2007-04-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 Mr. Lynch made a motion to approve the Annual Budget Appropriation with the following changes: reduce City employee salary increases to 3%, reduce the CIP by $500,000, and reduce the EMS proposal by $500,000. Mr. Lynch’s motion died for lack of a second. Ms. Hamilton said she objects to the motion as it pre-exempts Council having a conversation about where to cut the budget at the Wednesday work session. On motion by Mr. Taliaferro, seconded by Ms. Hamilton, the Annual Budget th Appropriation was offered, as presented, and carried over to the April 10 meeting for consideration. PUBLIC HEARING/RESOLUTION : JEFFERSON PARK AVENUE BRIDGE REDESIGN Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, said that the neighborhood expressed concern about VDOT’s plan for a replacement bridge with a width of 78 feet. He said the neighborhood would like a 54 foot wide bridge which is more to the scale of the neighborhood. He said VDOT needs to do more analysis on the width. He said it is recommended that Council authorize the Mayor to put the request in a letter rather than a formal resolution. He said that a temporary replacement bridge is not eligible for federal funds and could only be built if the City pays for it. Dr. Brown said he has received a pretty favorable response from VDOT about a narrower bridge, but VDOT staff felt that if Council is too prescriptive in a resolution it might create concern on VDOT’s part. Dr. Brown said that in addition to the issue of the width of the bridge, there is also the issue of pedestrian and bicycle access during the renovation. He said these changes could delay the project by 15 months. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Reilly, 116 Oakhurst Circle, representing the Jefferson Park Avenue Neighborhood Association, said she appreciates the initiative of the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association, and supports a narrower bridge, which is more in line with the feel of the neighborhood. Ms. Adrienne Dent, 104 Todd Avenue, thanked Council for supporting the redesign of the bridge. She reviewed the history of the bridge design, and asked that Council ensure that there is design oversight. She asked that the sentiments of the residents be honored and that the City be specific with VDOT in the letter. Mr. Michael Petrus, 209 Todd Avenue, thanked Council for supporting reducing the width of the bridge. He said it serves as a gateway to the neighborhood. He said the neighborhood would be happy getting the width to as close to 54 feet as possible. Mr. John Santoski, 2421 Sunset Road, President of the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association, supported the narrow bridge design, and said he appreciates Council’s willingness to look at the issue. He said he hopes the language in the letter keeps the width as small as possible. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Ms. Hamilton said she is comfortable with sending the letter. Mr. Lynch said we should state in the letter that we would like the bridge to be as narrow as possible, but no wider than 60 feet. He said this should also reduce the cost. He said we should also ask VDOT for pedestrian access, and said the City should try to facilitate this process. Mr. Taliaferro agreed with Mr. Lynch that we should state the width we want. He thanked the neighborhood associations for their work.