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72 COUNCIL CHAMBER - November 5, 1990 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Rev. Edwards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano, Mr. Vandever, Ms. Waters. MINUTES On motion by Ms. Waters, seconded by Mr. Vandever, the minutes of the October 4th were unanimously approved as presented. On motion by Ms. Waters, seconded by Ms. Slaughter, the minutes of the October 10th meeting were approved as corrected, with Mr. Vandever abstaining. On motion by Mr. Toscano, seconded by Mr. Vandever, the minutes of the October 15th meeting were approved as amended, with Ms. Waters abstaining. PUBLIC Ms. Ethel Henderson, a resident of the Fifeville neighborhood, expressed concern with the resignation of Mr. Gerald Strand, the City's Drug~Coordinator and with statements she stated had been made by City officials that the drug problem was a black problem. Ms. Henderson also asked the following: ~what effect have the mounted patrols had, what are the costs associated with the police horses, how many drug arrests have been made recently, why officers in the drug unit are not available after 6:00 p.m., and why are City employees not given urine tests for drugs? Rev. Edwards stated that he would respond to Ms. Henderson's concerns and questions. Mr. Greg Honn requested that restrictions on amusement arcades on the downtown mall be lifted. Mr. Harry Henderson, a resident of the Fifeville neighborhood, stated that the drug problem in Charlottesville is not restricted to the black neighborhoods and he asked what the City can do to help solve the problem. Mr. William Lewis, 800 Rose Hill Drive and President of the Central ~Virginia Minority Business Association, requested that Council assist with the funding of the Association's annual banquet which will feature Tony Brown as the speaker. Mr. Lewis stated that the Association will donate one table to local youth who otherwise would not be able to attend. Mr. Toscano asked whether other merchants have supported the banquet, what the Association will do if excess funds are raised, and what the rationale would be for the City to contribute to the Minority Business Association banquet and not to other non-profit events. Mr. Lewis replied that merchants have provided support, that excess funds would be put in the intern and mentor program or could be returned to the City, and felt that the appropriation was justified since the members of the Association contribute to the City's tax base. Mr. George Bates, legal counsel for the Minority Business Association, requested that Council support the Association's banquet and referred to the loss of minority businesses on Vinegar Hill. Mr. Charles Alexander, a member of the Minority Business Association, emphasized that the Association needed the financial support from the City.