2006-01-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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18 Responding to questions from Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Caruso Brown said that all but Fluvanna and Greene County have approved the change, and he anticipates their approval. He said the property on Preston Avenue will be retained by Region Ten. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati about the location of 41 units in a neighborhood, Mr. Caruso Brown said the Director of Region Ten would be the better person to answer that question. Responding to a question from Dr. Brown, Mr. Caruso Brown said that Albemarle County has already reduced its responsibility as fiscal agent, and Region Ten has basically been acting in that regard for years. Mr. Lynch made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the change in fiscal agent for Region Ten Community Services Board. Mr. Lynch’s motion died for lack of a second. RESOLUTION : APPROVING SIGNAGE FOR FREE EXPRESSION MONUMENT Mr. Tolbert said that staff do not have authority to grant permission for a sign to hang on the light poles on the downtown mall. He said the proposed signs have been approved by the Board of Architectural Review. He said one of the signs will list donors. He said that the lease agreement is also being amended to make it clear about the square footage allowed to be used for special events, and the fact that special events can be held without obtaining a special event permit from the City. Ms. Hamilton asked if there is concern about the signs jutting out from the poles, but Mr. Tolbert said that they meet the ADA requirement and are within 24” of the ground. Responding to a question from Mr. Schilling, Mr. Brown said he believes the lease is $1 a year as approved in May of 2005. Responding to a question from Mr. Schilling, Mr. Josh Wheeler of the Thomas Jefferson Center for Free Expression, said that the Center paid $9,700 in labor to install the bricks within the 2,300 square foot area. Mr. Schilling asked what type of events will be held, and Mr. Tolbert said it will include having speakers and other free speech related activities. Mr. Brown explained that the resolution adopted by Council in 2001 required the Center to conduct a series of events, and this lease amendment only clarifies that they do not have to go through the special event process. Mr. Schilling said he was not on Council during the original discussions about the Monument, and he expressed concern about the closing off of public space. Mr. Wheeler said that all events will be open to the public. He said it is a matter of allowing the Center to use the space rather than closing it off. Mr. Schilling said he finds the language problematic. Responding to questions by Mr. Schilling, Mr. Tolbert said that there is a specific provision in the City Code that allows the merchant signs on poles on the mall, the City owns those signs, and they are placed there by permit. Mr. Tolbert said he will defer to the BAR’s judgment regarding attractiveness of the signs. Mr. Tolbert said that since the signs are allowed in the lease, he does not think getting additional requests for signs will be a problem. Mr. Schilling said he concurs with concerns expressed by two BAR members, as indicated in their minutes, that having a donors list is not appropriate. He said he cannot support that.