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36 Mr. Francis Fife, represeming the Rivanna Trails Foundation, asked that if Meadowcreek Parkway is built that it be done as environmentally friendly as possible. Ms. Connie Lombardo, 1716 King Mountain Road, representing WHTH Public TV, asked that if Council continues to fund public television that they consider funding one located in the City. Mr. Kevin Lynch, 609 Locust Avenue, expressed concern about Council holding executive sessions on reversion and said that citizens deserve to be fully informed. Mr. Lynch said he would prefer discussions to be held out in the open. Ms. Daugherty said that the Meadowcreek Parkway has been planned a long time and is considered a destination road to benefit downtown and to help preserve Park Street and take traffic off Rio Road. Ms. Daugherty said that the parkway will end at the Route 250 Bypass and the remainder of the road will remain two lanes. Ms. Daugherty said that the design committee is working to improve the design. Mr. Cox, referring to the Meadowcreek Parkway, said he is concerned that the system of checks and balances may not have worked, and he agreed that the City Attorney should look into the matter. Mr. Toscano said that he did not think City had proposed a speed limit of 50 mph as was suggested by a speaker, and noted that the configuration of the road had been shifted after public concern about taking of private property. APPOINTMENTS: CHARLOTTESVILLE SCHOOL BOARD Mr. Richards made a motion to reappoint Ms. Elva Holland and Ms. Mary-Susan Payne to the School Board. Ms. Richards praised Ms. Holland for her public relations activities and Ms. Payne for her effective leadership on the Board. Mr. Toscano seconded the motion and Ms. Elva Holland and Ms. Mary-Susan Payne were unanimously reappointed to three-year terms on the Charlottesville School Board. These terms will expire on June 30, 2000. REPORT: WELFARE REFORM Mr. Robert Cox, Director of Social Services, presented a status report on welfare reform to Council: Mr. Cox reviewed changes in state law: two year time limit for cash assistance; mandatory work requirements; and new work incentives. Federal law changes include: block granting of federal funds for the TANF program; five year lifetime limit on welfare; a limit of three months of foodstamps for unemployed, able-bodied persons with no dependents. Mr. Cox said that the number of clients receiving AFDC/TANF benefits has decreased 23% in the pat two years, with 624 currently receiving benefits. Work requirements and time limits will apply to 350 clients, and over 500 clients will need child care assistance. Mr. Cox said that 2000 households in Charlottesville receive foodstamps, a decrease of 25% over the past two years. Mr. Cox said that there has been substantial community involvement responding to the challenges of welfare reform, and subcommittees have been addressing the areas of transportation, job readiness training, and child care. Mr. Cox listed challenges facing clients as a result of welfare reform: child care, transportation, job retention, education and training, evaluation and coordination, wages and poverty, and changes in the federal safety net. Mr. Cox stressed that taking families off of welfare assistance will not take them out of poverty. Ms. Richards asked if child care needs are urgent, and Mr. Cox said that they are, but that child care is now provided mostly by families. Mr. Cox said the concern is what happens when people go off welfare and have to pay for child care. Responding to questions from Mr. Cox, Mr. Cox (Robert) said that many companies have come forward with offers of jobs, and a variety of ways are being explored to provide job readiness training, including contracting out, providing in-house training, and using