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12 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC <br /> <br /> Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge St., said he was disappointed Council passed on <br />the NEA grant opportunity . H e said Council should wan t to have arts and cultural input <br />in all the infrastructural projects that are moving forward in the City. He does no t see the <br />downside of looking into a project and trying to maximize the available opportunities in <br />our community to build a bridge between Belmont and the downtown mall cultural <br />centers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Scott Bandy, 639 Cherry Ave ., said responsible hunters in surrounding areas <br />have contributed venison to area food banks. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brevy Cannon, 710 Ridge St., said the NEA grant i s designed to be much <br />mo re flexible. It helps a municipality come to a decision when one has not yet been <br />made. It i s a shame to walk away from a match when you a re willing to spend the money <br />anyway. Worst case scenario, you give the grant back if you canno t spend the money. <br /> <br /> Mr. Craig Jackson, 631 Blenheim Ave., and president of Belmont Carlton <br />Neighborhood Association , said he has b een involved with the bridge conversation. T he <br />competition has produced some mind blowing ideas, and this is a great opportunity to <br />improve the urban fabric. He is g lad to hear continued conversation, which is required to <br />move forward. He appreciated hearing that there will be a commitment to the bridge <br />design process either way. <br /> <br /> Ms. Julia Williams, 751 Belmont Ave., said she sympathizes that Council feels <br />rushed, but they have answers. T his grant provides a lot of flexibility. This is doubling <br />money we are already willing to commit. UVA is going to do the heavy lifting in this <br />grant writing. There is no downside to submitting the applicati on. Council should take <br />advantage of the people here who can help answer questions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Mark Kavit, 400 Altamont St., said you have a team that can write the grant <br />and put it together without much effort on the part of Council. He asked Council to <br />reope n this issue tonight. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brian Wimer, 704 Belmont, said the goal is to make this bridge beautiful. <br />Everything applies to this grant, because art is subjective. It i s about how art inspires. <br />This will not lock you down, but will open opportunities. <br /> <br /> <br />COUNCIL RESPONSE <br /> <br /> Ms. Szakos said we could have made a decision on the NEA grant if it had been <br />put before Council two weeks ago.