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13 APPOINTMENT : DIRECTOR OF FINANCE On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Mr. Lynch, Mr. Bernard Wray was appointed as the Director of Finance by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. PUBLIC HEARING/APPROPRIATION : AUTHORIZING USE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR 1) GAS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ($18,000) AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM ($75,000) Ms. Amy Kilroy, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, explained that the Action Plan needs to be amended in order to appropriate funds for the Gas Assistance Program and Housing Opportunities Program. Responding to questions from Mr. Caravati, Ms. Kilroy said that while the CDBG Task Force has not formally met to discuss the appropriations, they have met in subcommittees and otherwise indicated their support. She said that the $18,000 proposed for the Gas Assistance Program is the maximum allowed because of the limit for social programs. The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Lynch made a motion to amend the Action Plan and appropriate funds for the Gas Assistance Program and Housing Opportunities Program, He said he would like for the CDBG Task Force to weigh in on the proposal to make sure it is consistent with their goals before Council takes a final vote. Mr. Caravati seconded the motion and the appropriation was carried over to the next meeting for consideration. REPORT : NORTH BERKSHIRE ROAD DIVERTER Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, updated Council on the diverter on North Berkshire and asked for guidance. He said the County is interested in working on installing “porkchops.” He said he feels confident that the only way to eliminate cut through traffic is with the diverter. He said that the temporary diverter has been damaged, and either a permanent diverter needs to be installed or the temporary diverter needs to be taken out. Dr. Brown thanked the County for being responsive to City concerns. Responding to questions from Councilors , Mr. Tolbert said that changing the direction on the roads was considered, but there was never a way that made sense. He said no recent traffic count has been done, that it would be labor intensive to do because it would need to include origins and destinations, but would not be difficult to do. He said the schools have not raised changing bus routes as an issue. He said it is his understanding that there is very little traffic on the dead-end road that has no sidewalk and that students must walk on. Mr. Tolbert said the idea of a diverter was previously reviewed with fire and life safety staff and they did not oppose it. He said they currently are having no problem with the diverter. Mr. Tolbert said that the concern was mostly with the volume of traffic, not speeding. Mr. Lynch said that having heard both sides he is still persuaded that the problem is clearly there, and the problem has been compounded over years with roads that are being used as regional roads. He said he is reluctant to let City residents bear the brunt while the issue is being worked out. He said he is not sure the diverter is the only solution. He said he leans toward the “porkchop” solution, but that will take a year, so he is against removing the diverter until we know if the “porkchops” will work. He suggested fixing the temporary diverter and removing it when the “porkchops” are installed. He said that might be the most equitable way to address the situation. Mr. Schilling said he is thinking along the same lines as Mr. Lynch. Mr. Schilling said he does think the process was somewhat flawed, and he is not sure people knew what they were voting on and that all who should have been polled fairly were. He said