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157 <br /> <br /> Ms. Olivia Boykin asked if the standards were not lowered for the Chief, why are police <br />officers required to have a degree. <br /> <br /> Mr. Freddie Murray, a former school employee, asked if we will be able to keep up <br />with other communities if the standards are lowered: 1~. Murray said that he feels we <br />should have high standards for the Chief of Police. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards said that the City Manager always got input from Council in hiring <br />department heads. Rev. Edwards said he did not come down to oppose Mr. Rittenhouse, but <br />the pastors believe the educational requirement should remain. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that since November of t995, all promotions in the Police <br />Department have been based on a combination of education and experience, with more points <br />given for education. Mr. O'Connell noted that a combination of education and experience are <br />considered in the Career Development Program in the Police Department, and educational <br />experience on the job is credited. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter noted that the City Code provides that the Council shall approve the City <br />Manager's appointment of Police Chief. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sally Nelson, 36 University Circle, thanked Council for eliminating the parking <br />spaces on the first block of University Circle. <br /> <br /> Ms. Karen Dugal, 20 University Circle, thanked Council and the City Manager for <br />removing the parking on University Circle and for improving the safety on the street. <br /> <br /> Mr. Mark Rankin, speaking on behalf of students who live on University Circle, said <br />that removing the parking spaces has replaced a traffic problem with a safety problem as <br />students will be forced to park in adjacent neighborhoods and walk to their apartments late at <br />night. Mr. Rankin noted that UTS only operates until midnight and that University Hall has <br />been the site of two sexual assaults this year. Mr. Rankin proposed that instead of removing <br />the parking, the traffic be made one way on the entire Circle. Mr. Rankin presented a <br />petition in support of his con~nents. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tom Hill expressed anger about the $8.5 million forgiven on the Onmi loan, and <br />the $3 million lost in 1987, and questioned the legality- of the action taken by the Housing <br />Authority, including the sections cited for executive session. Mr. Hill asked Council to ask <br />the Attorney General about this and whether The Housing Authority has the legal authority <br />to forgive the loan. <br /> <br /> Mr. Carter Griffith, University Circle, encouraged an open forum and dialogue on <br />parking concerns on University Circle. <br /> <br />PRESENTATION: <br /> <br /> Ms. Elizabeth Crabtree, a teacher at Clark Elementary School, was recognized for her <br />receipt of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teacher. <br /> <br /> Ms. Crabtree thanked the Council, the Community Development Block Grant Task <br />Force, Social Development Commission, Purchasing Department, School Board, and <br />community for helping to make the program possible. <br /> <br />CONSENT AGENDA <br /> <br /> Ms. Karen Kastner, 937 Belmont Avenue, applauded the decision by the Council and <br />Board of Supervisors to increase the advertising budget for the Visitors Center, but was <br />disturbed that no local firm was hired and few were contacted about the request for <br />proposals. Ms. Kastner said she would like to see a new request for proposals advertised. <br /> <br /> <br />