2005-11-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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451 On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Mr. Lynch, Council certified by the following vote (Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None) that to the best of each Council Member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and identified in the motion convening the closed session were heard, discussed or considered in the closed session. COUNCIL CHAMBER- November 7, 2005 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. Brown reminded people that tomorrow is election day. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE WEEK PROCLAMATION Dr. Brown announced that the City has been awarded Equality Virginia's Community Recognition Award. Dr. Brown presented the proclamation proclaiming Restorative Justice Week. PUBLIC Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, President of North Downtown Residents Association, said she has received complaints about trash on the downtown mall. She said she does not agree that trash should be allowed to be put out in bags and recommends that all trash be put in lidded barrels, and if businesses do not have adequate storage, the City should secure places for the barrels. She also said that the late Sunday afternoon trash pickup should continue. Ms. Hall suggested that an ordinance be written for trash pickup on the mall so that it is enforceable. Mr. Stephen Bach, 1208 Meriwether Street, thanked Council for applying for the transportation enhancement grant for the bike and pedestrian plan; for installing bike racks near City Hall; for restriping and increasing the width of bike lanes on West Main Street; and for installing "share the lane" signs where bike lanes are not striped. He asked that the City hire a full time pedestrian and bike coordinator and said there is an urgent need for bike lanes on Emmet Street between Massey and Barracks Road. Mr. Tim O'Cain, Perry Drive, said that Perry Drive is becoming a speedway. He said traffic calming has helped elsewhere, but not on Perry Drive. He said the signs are confusing and not effective. He said he has ideas he would like the City to consider. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, expressed concern that there is no "matters by the public" on the agenda of the Meadowcreek Parkway Interchange Committee and that the information for the meeting was only available at the meeting. He said only two opportunities have been identified for public involvement in the process. He recommended that Council direct the project managers to include clear public opportunities and to provide information to the public in advance. Mr. Jeff Werner, 212 Wine Street, said that 40 North Downtown residents met on Sunday to discuss traffic issues. He said he thinks that some of the issues can be easily addressed. He said the main concern is speed on Perry Drive, and suggested that the yield signs be replaced with stop signs. He suggested adding lane dividers, parking lines and bike lanes to slow traffic and to increase enforcement. He said the visibility of the north bound stop sign on 2nd Street should be improved and the sign should be relocated. He suggested reducing the speed limit on Mclntire Road to 35 mph. He asked about data regarding the effect of recently installed traffic calming. Mr. JeffRossman, Edgewood Lane, said he feels that an elected School Board will be more responsive and transparent. He said that regarding diversity, African