2007-02-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Mr. Boyd Knott, a member of the Dogwood Festival Board of Directors, said he appreciates the City’s support in waiving fees. He said the Festival, which will run April 10 – 21, is more than just rides and parades. Mr. Wayne Roberts, 113 Greenbrier Terrace, said he has to work two jobs to pay his mortgage and he may need to get a third job to pay his taxes because of his increased assessment. He said he has a complaint about snow removal by VDOT which blocked his intersection. Ms. Ann Carter, 715 Orangedale Avenue, speaking on behalf of her mother who th lives at 324 6 Street, S.W. said that the proposed historic designation in Fifeville will make assessments rise even higher and will drive out long term residents. She said she has not seen the application. She asked Council to hear from the public before the application goes to the state. Ms. Carla Manno, 324 7 ½ Street, S.W., said she agrees with Ms. Carter in opposing the historic designation. She said the neighborhood does not support it and it is against the democratic process. She said staff’s response to the opposition has been protectionist and slightly racist. She thanked Council for one-waying 7 ½ Street. She asked for a comprehensive plan for traffic in the Fifeville neighborhood. Mr. Robert Ferguson, 316 7 ½ Street, S.W., said he has lived in his home for 35 years and encouraged Council to vote yes to one-waying 7 ½ Street for safety reasons. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, referring to Council’s transportation visioning work session, said he hopes it will be thought of as part of the greater region. He said the Regional Transit Authority proposal is too small in scope and should include other jurisdictions around us. Ms. Tammy Londeree, 813 Locust Avenue, opposed the sister city sculpture and said she thinks the money should be used elsewhere. She said kids are being thrown out of the mall and we should find a useful place for them to hang out. She said Mr. Gaines is right about snow removal. She said neighbors are not willing to clear their sidewalks. COUNCIL RESPONSES TO MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Mr. Norris said he endorses the idea of a public hearing on the historic designation for Fifeville before moving forward. He said he agrees with Mr. Gaines th about the crosswalk at 10 and Page, and said many of his neighborhood issues are valid and he would like staff to follow up on them. Mr. Lynch agreed with Mr. Norris. Mr. Lynch said we need to differentiate between the tax rate and assessments. He agreed that we need to bring the tax rate down, and said he would like to get it down at least four cents or more. He said there is a homesteading exemption bill in the General Assembly that would be a great tool, but it probably will not be approved until next year. Mr. Taliaferro said he is not against decreasing the tax rate, but is not sure it helps people who need it the most. He said the bigger impact may be through increasing the tax relief program. He said the ones most impacted by a tax decrease are large property th owners and businesses. He agreed that the crosswalk at 10 and Page is dangerous. Mr. Taliaferro said most of the calls he has received about snow removal have been in the central business district, and he asked what we do in that area. Dr. Brown said he agrees that we need to do a better job of reminding people that they are required to shovel their sidewalks. He said the problem this year was that the ice on the sidewalks was impossible to clear once it hardened. Dr. Brown said he appreciates comments made about energy conservation efforts in California. He thanked Mr. Gaines for coming forward, and he encouraged the public to let the City know of safety issues in their neighborhoods. CONSENT AGENDA