2007-05-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Ms. Christine Solem, speaking on behalf of herself and John Coles, thanked those who worked to resolve their recent appeal of City Market regulations, especially Mr. Norris, Ms. Hamilton, and Craig Brown. th Mr. John Gaines, 214 9 Street, N.W., expressed concerns about removal of bus ththth stops in the 10 and Page and Rose Hill neighborhoods and at 9 and Anderson and 9 and West Street, and asked that they be reinstated. He also expressed concern that convicted felons are denied the right to vote and are denied employment. He said some states have taken the initiative to have the felonies removed, and he asked that Council consider contacting officials at the State level to have the felonies removed from the records of those who have paid their penalty. Ms. Ann Carter, 715 Orangedale Avenue, said she is not opposed to historic designation of the Fifeville neighborhood, but is opposed to the way this process happened. She said there have been three different boundaries for Fifeville in the past. She asked who was in charge of the Fifeville/Castle Hill nomination, the City or Preservation Piedmont, and asked if Council will give an update on its position of the nomination. Ms. Michelle McSherrey, 1114 Monticello Road, Apt. B, said she is speaking on behalf of IMPACT and supports helping with transportation and affordable housing. She praised the City for putting in the Transit Center. She said it makes her feel safer and has public restrooms. Ms. Laura Covert, Co-President of the Woolen Mills Neighborhood Association, thanked the police for their recent outreach program in Woolen Mills and for engaging the neighbors in the process. COUNCIL RESPONSES TO MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Ms. Hamilton said Council is interested in restoring felons’ rights, but she said it is a State issue and there needs to be a community effort and Council cannot take it on by itself. She said Preservation Piedmont was not involved in the historic designation process for Fifeville as far as she knows, and she said they have a right to their opinion. Regarding the bus issue, she said it would help to know the route affected in the Rose Hill neighborhood. She said the issue of the Route 6 bus is being worked on now and a meeting has been set up. Mr. Norris thanked IMPACT members for their continued diligence and dedication to affordable housing. He agreed that we need more money for low income housing. He echoed Mr. Gaines’ concern about restoration of felons’ rights. He said it has been on the City’s legislative agenda. He said he will see if the City can offer more assistance about this issue. He praised the police outreach effort, but said he has heard that some neighborhoods have not taken the police up on their offer which he said will help build better relationships. Responding to a question from Mr. Taliaferro, Mr. O’Connell said that a meeting about the bus changes is scheduled for June 5. Ms. Rochelle Small-Toney, Assistant City Manager, said the meeting has been thth scheduled for June 5 with residents of the 10 and Page neighborhood to discuss options about the routing and bus stops, and residents will be notified. She said the Rose Hill issue is a new one. Dr. Brown noted that the County pays for service in the County, and the County has included $250,000 more in their budget next year for transit service. Dr. Brown thanked IMPACT, and said the regional task force is critically important. He said he agrees with the concerns about voting right for felons. He said Virginia is only one of two states that do not allow this, and said it is something we should all work on. Mr. Lynch said he agrees with all that Councilors have said. He said he would have no problem with Habitat providing housing in the County for City residents. Mr.