighborhood meetings. She said she has been getting conflicting comments from staff. She said she has due process questions and questions about who has standing. Mr. Schilling asked that the City Attorney respond to Ms. Amiss' concerns. Mr. Lynch said there is a difference between the neighborhood association process and the CIP process. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Schilling raised the issue of the pedestrian crossing at Clark School. He said Planning Commissioner Karen Firehock had sent an e-mail expressing concern that the traffic calming process did not occur in this situation and was told it was a safety project, but she said it was hard to get information. He said he found it troubling when he got this e-mail, but is not in a position to say if it is true. In the meantime he asked and made a motion to stop the work on this project until this can be worked out and we find out if the process was followed. Ms. Hamilton seconded the motion. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Tolbert said bids are expected for this project in late spring or early summer. Mr. Caravati said he will not support the motion. He asked that Chief Longo and Clark Principal Art Stowe come and talk about what is traffic calming versus safety. Ms. Hamilton said she needs to see the design. Mr. Lynch said that traffic calming narrows lanes and slows traffic. He said these are two different processes and we should be careful not to confuse the two. He said there is a neighborhood process for traffic calming, but this should not mean that is the only condition we can do street improvements or extend curbs. Dr. Brown asked where the idea came from. Mr. Tolbert said that it came from neighborhood CIP meetings and was advocated by the school. Mr. Schilling said he brought this up to discuss the process, not the merits of this particular project. He said the process leaves people disenfranchised. Dr. Brown said this project does not fit the definition of traffic calming, and part of it is defining what we are trying to do. Mr. Lynch said he does not find it that confusing. He said this is clearly addressing an issue the neighborhood has had for a long time. He said the project previously was a traffic calming project, but is now a safety issue. The vote to delay the project was denied by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Schilling. Noes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Mr. Lynch. Abstaining: Ms. Hamilton. Dr. Brown recommended that Council create an advisory commission to aid the School Board in their search for a superintendent assuming that the School Board approves it on Thursday night. He said the commission would include a former City Councilor, a former School Board member, low income resident, City staff, and two