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165 <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connelt said that the Urban Design Committee, at the request of Council, <br />advertised and sought names for the bridge. After developing a set of criteria, the Committee <br />recommended that the bridge be named West Main Street Bridge. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she is respectful of the process, but uninspired by the recommended <br />name. Ms. Richards made a motion to name the bridge the Drewary Brown Bridge, who she <br />said has been building bridges in the community for many years. Ms. Slaughter seconded the <br />motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said that he thinks it is odd that Council allows a process to go forward, <br />gives the charge to the Urban Design Committee, and then after a unanimous vote by the <br />Committee, the Council changes its mind. Mr. Toscano suggested that the issue be pursued <br />further with the Urban Design Committee. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty said that she would like to commemorate someone in the community, <br />even though the bridge may still be called the West Main Street Bridge. Ms. Daugherty said <br />that she agrees with the suggestion to honor Mr. Brown, but would also like to support <br />naming the bridge after Rebecca McGinness because of the lack of recognition of women in <br />the community. Ms. Daugherty said that such a designation would also recognize teachers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox noted that other bridges in the City are named after locations, though he <br />thought that Starr Hill would also be a good name. Mr. Cox suggested that the structure of <br />the bridge be used to commemorate many people in the community, inserting plaques in the <br />squares of the bridge, perhaps using percent fbr art funds. Mr. Cox said this wOuld provide <br />the opportunity to compliment the Urban Design Committee process and commemorate <br />people. <br /> <br />Mr. Toscano said he thought that Mr. Cox's idea makes a great deal of sense. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter asked about the availability of percent for art funds, and Mr. Ron <br />Higgins, Acting Director in the Department of Community Development, said that existing <br />funds were used for the signs at major entrances to the City, detail on the bridge railing, <br />walks on west side of the tracks, and a stylized linear map commemorating stops along the <br />train system. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox made a substitute motion to name the bridge the West Main Street Bridge and <br />use the bridge to commemorate people in the community. Mr. Cox suggested that the Urban <br />Design Committee be asked to collaborate with an architect to find an appropriate place for <br />this type of insertion on the bridge. <br /> <br />Ms. Richards and Ms. Slaughter accepted Mr. Cox's substitute motion. <br /> <br /> Council unanimously voted to name the bridge the West Main Street Bridge and to ask <br />the Urban Design Committee to suggest appropriate places on the bridge for commemoration <br />plaques. <br /> <br />Mr. Toscano suggested that the Urban Design Committee also consider the <br />appropriateness of using the train station platform and canopy area for commemoration. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION <br />ORDINANCE BONDS <br /> <br /> Ms. Rita Scott, Director of Finance, explained that the ordinance would authorize up to <br />$24 million in general obligation bonds: $10 million in new bonds ($5 million for ongoing <br />capital projects, including schools projects and parks), and up to $14 million to refinance <br />existing debt. Ms. Scott said that the process will again involve the City being rated, and it is <br />hoped that the City will maintain the AAA bond rating. Ms. Scott noted that the City <br />remains the smallest city in the United States with that rating. <br /> <br /> <br />