2009-04-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, said that the City and County are equal partners on the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, and asked why the Albemarle County Service Authority is treated as an equal partner. Mr. M. Rick Turner, President of the Charlottesville Albemarle NAACP, said that the drop out rate has become an epidemic and it is alarming and shameful. He said Council must address it immediately. He suggested a public forum for young people who have dropped out. Mr. James Craig, 101 Indian Spring Road, a board member of Habitat for Humanity, thanked Council for funding and cooperation from the City. He said he hopes Council will increase the size of housing funds when the economy improves. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Road, spoke in support of the commuter rail between Crozet and the City. He said this will help remove cars and increase transit ridership. COUNCIL RESPONSES TO MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Mr. Taliaferro said he would like staff to look at the Old Lynchburg Road sewer line situation again. He said he does not understand why we would stop maintaining it if we have been doing it before. He asked Mr. Watts to convey concern about the delay in consideration of the dredging RFP. He said it is an important part of the water supply plan. Mr. Huja commended the father and son team of Hope Community Center. He said he would like to pursue zoning changes for a homeless shelter. He said he hopes our representatives can get the dredging study going. Ms. Edwards said we have an opportunity to be holistic about providing services to the homeless and making systemic changes. She said Council and the School Board had a productive meeting about the graduation and drop out rate, and suggested that a similar presentation be made at a regular Council meeting. She said she is intrigued about the idea of a forum for young people. Dr. Brown said he would like to find out more about the Old Lynchburg Road sewer line and the reason it was not accepted by the City. He thanked Dr. Turner for bringing the drop out rate to our attention. He said he thinks the three-year old program will help. He agreed that it is the City’s, not just the school’s responsibility. He noted that the City will be expanding the summer youth internship program. Mr. Norris agreed with Ms. Edwards and Dr. Brown regarding the drop out rate. He said we are doing more now, but not enough. He said he likes the idea of inviting the schools to a Council meeting and the idea of the forum. He agreed with Council comments about the sewer line. He said it is not clear that it has been a private line all along. He said the 40% discrepancy in the water usage is troubling, and he hopes it can be explained. He said Council has made it clear we are not going to proceed with the dam until a dredging study is done. He thanked Habit for the work they do for the community. He said if the economy improves Council will revisit funding. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Norris said that the street acceptance ordinance has been removed from the agenda. On motion by Mr. Huja, seconded by Mr. Taliaferro, the following consent agenda items were approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. nd APPROPRIATION a. : $80,000 – Summer Lunch Program Grant (2 reading)