Laserfiche WebLink
3 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />on small businesses. They distributed a packet with the results of a survey they conducted, <br />showing that 80% of the small businesses survey ed already pay above the federal minimum <br />wage. <br /> <br />Mr. Ethan Elzey, 939 Wolf Trap Rd., presented Council with information about the <br />Belmont Bridge project. He said there is a sight line barrier between the Downtown Mall and <br />Belmont, and this should be removed . Budgetary information is not readily available to the <br />public, and estimates may be biased in favor of the bridge. He urged Council to take a long term <br />view on this project. <br /> <br />Ms. Alex Dowell, Ms. Danielle Christmas, and Mr. Taylor Collier, said they have been <br />following the Stonehenge projec t. They have researched the 26 -home project and concluded that <br />it should be accepted. The by -right plan would be worse for the environment and the <br />neighborhood. <br /> <br />Mr. Charlie Sheehan and a group of Monticello High Scho ol students said they have been <br />doing research on the Belmont Bridge. While they were not able to get numbers and assistance <br />on the project, they were able to speak to the contractor. They urged Council to consider the <br />underpass. They said they are frust rated with the delays and slow pace of the bridge project. <br /> <br />Ms. Julia Sheehan , 602 Nettle Ct., said uranium mining has become a big issue in our area. <br />The environmental risks are not worth the potential income uranium mining could provide. <br /> <br />Mr. Brandon Col lins, 418 Fairway Ave., said he is disappointed with Council's mindset on <br />poverty. Please promote programs that make jobs and access more readily available. <br /> <br />Dr. M. Rick Turner, President of the Albemarle/Charlottesville NAACP, said he has <br />contacted Counc il a bout employing a full -time African American at the CACVB. Mr. Burkhart <br />said that the CACVB does not currently have any African American staff members. He said this <br />is unacceptable for such an important agency and asked Council what they will do to ad dress the <br />lack of racial diversity at the CACVB. <br /> <br />Ms. Riley Cole, Monticello High School student, said the drone moratorium was premature <br />because we do not know enough about the technology yet to ban it. Drones can help research <br />weather and environmental i ssues and can create jobs. <br /> <br /> <br />COUNCIL RESPONSES TO MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC <br /> <br />Ms. Smith thanked the Monticello High School students for speaking about relevant issues. <br />She appreciated young people getting involved. She supported the request to examine a uranium <br />resolution. She thanked Ms. Bates and Dr. Turner for bringing up issues that she believes will be <br />addressed through the Human Rights Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Norris thanked Dr. Turner for bringing up important issues. We have a lot of work to <br />do to become a City that invites diversity. He said he is very troubled by the blasting at the