2007-12-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Mr. John Cruickshank, 700 Spring Lake Drive, Earlysville, representing the Piedmont Group of the Sierra Club, supported passage of the energy resolution. He said it is a bold step toward sustainability. Ms. Carla Manno, 324 7 ½ Street, presented a symbolic petition written on cardboard supporting recycling on the downtown mall. She said citizens are willing to help. She thanked Ms. Hamilton and Mr. Lynch for their service to the City. Ms. Naomi Roberts, 1140 St. Clair Avenue Extended, said CARS was formed over 40 years ago and the City has not contributed to its operating expenses. She said she has always found them to be punctual. She said the proposal will cost citizens more money and there will be a charge for service. Ms. Jennifer McKeever, 1140 Locust Avenue, said that she found the EMS report confusing and said the performance standards are debatable. She said there are more innovative ways to address concerns and the City has greater needs. Mr. John Hossack, 617 Davis Avenue, said that the proposed development in his neighborhood will be negative and will destroy property values. He asked the City to properly apply ordinances, especially critical slope and stream protection. He said the neighborhood will oppose any rezoning efforts. He said the lack of dedicated bike paths in the City is a problem. Mr. Lawrence Jones, 301 Middleton Lane of the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association, said a new development is being proposed for 280 units across from Azalea Park in the County. He asked what Council is going to do about traffic in the neighborhood. Mr. Jim McKinley-Oakes, 709 Park Street, expressed concern about the police mistreatment of Gerry Mitchell. He said the trauma of the accident was made worse by how he was treated after the event. COUNCIL RESPONSES TO MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Mr. Lynch said he feels it was a mistake to not have charged the driver in the recent accident involving Mr. Mitchell. He said when the police make mistakes they need to acknowledge it. Ms. Hamilton thanked Mr. McKinley-Oakes for his comments. She said it really is about how Mr. Mitchell was treated. She said it seems to violate common sense to charge the man in the wheelchair. She said such police actions harm the community. Mr. Taliaferro said he does not know exactly what happened with the accident, but he said he has confidence in the police and the Police Chief. He said he thinks a resolution will be reached. Mr. Norris said he thinks the police can do an effective job of policing themselves, but noted that a review process is being looked at by the Chief in order to install more confidence in the department. He said we need to improve pedestrian and bike safety. Mr. Norris noted that the City is making one of its largest capital investments in Old Lynchburg Road, including drainage and traffic calming. He said those efforts will not address the volume of traffic. He said he supports recycling downtown. Mr. Mike Svetz, Director of Parks and Recreation, said recycling downtown will st begin on March 1. th Dr. Brown said that the Very Special Arts show will be on January 11 and said it is a great event. He said he agrees with Mr. Cox’s comments about pedestrian issues. He said we need to make sure we have crosswalks where they are necessary, and we need to make it safe all over town for pedestrians. He said that the only information people have