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4 <br /> <br />business systems, will link business and financial processes, and will improve <br />customer service. He said Phase II will occur in October and Phase III in January, <br />2006. He said the project is within budget and will provide a good foundation. <br /> <br />REPORT: FONTAINE AVENUE DESIGN <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, said that <br />Council had wanted to look at design issues on the proposal for Fontaine Avenue. He <br />said there was neighborhood concern over the property proposed to be taken with the <br />previous design. He said if Council agrees with the recommendation being made, <br />VDOT will be asked to adjust the design. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kenneth Schwartz of Renaissance Planning Group explained that a context <br />sensitive approach was used for the new design. He said it was felt that the former <br />scheme was unsafe and lacked sidewalks and trees. He said the recommendation is to <br />replace the current driveways with access from the alley for part of Fontaine Avenue. <br />He said loss of parking on one lot is recommendation in order to accommodate future <br />transit needs. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Tolbert said that $2 million is <br />left in the Fontaine Avenue design account. <br /> <br />Mr. Schwartz said that the new design has not been costed out. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked about the cost of taking private property, and Mr. Tolbert said <br />the belief is that this proposal will take less than the VDOT plan, but it has not been <br />costed out. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling asked if the alley access has been discussed with the neighbors, and <br />Mr. Tolbert said that a number of the neighbors came to the meeting where it was <br />discussed and there was general support for the proposal. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said we really need to make sure the neighborhood is behind this <br />proposal. He said we should think about the issue of safety and asked the Police to <br />comment on it. He asked if improvements will be needed in the alley. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schwartz said the safety issues go both ways, and noted there are more safety <br />issues with the access on Fontaine. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said staff should make sure that the neighborhoods affected by the <br />alley idea know about the proposal. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked if the consultants are comfortable that the design can sustain <br />the traffic generated as a result of a future Stadium Road extension. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schwartz said yes, but the transit piece is important. He said the connection <br />should be smooth and well functioning. He said balancing mobility and livability is <br />always a challenge. <br /> <br />Dr. Brown asked about the timeline to bring the issue back to Council. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said the issue could be brought back in August, but Mr. Schilling <br />suggested deferring the matter until after Labor Day. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked for more details about the impact on residents between <br />Piedmont and Lewis. <br /> <br />REPORT: REAL ESTATE TAX RELIEF OPTIONS <br /> <br /> Ms. Leslie Beauregard, Budget Manager, explained that the issue of tax deferral <br />came up during the budget process, and Council asked staff to revisit it after the <br />budget. Ms. Beauregard said tax relief is currently offered for the elderly and <br /> <br /> <br />