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245 <br /> <br /> Ms. Joan Fenton, 3705 Country Lane, Chair of the Downtown Business <br />Association, said that the Association's number one concern is that the City provide <br />parking for residents and businesses. Ms. Fenton urged Council to commit to <br />underground parking as soon as possible, and leave land for development. <br /> <br /> Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, expressed concern that he has not seen nor <br />heard a discussion of the benefits of constructing the Meadowcreek Parkway since <br />projections do not show that traffic will be decreased. Mr. Kleeman said there is no way <br />for the traffic to flow through the intersection without constant congestion, and asked that <br />Council state the benefits before approving the letter. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hal Brindley, 619 Locust Avenue, a business owner on the downtown mai1, <br />said that two-hour parking spaces are needed for his business, and said his employees <br />have no parking alternatives and cannot afford the parking garages. Mr. Brindley said he <br />is concerned that Council is only looking at punishment rather than alternatives such as <br />satellite parking. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tim Zawacki, 102 Kent Terrace, said that he works downtown and rotates his <br />car every two hours. Mr. Zawacki said people such as himself keep downtown <br />successful, especially during the winter. Mr. Zawacki urged Council to reject reducing <br />the time limit for parking until viable alternatives are in place. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jock Yellott, 311 E. Market Street, said he endorses all parking comments <br />made tonight. As a resident of downtown, Mr. Yellott said he has no choice but to. rotate <br />his car, and he opposes increasing penalties. Mr. Yellott suggested resizing parking <br />spaces and re-evaluating no parking signs in certain locations. Mr. Yellott also <br />suggested combining zone parking with two-hour parking. <br /> <br /> Ms. Lisa Murphy, Executive Director of the Downtown Property Owners <br />Council, said that the Council conducted its own study as a result of concerns about <br />parking downtown. Ms. Murphy said the Council believes that underground parking is <br />feasible and said that close parking is essential for development. Ms. Murphy asked <br />Council to take a long-term view, and requested that the Council be a part of the decision <br />making process. <br /> <br /> Mr. Stratton Salidis, 900 Avon Street, said that it is not a good situation when <br />people think they have to drive to have a life. Mr. Salidis asked Council to spend more <br />on transit and other pedestrian facilities. Mr. Salidis said the City should not subsidize <br />parking, it is a mistake to build the Meadowcreek Parkway, and roads cause traffic. Mr. <br />Salidis asked that studies and information be made available to citizens. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati noted that Council has two issues concerning parking on the agenda <br />which will be first steps in trying to solve the parking problems. <br /> <br />REPORT: CITY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that during the budget process Council set aside <br />$250,000 for a scholarship program, with the understanding that the program would be <br />further developed. Mr. O'Connell said that a committee has been looking at how this <br />program might be done and will be setting criteria and goals. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edith Wheeler, Scholarship Committee member and a long-time school <br />employee, said that the funds would demonstrate the City's commitment to qualified <br />students. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Richards, Ms. Wheeler said that an equal <br />amount of money is intended to be raised privately, and the program, which will be <br />administered by the Charlottesville Albemarle Community Foundation, should have <br />scholarships available within a year. Ms. Wheeler said the Committee will raise the <br />funds. <br /> <br /> <br />