2007-05-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL CHAMBER – May 21, 2007 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Lynch said that the first public meetings on the eastern connector will be held on May 22 and 24, and a Democratic City Council candidate’s forum will be held on May 22. Mr. Norris announced that a public meeting to discuss City pools and recreation facilities will be held on May 30. Mr. Lynch said that Council will hold a work session on affordable housing on May 22. Mr. O’Connell said that a variety of activities surrounding Council’s vision themes will be held throughout the week. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS Dr. Brown presented the National Law Enforcement Memorial Week proclamation to Police Chief Timothy Longo. PUBLIC Ms. Mary Burton, 715 Cynthianna Avenue, a member of the Rose Hill Neighborhood Association, said that seniors and handicapped citizens in the neighborhood have a problem with changes in the bus service and now have to walk two to four blocks to catch a bus. She asked if the County is funding the bus service to the County locations. Ms. Felicia Johnson, 108 Greenwich Court, representing IMPACT, thanked Council for allocating funds for affordable housing. She asked that Council focus on those citizens making under 30% of the AMI by directing $420,000 for that need, and allocate $500,000 for rehabilitation and $500,000 for special needs housing. She also asked that the City and County move forward on convening a task force. Mr. Overton McGee, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, thanked Council for investing in affordable housing. He said he understands Council has discussed limiting funding to people from Charlottesville, which he understands, but he said he hopes Council will leave some flexibility so that funds can be used on families from Charlottesville for homes built outside of Charlottesville. He noted that the Southwood project will be Habitat’s largest redevelopment site in the coming years, and is located in Albemarle County. Ms. Jane Covington, 5352 Cismont Lane, owner of 513 Dice Street, said she wrote the preliminary information for the PIF for the Fifeville/Castle Hill historic application. She said she wanted to make tax credits available for herself and neighbors. She said she is concerned that the application has been withdrawn, and feels it should be supported if it is amended and the boundaries are changed. She urged Council to reinstate the initial support of the district. Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, she that while she is President of the North Downtown Neighborhood Association, she often speaks as a private citizen. She said the amount of appropriations approved by Council every meeting on the consent agenda is staggering. She said that while most of these appropriations are grants, that does not mean it is free money. She urged Council to listen to the public.