1998-05-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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206 PRESENTATION: RIVANNA RIVER FESTIVAL AND JUNIOR LEAGUE DUCK RACE 3Ar. John Hermsmier of the Environmental Education Center, described activities proposed for the Rivanna River Festival to be held on Saturday, May 9th at Darden Towe Park. Mr. Hermsmier explained that the Rivanna River is an important asset to the entire region and exhibits at the Festival will focus on educational, environmental and entertainment aspects of the River. Ms. Suzette Buck, Co-Chair of the Fund Raising Committee of the Junior League, explained that the Junior League's Duck Race, to benefit the Shelter for Help in Emergency, will be held in conjunction with the River Festival. PUBLIC HEARING/RESOLUTION: CONSOLIDATED PLAN AMENDMENT Mr. O'Cormell explained that amendments to the Consolidated Plan were considered by Council at its April 6th meeting, and the public had 30 days in which to comment on those proposed amendments. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Ben Thacker-Gwaltney, 309 Monte Vista Avenue, and an employee of the Monticello Area Community Action Agency, spoke against the amendments proposed at the April 6th meeting. Mr. Thacker-Gwaltney suggested that the Consolidated Plan be kept as is and that Council and the community have a dialogue over the next year prior to adopting a new 5-year Consolidated Plan. Mr. James King supported Mr. Thacker-Gwaltney's comments and the retention of the original language. Mr. King said he feels that more discussion is needed and Albemarle County should be included in the discussion. Mr. Eric Kott, 409 Altamont Street, a member of the faculty at the University of Virginia and the Labor Action Group at the University which is involved in the living wage campaign advocating for no less than $8 an hour for University workers, urged Council to halt action on changing the Plan and have more discussion before making a change that he feels could create more social polarization. Ms. Joy Johnson, 823-D Hardy Drive, opposed changes in the priorities of the Plan and asked Council to take a good look at it and have more of a dialogue with residents. As there were no further speakers the public hearing was dosed. Ms. Slaughter noted that the City Attorney had presented Council with the option of leaving the Consolidated Plan as it is and submitting a new plan to HUD in t 8 to 24 months. Ms. Daugherty said that she favors leaving all the priorities as they are, but said that she thinks the public has misunderstood what the priorities mean, noting that Council never intended to stop services to low income residents. Ms. Daugherty said Council now understands that the priorities have no weight in opposing new low-income developments, which was one of the reasons to amend the Plan. Ms. Richards said she is comfortable with Ms. Daugherty's comments, and added that the Plan appears to have no real impact on the delivery of services. Ms. Daugherty made a motion to keep the priorities as the5, were and to continue discussion until a new plan is developed. Mr. Cox seconded the motion. ~&. Cox said that a discussion is going on about diversifying housing and he feels discussion of the Consolidated Plan should be held in tandem with those discussions.