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220 <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that staff were proposing that free <br />bus rides be provided for youth similar to last year's <br />program, with some modifications. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller explained that last year's program resulted <br />in a $8,000 revenue loss for the Transit System and that such <br />a loss was unlikely to be able to be absorbed in next year's <br />budget due to reductions and an additional appropriation <br />might be necessary. Ms. Mueller stated that staff <br />recommended issuing identification cards to youth to address <br />problems with the conduct of some youth and with persons over <br />18 years old using the program. <br /> <br /> Mr. Darden Towe, Chairman of the City's Parks Committee, <br />stated that the Committee recommended repeating the free bus <br />rides and recommended an identification system, with the <br />youth required to pay the replacement cost of the I.D. should <br />it be lost. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter made a motion to approve the free summer <br />bus rides for youths 18 and under, using identification <br />cards, and added that the cards might be useful for other <br />parks and recreation programs. Mr. Toscano seconded the <br />motion and it was unanimously approved by Council. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: LONG STREET HOUSES- VDOT <br /> <br /> Mr. Louie Chapman, Assistant City Manager, stated that <br />the proposal for use of the Long Street houses was to provide <br />an opportunity for moderate income persons to rent the houses <br />for two years and to set aside a portion of the rent to be <br />used for a downpayment for home ownership. Mr. Chapman <br />stated that the Virginia Department of Transportation plans <br />to demolish the eastern most house, potentially leaving three <br />houses to be used for this purpose. Mr. Chapman stated that <br />the issue of safety has been raised since the primary access <br />to the houses will be discontinued with the widening of Long <br />Street and since access would have to come from Burnley Moran <br />School property. Mr. Chapman stated that the houses are <br />structurally sound and have been offered to the City by VDOT <br />for ~100,000. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tim McKeon of 822 St. Clair Avenue, representing the <br />Burnley Moran Neighborhood Association, stated that the <br />neighborhood has no objections to the plan itself, but <br />because the properties are adjacent to Burnley Moran School <br />felt that it would be better to add the property to the <br />school grounds. Mr. McKeon stated that the wall which was <br />proposed to be built in front of the houses would have a <br />negative aesthetic impact on a major entrance into the City. <br />Mr. McKeon expressed concern about the cost, about the access <br />which would be necessary from the school property, and <br />questioned why the houses were now deemed habitable when they <br />had previously been determined to be unsuitable for <br />habitation. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano questioned whether VDOT has put the houses <br />on the open market. <br /> <br /> Mr. Chapman stated that he has been getting mixed <br />signals from VDOT, but it appears that VDOT is interested in <br />working with the City on the properties. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that private purchasers would not be <br />able to get access to their properties. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that the City appears to be in a good <br />position since VDOT appears willing to work with staff and <br />since access would be difficult for any other purchaser. Ms. <br />Waters continued that while the concept of providing <br />transitional housing has merit, she did not think the houses <br />on Long Street were in a good location and would create <br />parking and traffic problems. Ms. Waters questioned whether <br /> <br /> <br />