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34 <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, only 21 states and the District of Columbia include sexual <br />orientation-based crimes in their hate crimes statutes; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, Virginia has failed to pass legislation to add sexual orientation and <br />gender to Virginia' s hate crimes laws; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, the results of a Virginia State Crime Commission study documented <br />fifty-eight anti,gay hate crimes in Virginia during 1997; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, hate crimes are not simply a problem of far-away towns and cities, <br />but one that is local as well; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, it is a matter of documented public record that Charlottesville <br />resident James Evan Kittredge was kidnapped, brutally beaten and left for dead in the <br />trunk of his car on November 1, 1996; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, in the perpetrators own words, this act of violence was motivated by <br />anti-gay hatred; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, the Charlottesville City Council does deplore the acts of violence <br />and inhumanity that lead to Matthew Shepard's death and James Evan Kittredge's <br />beating; <br /> <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF <br />THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, that we do encourage the Legislative <br />Delegation of the City of Charlottesville to support passage of hate crimes legislation in <br />the Virginia General Assembly that includes sexual orientation in the categories of <br />individuals for whom penalties for crimes intentionally directed at them are enhanced. <br />We also encourage the Virginia State Congressional Delegation to support passage of the <br />federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act. <br /> <br /> The City's Legislative Package was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. <br />Caravati, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. Noes: None. Absent: Mr. Cox. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: RESTRICTING TRUCK TRAFFIC AND REDUCING SPEED LIMIT <br />ON PARK STREET NORTH OF 250 BYPASS <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that the ordinance will change the speed limit on the <br />entire length of Park Street to 25 m.p.h, and will expand the truck ban to the north bound <br />lane north of the 250 Bypass. Mr. O'Connell said that staff have not yet looked at the <br />implications of extending the truck ban to south of the 250 Bypass to High Street. <br /> Mr. Toscano moved the ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING <br />AND REORDAINING SECTIONS 15-73 AND 15-99 OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE <br />CITY CODE, 1990, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SPEED LIMITS AND <br />RESTRICTIONS ON TRUCK TRAFFIC," and asked that staff find out more about the <br />implications of banning trucks between the 250 Bypass and High Street. Mr. Caravati <br />seconded the motion and it was carried over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he would be interested in staff looking at banning commercial <br />trucks, not just the large ones, who use Rio Road instead of Route 29 and the 250 Bypass. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vanaman said that the state only gives cities the power to ban trucks with <br />three or more axles. <br /> <br />Mr. Gouldman said he will further check the City's ability to regulate other trucks. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that other areas in the City have been recommended for lower <br />speed limits and they will be brought before Council at a later date. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said he hopes the lower speed limit on Park Street will be enforced. <br /> <br />REPORT: BUDGET STRATEGIES <br /> <br /> <br />