1996-09-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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142 On motiOn by Mr. Toscano, seconded by Mr, Cox, Council voted, with Ms. Richards and Ms. Daugherty absent for the vote, to meet in executive session for the purpose of discussing appointments to bOards and commissions as provided by Section 2.1-344(a)(1) of the Virginia Code. COUNCIL CHAMBER- September 3, 1996 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano. PUBLIC Ms. Slaughter recognized Ms. Diane Price, government and German teacher at Charlottesville High School, for being selected to participate in the 1996 Social Studies Teachers' Study Seminar to Germany. Ms. Mary Carey, President of Garrett Square Tenant Association, 407 1/2 Garrett Street, expressed concern about the fence around Garrett Square. Ms. Carey said she believes the management of Garrett Square has made misleading statements about the community approving the fence. Ms. Carey said she does not believe the fence is safe and does not believe it has reduced crime. Ms. Carey asked Council to apply pressure to whomever is responsible. Ms. Carey said the fence issue is distracting residents from dealing other issues. Responding to a question from Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Carey said that the majority of Garrett Square tenants want the fence taken down. Mr. O'Connell explained that City staff is trying to help arrange a meeting with Garrett Square tenants and management, and Mr. George King, President of the Charlottesville NAACP, has agreed to participate as a third party in the discussion. Mr. Cox said that he has walked the Garrett Square neighborhood and was impressed by the many problems facing tenants beYond the fence issue. Mr. Cox said Ms. Carey should feel confident that she has Council's support. Mr. William Johnson, 217 Old Lynchburg Road, expressed concern about the high percentage of African-American students who failed standardiZed tests in the City, and urged the newspaper to publish the scores. Ms. Slaughter said that Council and the School Board share concerns that all students in the City be educated. Ms. Betty Gross, 608 Moseley Drive, said that she agrees with comments made about the fence at Garrett Square, and has been impressed that Garrett Square tenants have organized themselves and are trying to solve their own problems. Ms. Gross said she feels the fence presents many dangers, and the gate has not been opened for school children as was promised. Ms. Gross said that she feels the situation can be resolved with Council's help. Mr. Henry Martin, 253 E. Jefferson Street, expressed concerns about the opening of 2nd Street, N.W. to traffic across the mall. r~. Cox said that he is also concerned that the current conditions at the 2nd Street crossing are not safe, and he said he hopes that staff can quickly improve the safety of the crossing. Mr. Herbert Porter, Jr., a Fifeville resident, expressed concern about the fence at Garrett Square and the traffic crossing the mall. Mr. Porter asked Council to consider thorougkdy and hold discussions with the neighborhood before approving any rezonings in Fifeville. Mr. Porter said the idea of a transition zone may work. Mr. Porter suggested that any rezonings be delayed until after the neighborhood protection task force meets.