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<br />community relations position, a training position, a landscaper and volunteer coordinator in
<br />the Parks division; provides a 3% overall increase for the schools; additional child care
<br />dollars for welfare reform; capital funds for Washington Park pool replacement and park
<br />renovations; and funding for bike lanes and traffic calming.
<br />
<br />The public hearing was opened.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Mary Jane King, representing Piedmont Virginia Community College, thanked
<br />Council for support of the PVCC Neighborhood Center, which has served 600 students since
<br />it has opened, and noted that the Center will look to provide more employment related
<br />activities.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Kevin Lynch, 609 Locust Avenue, said that a number of neighborhood associations
<br />have been meeting to discuss traffic calming, and asked that the budget be increased for
<br />traffic calming and bike lanes. Mr. Lynch recommended that a long-term strategy be
<br />developed to deal with through traffic, and said that he opposes the proposed Meadowcreek
<br />Parkway. Mr. Lynch said that pedestrian improvements and more mass transit are needed,
<br />speed traps should be set (frees should be increased and the City should stop posting radar
<br />locations), bike lanes should be on all arterial streets, and the City should aggressively pursue
<br />traffic calming and decrease the red tape required to have traffic calming projects approved.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Darcy Phillips, 703 Bolling Avenue, representing the Belmont Neighborhood
<br />Association, asked that funds be allocated for traffic calming in Belmont, including traffic
<br />lights, four-way stop signs, bike lanes, and cross walks.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Baughan Roemer, 11 Altamont Circle, President of the North Downtown
<br />Residents Association, asked that the traffic calming process be made more user friendly, and
<br />asked that more funding for traffic calming be provided both this year and next. Mr. Roemer
<br />said that he supports the two-waying of Market Street for a six month trial period unless the
<br />consultant recommends against it, additional speed limit signs, improved pedestrian safety,
<br />four-way stop signs, and funding for the HOO bus (charging a small fee if necessary).
<br />
<br /> Ms. Mary MacNeil, 710 Ridge Street, Secretary of the Ridge Street Neighborhood
<br />Association, opposed the Meadowcreek Parkway and supported increased funding for traffic
<br />calming. Ms. MacNeil recommended that the speed limit on 5th Street be reduced, that bold
<br />pedestrian crosswalks be added, that no right on red be allowed at Cherry Avenue, that bike
<br />lanes be added, and that funding for traffic calming be increased to $50,000 per
<br />neighborhood.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Peter Thompson, Route 3, Box 189-E, representing WVPT, encouraged Council
<br />to support the 3% increase in funding for WVPT.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Leslie Harris, 767 Prospect Avenue, asked for full funding for Washington Park,
<br />and asked Council to keep its commitment to use contingency funds to complete the
<br />renovation of the park.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Ruby Stratford Boston, co-chair of the African-American Cultural Arts Festival,
<br />said that the Festival will take place on July 26th when a portrait of Booker T. Washington
<br />will be unveiled. Ms. Boston applauded Council for funding the Washington Park
<br />renovations and asked that adequate funding be provided to complete the renovations.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Anne McGerky, 1613-B Amherst Street, said she is pleased that the renovations at
<br />Washington Park will be funded, and said she hopes that the rest of the funding will be
<br />available when it is needed.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Nancy Bowen, volunteer president of the Charlottesville swim team supported
<br />funding for Washington Park renovations.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Larry Herbert, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, thanked
<br />Council for supporting funding for the Parks volunteer coordinator and Washington Park
<br />
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