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290 <br /> <br /> Ms. Sally Miller, Executive Director of the <br />Charlottesville Downtown Foundation, thanked Council for <br />their continued support of downtown and read a resolution <br />approved by the CDF Board supporting the construction of the <br />parking facility on Water Street. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter requested that CDF work with downtown <br />merchants to provide a strategy for parking downtown. <br /> <br /> Ms. Miller replied that she thought CDF could take a <br /> leadership role in the issue, noting that the real problem <br /> is with commuter parking. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ed Rucker, staff for the Virginia Foundation for the <br /> Humanities, invited Council and the public to attend a <br /> lecture/discussion series regarding the Bill of Rights. <br /> <br />PRESENTATION: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH <br /> <br /> The Mayor presented a proclamation declaring October <br /> "Domestic Violence Awareness" Month to Cartie Lomanac, <br /> Director of the Shelter for Help in Emergency. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: TREE POLICY <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix explained that both the Planning Commission <br />and Urban Design Committee have spent some time on the tree <br />policy and the Planning Commission has recommended that the <br />issue go back to the Urban Design Committee for further <br />study. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters, a member of the Urban Design Committee, <br />requested that Council provide direction before the Urban <br />Design Committee moves forward on the tree policy, adding <br />that she felt the issue of available financial resources <br />could be kept separate for now. Ms. Waters requested that <br />Council react to the following issues: 1) the urban forest <br />program should address all trees in the community but <br />approach trees on public and private land differently; 2) the <br />urban forest program should be developed and implemented in <br />phases, beginning with certain priority areas, species or <br />activities which are yet to be determined; 3) the urban <br />forest plan should address tree removal, tree maintenance, <br />and tree replenishment, with no one activity sacrificed at <br />the expense of others; 4) the urban forester should review <br />and comment on all site plans and public projects for <br />compliance with the City's tree protection plan and <br />ordinances; and 5) the urban forest plan should include a <br />public education and participation component identifying <br />opportunities for using volunteers and public-private <br />partnerships as well as public dollars to implement the plan. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter stated that she agreed with the general <br />outline presented and felt it represented a good beginning. <br /> <br /> Mr. Stan Tatum, Chairman of the Urban Design Committee, <br />requested Council's support for the general program <br />structure, noting that the Committee would recommend more <br />specifics. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Mr. Tatum <br />stated that tree policies have been developed in communities <br />throughout the country. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that the issue of a tree policy goes <br />beyond aesthetics and involves environmental issues and <br />should be considered as part of the City's infrastructure. <br />Mr. Toscano noted that cost is an issue and recommended that <br />as priorities are developed some idea of the cost of such a <br />policy should be determined particularly since limited <br />resources will be available due to downsizing in the number <br />of City employees. Mr. Toscano recommended that the Urban <br />Design Committee be mindful of this issue when developing a <br /> <br /> <br />