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108 <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that he will try to get a more <br />complete answer to Mr. Brown in response to his petition. <br /> <br /> Mr. Henry Silva, 1735 Easy Lane, stated that he has <br />received enthusiastic response to his attempts to take youth <br />and other community members to the civil rights march on <br />Washington, D. C. planned for August 28th, though he has only <br />raised $100 to date. <br /> <br />CONSENT AGENDA <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter stated that she felt allowing police. <br />officers to use bicycles on the downtown mall was a good idea <br />and should help provide a more rapid response. <br /> <br /> On motion by Rev. Edwards, seconded by Ms. Slaughter, <br />the following consent agenda items were approved, with Ms. <br />Daugherty absent. <br /> <br />Se <br /> <br />APPROPRIATION: $96,448 - Transportation Planning <br /> Grant (carried over) <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: Quitclaim of Mill Creek easement to Va. <br /> Department of Transportation (2nd reading) <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: Police bicycles on downtown mall <br /> (carried over) <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: RESTRUCTURING CITY GOVERNMENT <br /> <br /> On motion by Ms. Slaughter, seconded by Rev. Edwards, <br />Council appointed Mr. Don Borwhat, Ms. Bonnie Guiton, and Ms. <br />Jane Dittmar to the Citizens Advisory Commission for <br />Efficient Government. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix reviewed the principles behind the need to <br />restructure City government as follows: 1) shrinking <br />revenues and increased cost; 2) commitment to quality City <br />services; and 3) the politics of change itself. Mr. Hendrix <br />stated that the Advisory Commission will be an important part <br />of the restructuring and other components will include <br />"living room" groups which will involve more citizens in the <br />process and possibly an additional citizen survey. Mr. <br />Hendrix stated that as a result of restructuring the City <br />will likely see a smaller workforce; reduced revenues; <br />priorities put on services offered; and a high quality of <br />service. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter stressed that there will be different <br />roles for citizens throughout the restructuring process. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: LEAF COLLECTION <br /> <br /> Ms. Judith Mueller, Director of Public Works, explained <br />that the citizen survey conducted during the past spring <br />revealed dissatisfaction with the current method of <br />collecting leaves. Ms. Mueller stated that the vacuum system <br />is not efficient, leaves collect in the drainage systems, <br />collection in this manner is ineffective during wet and snowy <br />weather, wet leaves become dangerous, and the leaves are <br />unattractive. Ms. Mueller stated that other cities have been <br />surveyed regarding their methods of leaf collection and City <br />staff are recommending that the system be changed to the <br />following: the City will offer clear, recyclable bags for <br />leaves free of charge; residents will bag their leaves and <br />place them at curbside during their regular trash collection <br />day; the bags will be collected separately and the leaves put <br />in the Melbourne Road compost pile. Ms. Mueller stated that <br />employees actively participated in recommending this change <br />which should also result in less cost to collect the leaves. <br />Ms. Mueller noted that the new system would mean more work <br />for residents with large yards, though she felt perhaps the <br />change might result in more private composting. <br /> <br /> <br />