2007-05-30 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Wednesday, May 30, 2007 AT 6:30 p.m. IN THE Carver Recreation Center, th 4 Street, N.W. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Public meeting to discuss the future of recreation facilities in Charlottesville through partnerships BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox CARVER RECREATION CENTER – May 30, 2007 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris. Dr. Brown said that the goal of the meeting is to hear ideas on potential partnerships and the state of recreation facilities, and to hear public input. He said Council will not make any decisions at the meeting. Mr. Mike Svetz, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed the study and major issues that came out of the recent Parks and Recreation study. Mr. Kurt Kruger, President of the YMCA Board, said that a YMCA facility has to be accessible to City and County residents and should be accessible by public transportation. He said partnering with the City will maximize funds for a central facility. He noted that the YMCA’s Perry Foundation grant has a deadline. Mr. Todd Bullard, architect for the YMCA, reviewed five potential sites for a facility: Piedmont Virginia Community College, on the Carver Recreation/Jefferson School site, and three sites in McIntire Park. Mr. Kruger said that the YMCA is a membership organization that generates operating funds and provides scholarships to anyone that needs it. Mr. Tim Sinatra, Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Charlottesville, said that 25% of their $10 million capital campaign has been raised for their proposed 25,000 to 30,000 square foot facility. He said 1,200 kids are currently served at their current site at the Smith Center. The floor was opened to public comment, and the following comments were made: ? Concern about elimination of the summer playground program and kids not going to the parks anymore ? The summer playground program was discontinued due to State certification requirements. ? Programming should be the number one priority. Partnership with the YMCA or Boys and Girls Club is a good thing and the focus should be on the Buford School site. Crow Center should be closed. ? Neighborhood facilities should be focused on first. ? There should be no more hardship on City residents. How are kids going to get to a facility in McIntire Park? ? Supports collaborative efforts. There should be more talk about the County, City, YMCA and Boys and Girls Club coming together. ? The YMCA will not serve the needs of people whose needs are not served now. Most YMCA members are white and middle class. The Boys and Girls Club has a waiting list because they do not have enough resources. ? Experience with the YMCA is that families who cannot pay will still be served. The real drain is in future operating costs which the YMCA can provide.