2009-02-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL CHAMBER – February 2, 2009 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edward, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Norris announced that City Hall will be closed February 16 for Presidents’ Day. He said applications are being accepted for rent and tax relief. He said that parking at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court garage will be available for area churches. Ms. Edwards said she recently presented the Big Read proclamation and encouraged people to be part of the event. She said school reports cards are out. She said she would like to discuss the South Fork Rivanna River task Force report during other business. Mr. Huja said the submission deadline for the Art in Place show is February 28. TH AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS : NAACP 100 ANNIVERSARY PROCLAMATION th Mr. Norris presented the NAACP 100 Anniversary proclamation to Dr. M. Rick Turner, President of the local chapter of the NAACP. PUBLIC Rev. Tom Leland, representing IMPACT, a group of 30 congregations, said he is excited about the work by the Housing Task Force. He recommended creation of a regional fund to receive public and private money to deal with affordable housing, especially for those earning $20,000 a year or less. Ms. Veronica Wilson said she is a single mother and could not find a support system in her search for affordable rental housing. She said there is no central location for assistance. Ms. Betty Mooney, 201 Sunset Avenue, thanked Ms. Edwards, a member of the South Fork Rivanna River Task Force, for joining Dede Smith and Wren Olivia in asking for a comprehensive study of dredging. She said funding has been identified for the study. She said citizens want to see surveys done. She asked Council to move with haste. Mr. Bob Stroh, 1412 Kenwood Lane, supported additional marketing funding for downtown during the mall reconstruction. He presented signs that are going up on the mall. Mr. Michael Winn, 1310 Kenwood Lane, representing the U. S. Census Bureau, said that 75,000 people will be hired in south eastern states to conduct the census. He offered assistance in hiring local residents. He said residents only have to show documentation that they are eligible to work, fill out an application, and take a brief written test. Mr. Stratton Salidas, 704 Graves Street, said that origins of the Meadowcreek Parkway appear to be part of urban renewal. He said conditions of the Parkway are not being met. He said the City should come up with an express bus line instead, and add a nature preserve and bikeway. Ms. Cynthia Schroeder, 107 W. Main Street, expressed concern with struggling merchants on the downtown mall, and supported more marketing money. Mr. George Benford, 608 Ranier Road, owner of SIIPS on the downtown mall, said he is a block captain for the reconstruction and asked Council to approve the additional $50,000 for marketing.