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9 crossing to drop people off. He said he is concerned about the drop in pedestrian traffic, and said we need to see why that occurred. Dr. Brown said this is one of the harder decisions he has had to make on Council as no clear data points in either direction and it is mostly based on opinions. He said he has never been particularly bothered by the crossing when on the mall, which he is frequently. He said he has the impression that it has benefited the east end of the mall. He said he supports a permanent crossing, but is not sure where it should be. He suggested discussing it as two separate issues. He said he would like to see cars have the th ability to use 4 Street under the tracks when there is a train. He said he does not think having to make a left hand turn if the circulation is reversed is a big deal, but would like to see that studied further. Ms. Hamilton said she would like to look at budget figures, and would like to look at making the mall area more transit friendly. She noted that Council did not support signage to the extent that was recommended in the budget. Mr. Lynch said he thinks $400,000 is plenty to take care of downtown mall signage needs. Ms. Hamilton made a motion to support a permanent crossing at the east end of the mall in principle, and for Council to discuss which street later. Mr. Taliaferro seconded the motion. Mr. Allyson Davies, Assistant City Attorney, said the issue will need to go to the Planning Commission. Mr. Lynch asked that the Planning Commission also weight in on the direction of the crossings. A permanent crossing at the east end of the mall, in principle, with the street and direction to be determined at a later date, was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: Mr. Lynch and Mr. Norris. th Mr. O’Connell said he is presuming that the current 4 Street crossing will remain open until a final decision is made on the street and direction, and Councilors agreed. Mr. Tolbert noted that it will take some time to have better cost estimates. REPORT : CHERRY/WILLARD/CLEVELAND INTERSECTION Mr. Lynch commended Jeanie Alexander, City Traffic Engineer, for working out a satisfactory solution with the neighborhood for the intersection, and made a motion to proceed with the changes. Mr. Norris seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. Absent for the vote: Ms. Hamilton. ORDINANCE : INCREASING SPEEDING FINES TO $200 ON CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL STREETS (OLD LYNCHBURG ROAD (CITY LINE TO JPA); RUGBY AVENUE (RUGBY ROAD TO BYPASS); ELLIOTT AVENUE (MONTICELLO AVENUE TO RIDGE STREET); AVONS TREET (CITY LINE TO MONTICELLO AVENUE); BRANDYWINE DRIVE (HYDRAULIC ROAD TO YORKTOWN DRIVE); ALTAVISTA AVENUE (MONTICELLO AVENUE TO AVON STREET) Ms. Jeanie Alexander, Traffic Engineer, said the number one complaint she hears is about speeding. She said traffic calming is not as feasible on all streets. She said state law allows for increased fines on streets that meet certain criteria. She recommended that portions of the following streets be targeted as the first phase: Old Lynchburg Road, Rugby Avenue, Elliott Avenue, Avon Street, Brandywine Drive, and Altavista Avenue. She said after a trial period these streets can be evaluated and then she can look at others.