2009-11-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Mr. Bill Atwood said it has been 20 years since the City held a downtown charrette and he would like to do one again for West Main Street to generate ideas for the corridor. Mr. Peter van der Linde, 2820 Hydraulic Road, asked Council to review his memorandum on RSWA’s lawsuit. He said he hopes we can combine strengths to benefit the community. Mr. John Sheperd, 112 Village Court, presented a petition for pedestrian improvement at the Shamrock railroad crossing supported by Johnson Village and the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association. He asked Council to direct staff to remedy the situation. He said baseline traffic studies should be done and there should be discussions with CSX. He asked Council to follow-up and monitor progress. Mr. Jay Willer, Executive Vice President of the Blue Ridge Homeowners Association, supported the LEAP program and he looks forward to the Association’s role in the community to improve energy efficiency in existing homes. Mr. Bob Fenwick, 901 E. Jefferson Street, said he has grown grass on material dredged from the Rivanna Reservoir. He said the dredged material will pay for dredging. He supported Mr. van der Linde in his establishment of a groundbreaking recycling operation. Mr. Kevin Lynch, 609 Locust Avenue, said he was surprised when Mr. Frederick claimed that repairing the dam would cost more than a new dam. He said he is glad Council is being skeptical. He said there is no new dam estimate. He referred to a 2003 study. Ms. Dede Smith, 2652 Jefferson Park Circle, said it was amazing to listen to Mr. Frederick’s list of statements which are meant to deceive. Ms. Betty Mooney, 201 Sunset Avenue, said more help is needed from Council to protect the City. She said we are wasting millions on the water plan. Mr. Paul Long, 1410 Grady Avenue, said it is outrageous that the police cannot afford houses in the City. He said there needs to be more affordable housing in the William Taylor Plaza. He said if projects do not have more reasonable housing rates, they should be rejected. Ms. Kristen Smith Bain, 4539 Stony Pont Road, President of the Board of Directors of the SPCA, thanked Council for its support in connection with the contract with the SPCA. She clarified that there is a disconnect between services provided and payments received by the City and County. Mr. Jim Moore, 1213 Hazel Street, referring to the gift of land for Forest Hills Park, said there will be $1700 in lost taxes and the City will have maintenance responsibilities. He asked Council to request a fiscal impact statement before approving acceptance of land to see if it is in the City’s best interest. Ms. Mary Ellen Drayer, Co-President of Voices for Animals, supported increased funding for the SPCA. She said Voices for Animals provides spay and neuter services and she hopes this service can be increased. COUNCIL RESPONSES TO MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Dr. Brown thanked Mr. Shepherd for his comments and said he would like the City to look at the situation quickly. He said he would also like to look at the impacts on Stribling Avenue. He said he is excited to see a group step forward to advocate for West Main Street. He said he represents the City on RSWA and the issue is whether Mr. van der Linde evaded paying the service contribution fee which is what the court case is designed to figure out. He said Mr. van der Linde’s recycling business is a separate issue.