2009-02-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE : CONVEYANCE OF ELLIOTT AVENUE LOT TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Mr. Tolbert explained that the ordinance will convey property on Elliott Avenue to Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Tolbert said that the City has not been able to sell the property at 608 Ridge Street because of the condition of the house, and proposed that $100,000 from housing funds be used to rehab the property and then sell it. Mr. Huja said he thinks it is a good idea to give the Elliott Avenue lot to Habitat, but is leery of rehabilitating the Ridge Street house until he sees more information The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Dr. Brown said he supports the ordinance. He said he thinks the plan to rehabilitate the Ridge Street house is a good one, and would be comfortable with having Mr. Huja or Mr. Norris meet with staff to discuss the plans further, and bring it back to Council if concerns remain. Councilors agreed with Dr. Brown. On motion by Dr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Huja, the ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY (102 ELLIOTT AVENUE) TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY” was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. REPORT : QUALITY OF SERVICE AND EFFICIENCY STUDY BY U. VA. WELDON COOPER CENTER Mr. O’Connell said the intent of tonight’s report is to present the study and start a discussion. He said the City contracted with the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service to conduct the study. He said it was important to look at quality of service, not just efficiencies. Mr. Robert Matson of the Weldon Cooper Center introduced the study team members, Brad Hammer, Bob Taylor, and Doug Walker. Mr. Brad Hammer said the study team read a lot of documents and interviewed department heads, staff, citizens and Councilors. He reviewed the report and some of the key recommendations. Mr. Norris reiterated that this is just the start of the conversation. He said staff will go through the report and prepare responses, then Council will have a work session and go into the recommendations in more depth. Dr. Brown said he would like to see more detail about staffing levels in Public Works. He asked why there was no recommendation to change the sick leave policy in Public Works. Mr. Hammer said it was felt that the current sick leave policy in Public Works is working. He said recommendations were made about a light duty assignment policy across the City government. Dr. Brown suggested looking at the light duty recommendation as soon as possible. He asked that an explanation be given about appendix 4 and also about charging non-residents. Ms. Edwards said there is nothing about the agency budget review process in the recommendations. She said there is clearly a lot we need to do regarding prevention.