1997-04-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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291 not have attended the main PVCC campus. Mr. Toscano said that the PVCC Center is not the program bargained for which it was originally set up. Ms. Slaughter said she would also be interested in knowing what U. Va.'s expectations are for job creation for the Center students. Regarding the community relations and landscaping employees, Mr. Toscano said he wants to make sure that Council has thought through the issue of adding staff. Mr. Toscano said he does think it is important to tell the City's story better, but hopes that the community relations position will be funded on the basis ora one-year contract until we know if it works. Mr. O'Connell explained that the community relations employee will likely work with the schools as well since the schools are eliminating their community relations position. Mr. Cox agreed with l/miting the position, but felt that two years would be more realistic for achieving certain goals. Ms. Daugherty said she would agree with an initial two-year time period. Ms. Daugherty suggested that it may be possible for the community relations employee to set up certain programs or activities that could be picked up by others should the position not be renewed. Councilors agreed to fund the community relations position and to evaluate the position after a two-year period. Regarding the addition of a landscape technician, Mr. Toscano said he realizes the importance of beautiful spaces to the community, but noted that some will attack the position as adding to the City's bureaucracy. Mr. O'Connell said that the position will focus on neighborhood entrances. Mr. O'Connell said the position was eliminated from the budget a few years ago and its absence has been noticeable in the community. Traffic calming was discussed. Mr. O'Connell said he feels there is more than enough money in the budget for traffic calming given the staff available, Mr. O'Connell said that while the focus at this meeting is funding, two major issues need to be discussed in the future: how do you get neighborhood residents involved in the process, and what do neighborhoods really want. Mr. O'Connell recorranended that staffmake a proposal for a planning process with neighborhoods. Ms. Daugherty said she is not ready to put a lot of money into traffic calming until she knows what it is for and how much it will cost. Ms. Richards recommended that the City facilitate getting information out to neighborhoods. h/Ir. Cox recommended that easy, non-controversial traffic calming efforts be implemented immediately. Ms. Slaughter recommended that an ad hoc group look at connecting bike lanes throughout the City. Ms. Judith Mueller, Director of Public Works, said she continues to meet with downtown representatives about funding for the HOO bus, noting that she feels it needs to be a partnership. Ms. Richards asked if the proposed location of the public access center will impact the City's budget, and Jeanne Cox, Clerk of City Council, replied that no City funding will be required for the relocation if it is approved.