Laserfiche WebLink
65 <br /> <br />competition for the theater and feels the money could be bett~r ~qed for other needs in the <br />comlnunity. <br /> <br /> Ms. Katherine Peaslee, 307-A 2r"~ Street, N.W., supported the living wage <br />ordinance and said it will help attract people to live in the City as one of the largest <br />obstacles to doing so now is the cost. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she is concerned about how we can break through the inertia at <br />the University regarding the retaining wall. Ms. Richards suggested that Council appeal <br />to the University to meet with their architect and the neighborhood and work out a plan <br />for the wall. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels it would be helpful if Council had a face-to-face meeting <br />with the University. Mr. Cox said he knows that the situation can be remedied and will <br />volunteer to meet with them. Mr. Cox said the University needs to give a public <br />explanation about the wall. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano suggested inviting the University's architect to explain about the <br />wall, and asked if Mr. Cox has any remedies to suggest. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said a trellis or portico could be built to create a buffer. Mr. Cox said <br />bricks and mortar, not ivy are needed to improve the wall. Mr. Cox said it would like <br />take a couple of hundred thousand dollars to remedy the situation. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty said she will contact the University administration and architect <br />and ask them to meet. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said the next step is going to have to involve new design ideas for <br />the wall. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said the School of Architecture could do a competition for design <br />solutions. <br /> <br /> Regarding the living wage ordinance, Mr. Cox said that in concept Council is <br />supportive of this initiative and he is interested in pursuing it. Mr. Cox proposed that an <br />ad hoc group be appointed with two Councilors to meet with the organizations presenting <br />the proposals. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty asked staff to do research on the proposal, and suggested that Mr. <br />Cox and Ms. Richards meet as a committee with staff. Issues that need to be researched <br />include what are the ramifications for the City, is it legal, and what are other cities doing, <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that if it is not legal, Council should explore how we can get <br />enabling legislation to make it happen. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked Mr. Rubenstein if he could meet and also invited the Labor Action <br />Group, NAACP, PHAR, and Virginia Organizing Project. <br /> <br />Mr. Toscano asked for the results of staffs preliminary research. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gouldman explained that he had calls from Mr. Toscano and Ms. Richards <br />about the issue a few months ago, and reviewed an opinion from the State Attorney <br />General. Mr. Gouldman said that all cities cited who have adopted such an ordinance are <br />outside of Virginia, and, noting that Virginia is a Dillon rule state, said that the Attorney <br />General has ruled that cities in Virginia do not have authority to require a living wage for <br />contract employees. Mr. Gouldman said he is discouraged by this, but wants to keep an <br />open mind about the issue, and said that if there is something he has missed he would like <br />to hear about it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he anticipated that would be a concern, and recommended that the <br />ad hoc group be charged with bringing back a recommendation. <br /> <br /> <br />