2007-12-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Mr. Daniel Bluestone, 501 Park Hill, noted that Council had deferred action on additional bonds requested by Jefferson Scholars until they heard whether the Compton House would be preserved, or the reasons why it could not be, but Jefferson Scholars decided to go with their original bond amount. He said they are resolved to demolish the house which is one of the finest designed houses in Charlottesville and is an architectural gem. He asked what recourse Council has, and encouraged the Board of Architectural Review to take up individual designation of the house. He asked that the community be given a further chance to be involved. He said there is no reason not to do it now. He said the house can be preserved and Jefferson Scholars can build their development on that site. He asked that the demolition permit be put on hold. Ms. Tammy Londeree, 813 Locust Avenue, Apt. C, asked that water barrels be provided to poor people, or that the City have a contest where people can win a barrel. She said she has no problem with cameras on the mall. She said there has been questionable treatment by the police of citizens. She said it is time for a citizen review of police behavior. Ms. Susan Lanterman, 405 Ridge Street, asked for confirmation that Council received the petition submitted regarding the Ridge-Cherry project. She asked Council to take into account the concerns about the sale of City property for the project. Ms. Morgan Perkins, owner of Sage Moon Gallery on the downtown mall, supported the Police Chief in wanting cameras on the mall. She said families are encouraged to come downtown, and said it would only take a few minutes for a child to disappear and cameras would help in that situation. She said it is important to look at the big picture and make the mall a safe place for all families. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Road, said it is time for Council to tell the public what it wants to see in the upcoming budget. He said Councilors should stop posturing, and should not propose cutting things such as affordable housing so the public will not focus on the real problem of runaway spending as was reported in the Daily Progress. He said Council needs to separate what the City needs from what it wants. He said more of the surplus should be applied to stormwater needs instead of the fee proposed. He said pools are not needs. He said the City employee base needs to stop expanding. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said that one of Council’s vision goals is citizens involvement, and he asked the City to expand on that relationship. He said he was present at the meeting Ms. Hall tried to attend, and feels citizens should be allowed to attend such a meeting. He said the City should state under what circumstances citizens are not able to attend meetings. COUNCIL RESPONSES TO MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Mr. Lynch noted that cameras will be discussed later in the meeting. He agreed that the City should have an informal standing policy that if a meeting is not covered under the Freedom of Information Act citizens should be allowed to attend to at least listen. He noted that the City offered classes to citizens on how to make their own rain barrels, but it was sold out. He said he hopes the City will offer them again. Ms. Hamilton noted that the drought continues. She said that the idea of a citizen review of the Police Department has come up before. Ms. Hamilton said that Council does not control how or what the Daily Progress reports. She asked staff about the legality of a local designation of the Compton Housel. Mr. Taliaferro said that he and Mr. Norris had looked at the upcoming budget and made some recommendations. He noted that Council has approved a guideline of no more than a 5% increase in the budget. He said he has asked for a head count of City employees and a count of employees in other cities and staff is working on the request. Mr. Norris agreed with Mr. Lynch about meetings, and thanked Ms. Hall and Mr. Kleeman for their comments. He said he thinks a policy is warranted. He said he would like to hear Council’s legal options on the Compton House. He said he is not necessarily