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24g During the year the appeal -,vas being heard, the Council continued to negotiate and talk with the County, and some efforts are proceeding; notably the talks about fire service have proceeded under the mediation of Judge Jay Swett. Also, the City and County have worked together in the area of transportation, especially alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle. The County has built several park and ride lots and helped CTS to start bus service to Pantops Mountain and to PVCC. This summer the appeal was won, putting the reversion petition back in center court. Now it is up to this Council, a different Council, to decide 'whether we want our goals to be pursued through the courts or to continue to negotiate directly with the County on matters concerning our future. That is why we are considering a resolution and that is why we are having this hearing tonight." The public hearing was opened. Mr. Kevin Cox, Fairway Avenue, said that when the reversionissue was frost discussed, he believed that it could save a lot of money and might hasten consolidation of the City and County. Mr. Cox said that he stopped-attending reversion meetings when the prominent issue began to be that the City needed money and they County had it. Mr. Cox said he supports the proposed resolution. Mr. Cox said the County does not want the City and the County, after reversion, would have significant power over the City. The Cotmty would make decisions regarding -voting districts which could dilute the City's voting strength. The resulting Town Council would have very little power. Mr. Cox said the City has found that it does not need the County. Towns do not have the same power over the Department of Transportation as do cities. Mr. Cox said holding a club over someone does not foster cooperation. Mr. loban Pfaltz, Rugby Road, asked Council to kffi the proposed resolution. Mr. Pfaltz said he is not clear if he wants reversion, but he feels we really should have a regional government and policy maker. Mr. Pfattz said 3,000 citizens signed the petition and it is important that the issue be heard and discussed. Mr. Pfaltz said approving the resolution will send a message that the City does not want to hear from its citizens. Mr. Garrett Smith, 329 Parkway, attorney representing the town reversion committee and a member of the committee, said he is optimistic about the benefits of a regional government. Mr. Smith said he has reviewed the pmposat resolutionand feels there are-good things in it such as engaging the County and having an aversion to litigation. Mr. Smith said that reversion is a bad statute. Mr. Smith said that he feels the language in the resolution ending the prOCess is inappropriate because action declining town status is to be done after study and review by the Commission and court, and it would be tminformed to pass it at this time. Mr. Smith said he feels that the data being used is stale. If Council wants to send a good Wilt message to the County he feels it can be done otherwise. Adopting the proposed resolution may tie the hands of this and future Councils for five years even though he does not think he five year moratorium would legally become effective. Adopting the resolution would set the City up for more litigation in the furore should another petition be filed. Mr. Smith said the reversion committee is ready to end the process ifa signal is sero to them, and an order is being circulated to interested parties to that effect..Mr. Smith asked that the offensive language in the resolution, declining town status, be removed. Mr. Smith said committee members encourage Counc4_l to negotiate with the Coumy. Mr. Smith said the process the Council has used to bring the matter to fhis point is offensive and a debate should have been done in an honest and open way rather than in closed meetings Ms. Katherine Peaslee, 307-A 2~a Street, N.W., secretary/treasurer of the town reversion committee, asked why it has taken the City so long to act on reversion and, having delayed this long, why has the Council deemed to terminate the process now and for the next five yearn Ms. Peaslee said citizens deserve a detailed expenditure ofeosts connected with reversion. Ms. Peastee said the reversion committee has spem a minimum of $20,000 on the process to date. Ms. Peaslee said the committee intended to bring the City and County together by using the reversion process and the City should let the committee withdraw the petition without penalty. Adopting the resolution may squelch citizen efforts in the future.