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158 <br /> <br />availability of the da Vinci exhibit to coincide with the <br />opening of the MuSeum in the new location. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Towe, Ms. Constance <br />Palmer, a member of the Discovery Museum Board, stated that <br />the funding from Albemarle County will be used for exhibits. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe stated that he had several concerns for <br />approving the proposal at this time and felt the matter <br />should be considered with other concerns during the budget <br />process. Mr. Towe stated that the proposal would remove the <br />building from other potential commercial uses and the City <br />would lose taxes. Mr. Towe also noted concern that the <br />previous director was no longer available and recommended <br />that Jefferson School be considered as an interim location <br />for the Museum. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that the decision to upgrade and expand <br />the Discovery Museum was made prior to the employment of the <br />former director and noted that the funds which would be used <br />to purchase the building would not compete with operating <br />costs. Mr. Buck noted that the matter has been discussed by <br />the City for six months and that Council had committed nearly <br />$1 million to cultural activities downtown during its work <br />session on the capital budget in June. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever congratulated the Museum on its choice of a <br />director and moved the resolution authorizing the purchase of <br />524 E. Main St. Mr. Buck seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt the proposal to relocate <br /> the Discovery Museum was an unusual opportunity that does not <br /> come along often and she hoped the move would be a catalyst <br />'for private donations to the Museum and other local arts <br /> organizations. In response to questions raised during the <br /> public hearing, Ms. Waters stated that the majority of <br /> revenue sharing funds go to capital projects and the Council <br /> will be considering expanded rent relief for the elderly. <br /> Ms. Waters stated the proposal provided the City an <br /> opportunity to support cultural activities, children's <br /> activities and economic development. <br /> <br /> The resolution authorizing the purchase of 524 E. Main <br />St. was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Buck, <br />Rev. Edwards, Mr. Vandever, Ms. Waters. Noes: Mr. Towe. <br /> <br /> BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of <br />Charlottesville, Virginia that the Council hereby authorizes <br />the purchase of property known as 524 East Main Street, <br />designated as Parcel 70 on City Tax Map 53, from Ronald D. <br />Wiley, Jr., Trustee for the 524 East Main Street Land Trust, <br />for the sum of $427,500.00, pursuant to a real estate <br />purchase contract dated November 28, 1989. The City Attorney <br />is hereby authorized to take whatever steps are necessary to <br />effect such purchase. <br /> <br />APPROPRIATION: $501,484 - PURCHASE OF 524 EAST MAIN STREET <br /> <br /> On motion by Rev. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Buck, the <br />$501,484 appropriation for the purchase of the property at <br />524 E. Main Street was offered and carried over to the next <br />meeting for consideration. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: DRUG TASK FORCE REPORT <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix reviewed the report of the Drug Task Force, <br />noting that many ueople in ~the community had been contacted <br />and the Task Force had gotten a good view of what is <br />happening in the community and what is likely to happen in <br />the future. Mr. Hendrix stated that the Task Force felt that <br />to solve the drug problem you must get at the root causes of <br />why people take drugs. Mr. Hendrix stated that the problem <br />exists in all neighborhoods in the City and many families are <br /> <br /> <br />