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245 Ms. Slaughter said that her concern is staffing of the commission, and .suggested that some of the issues proposed for the commission would likely be studied by the League of Women Voters. Ms. Daugherty said she would not favor having a commission study the entire reversion issue as Council has for months, but would recommended that the group divide up into subcormnittees to study certain aspects such as schools and City employees, rather than focus on the general issue of reversion. Mr. Cox said he feels the work of the League would complement, not compete with the commission. Mr. Cox said a diversity of opinion is needed, and suggested that the County be given the opportunity to appoint members to the commission. Ms. Daugherty said she would not be interested in a commission discussing the pros and cons of school consolidation, but rather how consolidation could be achieved while retaining the best features of both systems. Mr. Toscano expressed concern about the purpose of the commission, adding that establishing such a commission 18 months ago would have made sense, Mr. Toscano noted that neither the Commission on Local Government nor the Court has the authority to impose conditions regarding school consolidation, and therefore it serves no purpose to advise on that issue, and would set up expectations by the public that such issues would be considered as part of the reversion statute when they will not. Mr. Toscano also expressed concern about limited stafftime to provide information and staffsuch a commission. Mr. Toscano suggested that Councilors lead a series of focus groups rather than establish a commission. Mr. Cox said he would favor moving forward to appoint a commission of approximately 25 members which meet once a week for a three-month period. Ms. Slaughter said she would favor some form of a committee, perhaps made up of small groups. Ms. Daugherty said that she will work on a proposed charge for a committee, with input from staff, to include the selection process of members and a timetable. It was agreed that the Blue Ribbon Commissions focus groups, and smaller committee would be discussed at the February 7th meeting. Councilors agreed to participate in the League of Women Voters forum on reversion tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 22nd. The meeting was adjourned. President (.,) ~ COUNCIL CHAMBER - February 3, 1997 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano. RECOGNITION: CHS GIRL'S BASKETBALL TEAlVl Council recognized the Charlottesville High School Gift's Basketball Team and coach, Harry, Terrell, for their successful season. PUBLIC Mr. Brent Nelson, 214 South Street, expressed concern that he has not received a response from Council since his comments at the October, 1996 Council meeting regarding demolition of historic structures.