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223 <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever ~listed the applicants for the vacancy on <br />the School Board: Mr. Michael Masters, Ms. Mary-Susan Payne, <br />and Ms. Lucia Wallis Smith. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br />As there were no speakers the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVOLVING LOAN FUND <br /> <br /> Mr. Satyendra Huja, Director of Community Development, <br />explained that the purpose of the proposed historic <br />preservation revolving loan fund was to provide low interest <br />loans primarily for the exterior renovation of historic <br />properties. Mr. Huja reviewed the proposed terms, procedures <br />and criteria for approving loans and recommended that a <br />committee be established to review loan applications which <br />would consist of three representatives of the Board of <br />Architectural Review, a citizen at-large, and a member of the <br />banking community. <br /> <br /> Ms. Linda Peacock, Budget Administrator, explained that <br />funds had been set aside for this purpose by Council in the <br />contingency fund of the capital fund. <br /> <br /> On motion by Ms. Daugherty, seconded by Ms. Slaughter, <br />the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund was approved as <br />outlined by Mr. Huja, with Mr. Toscano absent. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: EAST END MALL EXTENSION <br /> <br /> Mr. Gary O'Connell, Deputy City Manager, explained that <br />the bid for the extension of the east end of the downtown <br />mall had come in $500,000 over budget and therefore Council <br />needed to consider alternatives in order to move forward with <br />the project. Mr. O'Conne!l stated that it was recommended <br />that the project move forward as originally designed, with <br />the pedestrian tunnel and amphitheater, but with no <br />renovation on or west of 7th Street. Mr. O'Connell noted <br />that the Michie Company has agreed to a six-month extension <br />of the requirement to "substantially" complete construction <br />of the tunnel. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Slaughter, Mr. <br />O'Connell stated that the issue of where to relocate the <br />veterans' memorial remains to be decided. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty questioned how the east end extension will <br />be integrated into the existing mall design if the work in <br />front of City Hall is not done and whether the design <br />committee will look into this matter. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell stated that it was felt that the east end <br />extension will be a park type setting which could stand <br />alone. <br /> <br /> On motion by Ms. Daugherty, seconded by Rev. Edwards, <br />Council voted to approve construction of the tunnel (with <br />modifications) and the amphitheater (redesigned)~ delete the <br />work on 7th Street and the work in front of City Hall, with <br />Mr. Toscano absent. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: PEDESTRIAN/SIDEWALK PLAN <br /> <br /> Mr. Bruce McNabb, Assistant Director of Public Works, <br />requested that Council provide direction on expending funds <br />for sidewalks, in particular how major funding is allocated <br />between new construction and reconstruction. Mr. McNabb <br />reviewed the following major programs and sources of funding: <br />new major construction (sidewalks) - Capital Improvement <br />Program (CIP); new construction (neighborhood drainage) - <br />CIP, with property owner contributing 25% of total cost; new <br /> <br /> <br />