1998-07-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

244 Mr. Toscano said that he feels it is good To have the discussion in open session and have the public hear Councilors; thoughts about which Councilors are best suited for certain boards. Mr. Toscano noted that there are a number of boards with Council representation and while Councilors generally indicate their preference, they are not always able to serve on the board that they want. Mr. Toscano noted that the two seats on the MPO were previously held by Meredith Richards and Kay Slaughter, and an argument can be made to reappoint Ms. Richards given her experience and interest. Mr. Toscano nominated Ms. Richards and Mr. Caravati for the MPO. Mr. Toscano said that his criteria for nomination to the MPO includes 1) seniority on Council and the ability to work with the County, with other transportation issues, and with others involved in transportation issues; 2) experience about the regional transportation network and familiarity with the County and City; 3) an understanding of the regional transportation network; and 4) whether the representative can carry the Council's position to the MPO. Mr. Cox said he will make his selection to the MPO based on 1) whether the person has any professional experience in design and planning issues and whether the person has the ability to analyze issues and to communicate effectively the ramifications of those issues; 2) one's willingness to serve and whether the person has the time and willingness to put forth the effort; 3) the person's ability to determine and consider the public's views and to communicate with the public about our transportation needs; and 4) whether decisions are made on the basis of this area's best long-term needs, considering the widest range of factors, and can think hotisticalty about transportation needs in the future. Mr. Cox said he feels the selection has nothing to do with seniority. Mr. Cox said the issue of who is going to be the representative on the MPO is a very important one and their duties will go beyond representing Council's view, but representing this community's views and taking the time to articulate those positions in public to the public, and not simply seconding what the community desires, but challenging them, and educating them to those needs. Ms. Richards said she agrees with many of the criteria put forward by Mr. Cox and she thinks both candidates share many of the criteria. Ms. Richards said she will support Mr. Caravati because of his eight years on the Planning Commission and his experience with two Comprehensive Plans. Ms. Richards noted that Mr. Caravati wrote most of the chapter in the Comprehensive Plan on transportation and has an intimate knowledge of the CATS plan and has been involved in Route 29 Bypass design issues. Ms. Richards said that Mr. Caravati has made an effort to meet and get to know other representatives on the MPO and to familiarize himself with the issues. Ms. Richards seconded the nomination of herself and Mr. Caravati to the MPO. Ms. Daugherty said that she supports Mr. Cox for the MPO because he has shown leadership in alternative transportation, an area that needs to be stressed in our community; and because he has written a statement saying that he would represent Council' s views and how he would do it. Ms. Daugherty said that she feels Mr. Cox has the ability to be articulate and to represent Council in this area. Ms. Daugherty added that Mr. Cox also has seniority on Council, Mr. Toscano said that he is concerned about the level of public discourse in Council Chamber and with problems of race relations and is concerned about the racial polarization around this issue. Mr. Toscano said that we lose track of the idea that Council is supposed to work as a team and sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the benefit of the team Mr. Toscano said that Mr. Cox has shown leadership in community planning, on the Housing Authority, and in urban design opportunities, but when you compare his experience in transportation with Mr. Caravati, Mr. Caravati's experience is superior. Mr. Toscano noted that Mr. Caravati has taken a different position from the majority of Council regarding the Meadowcreek Parkway, but knows that he wilt represent Council's position on the MPO. Mr. Cox said he would like to speak on his own behalf. He said that the competence issue has to deal with his education and professional experience. Mr. Cox said he has not eight years of experience on the Planning Commission, but 20 years working on planning and designing cities. Mr. Cox said that he believes no one else on Council can say they have designed cities or designed a road or understand the