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8 exist, but he noted that the pool experience will be lessened with the road. He said the community is in denial about the negative impacts of the Parkway. Dr. Brown said Meadowcreek Parkway has not been an easy decision for everyone, but in his opinion the good outweighs the bad. He said the decision has been supported by Councils for a long time. He said he appreciates Ms. O’Brien putting context into the legislation, noting that it arose for tragic reasons. On motion by Mr. Huja, seconded by Mr. Taliaferro, Council voted to keep the wading pool open and make the necessary improvements by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. PUBLIC HEARING : CITY COUNCIL’S PROPOSED FY 2010 BUDGET Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, said the Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park asks that Council remove the $450,000 for matching funds for the Meadowcreek Parkway from the CIP and defer a decision until after the permitting process. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said that the Planning Commission recommended against matching funds in the CIP for the Meadowcreek Parkway. He said Council should allocate the funds for sidewalks and greenspace. Ms. Jenny Mead, 805 Bolling Avenue, supported the SPCA’s request for increased funding. She said the SPCA needs to continue to be the City’s pound. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Avenue, said the City’s tax burden is one of the highest in the state. He said the proposed efficiency analyst should be eliminated and the money should be used for the SPCA. He said the downturn fund is not needed. He said the tax rate should be reduced by one cent for one year. He said roads take a long time to come to fruition. Mr. Stephen Bach, 1208 Meriwether Street, said he hopes Council sustains the decision to remove the CIP matching funds for the Meadowcreek Parkway and put it into better forms of transportation. He said McIntire Park should be saved. th Ms. Nancy O’Brien, 501 9 Street, S.W. said it would be helpful if all special funds are listed as well as their use and chain of command; that there be more accountability for large amount of money spent (i.e., for affordable housing); and while she likes the County’s ACE program, she does not want any City money going to the County for it until the City is safe and no one has to leave because of taxes. She said private citizens can donate to ACE. Mr. John Cruickshank, Earlysville, representing the Piedmont Group of the Sierra Club, said he has been opposed to the Meadowcreek Parkway for 20 years and the matching funds in the CIP should be removed. He said people want the park saved, and want the money spent on improved pedestrian and bike access to the park, sidewalks, greenspace or education. Ms. Christine Smith Bain, 4539 Stony Point Road, President of the SPCA Board, thanked Council for its support. She said the services provided by the SPCA far exceed the cost paid. She said if the contract cannot be negotiated in a reasonable amount of time the SPCA cannot continue to provide services. Ms. Pat Napoleon, 700 Lyons Avenue, requested that the matching funds in the CIP for the Meadowcreek Parkway be removed. She said there are too many holes in the plan and too many unknowns. She said it is time to re-evaluate the Parkway and be open to change. Mr. Fred Haar, 1833 Fendall Avenue, Board Member for the SPCA, said the amount of funds given by the City and County are not enough to provide pound services.