Laserfiche WebLink
48 <br /> <br />Virginia has traditionally been insensitive to.the community. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt the communitY has had <br />some success in dealing with the University and efforts such <br />as redesigning projects in response to community concerns, <br />the initiation of discussions about service fees, and the <br />funding provided by the University to the Sexual Assault <br />Resource Agency for the first time should be acknowledged. <br /> <br /> Council discussed continuing pressure on the University <br />to pay greater fees to the City, coordinating bus service <br />with the University, and coordinating, efforts to establish <br />bike paths <br /> <br />Drainage <br /> <br /> Shifting funds from the city-wide drainage program to <br />neighborhood projects was discussed as a way to help address <br />the long waiting list. Staff was dir.ected to provide a <br />complete report to Council on the drainage policy by the end ~ <br />of October. <br /> <br />Downtown Revitalization/EconomicDevelopment <br /> <br /> Council~discussed the possibility of,the Charlottesville <br />Industrial Development Authority (~CIDA) !~iServing as a business <br />consultant to Council, It .was agreed that Mr Vandever and <br />Mr. Toscano would talk further with CIDA~i~members. <br /> <br /> Council members discussed what they would like~'to <br />achieve regarding economic development and two goals <br />identified were increasing the commercial tax base and <br />expanding employment opportunities. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter recommended that consideration be given to <br />establishing a special tax district downtown to fund future <br />improvements. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'COnnell stated that the Charlottesville Downtown <br />Foundation is preparing a report which will be presented to <br />Council in October. <br /> <br />Housing <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards requested Council's ~response %o the idea of <br />a Mayor's Prayer Breakfast to generate interest among <br />architects, buildings, bankers, etc. within churches to <br />volunteer to help rehabilitate older buildings and provide <br />other assistance regarding housing. <br /> <br /> Council members favored Rev. Edwards' suggestion and <br />recommended that he coordinate with other groups such as the <br />Charlottesville Housing Foundation in his efforts to mobilize <br />private resources. <br /> <br /> Mr, Toscano proposed that CoUncil discuss the following <br />questions: What is meant by affordable 'housing? How is <br />Council going to focus its attention on housing? Does <br />Council support options that integrate affordable housing <br />within neighborhoods? <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter recommended that Council focus its efforts <br />on providing home ownership opportunities for people who <br />otherwise could not afford to buy. Ms. Slaughter stated that <br />she considers under $60,000 to be affordable housing. <br /> <br /> Plans for the property adjacent to Pen Park and the <br />CSX property were discussed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters recommended working more with the <br />Charlottesville Housing Foundation. With~ regard to vacant <br />land, Ms. Waters stated that she felt Council needed to <br />consider the.option of affordable housing versus the need for <br /> <br /> <br />