2007-02-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Mr. Norris said he hopes staff will take a look at the opportunity for a connector to the neighborhood. Mr. Lynch said that some options for the interchange at the 250 Bypass and Meadowcreek Parkway would allow for easy access to the neighborhood. Closing the medians at Hillcrest and 250 Bypass and Birdwood and 250 Bypass was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. Absent: Ms. Hamilton. RESOLUTION : $50,000 – MATCHING FUNDS FOR REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY Ms. Judy Mueller, Director of Public Works, said that the Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board has approved applying for a $100,000 grant from VDRPT for a study of a regional transit authority. She said a 5% match is required from the City and County for the grant. She said the grant will not be available until July and the MPO is asking the City and County for $45,000 each now to keep up the momentum. She said the cost of the study is estimated to be $190,000. Mr. Taliaferro asked if the grant will be negated if the funds are approved, and Ms. Mueller said no. Ms. Mueller said these funds are in addition to the matching funds. Mr. Norris asked if there is any reason why the study could not address larger regional involvement. Ms. Kellem Emanuele, Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission staff, said that was discussed by the MPO but the sentiment was we need to start in the more urbanized area, then move out from there. Mr. Lynch said he thinks that the next logical step after it is shown that the City and County can work effectively together is to ask U. Va. to join, then the other localities. Dr. Brown said this will lead into park and ride opportunities, and he thinks the rural areas will be motivated when they see progress. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Norris, Council approved the Resolution authorizing $50,000 toward a study of a regional transit authority by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. Absent: Ms. Hamilton. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia that the sum of $50,000 is hereby paid from the City Wide Contingency Account (Fund 105, Cost Center 163100100) to support a Regional Transit Authority Study. REPORT : SNOW REMOVAL Ms. Mueller said that the number one priority in snow removal is to open roadways, then widen intersections, and where we can, widen streets. She said the idea of requiring parked vehicles to be moved off the street was discussed 12 years ago, but the feeling was that it would present a hardship be cause of the lack of off street parking. She said that in the most recent ice/snow storm, if people did not clear their sidewalks the first day, they could not do it. She said it is extremely expensive to actually remove snow from streets. Mr. Lynch said that conditions in Northern Virginia were much worse than here. He said this last storm was a very unusual circumstance. Mr. Norris said he received a number of complaints about school cancellations and delays, and asked if the schools consult with Public Works before making a decision.