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<br />3. REPORT: Botanical Garden of the Piedmont <br />Jill Trischman-Marks, Executive Director, introduced Conzi Palmer, President of the Board of <br />Directors for the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont (BGP). Ms. Trischman-Marks presented an <br />update on Botanical Garden efforts. The mission of BGP is to invite all community members and visitors to engage in nature, to educate and inspire through the beauty and importance of plants, to advance sustainability, and to promote human and environmental well-being. For the first time Annual Operating Fund donations exceeded budget expectations. The silent phase of the first <br />Capital Campaign raised almost 50% of the $10 million goal in less than 24 months. <br /> BGP provides a variety of free programs to the public, all possible with funding provided by private grants. Ms. Trischman-Marks reviewed several projects in process to grow BGP and improve services, and she requested help with acquiring a Charlottesville Area Transit bus stop. <br /> <br />CLOSED MEETING <br />On motion by Pinkston, seconded by Puryear, City Council voted 5-0 (Ayes: Payne, Pinkston, Puryear, Snook, Wade; Noes: none) to meet in closed session as authorized by the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711(A) (3), for: <br /> (1) discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or <br />the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would <br />adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiation strategy of the Council, specifically discussion of prospective real estate transactions for the Sugar Hollow Reservoir and the proposed 0 East High Street development, and Section 2.2-3711(A)(8) consultation with the City Attorney regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice, specifically, <br />legal matters regarding the proposed Sugar Hollow Reservoir real estate transactions and the <br />proposed 0 East High Street development. On motion by Pinkston, seconded by Payne, City Council certified by the following recorded vote that to the best of each Council member’s knowledge only public business matters <br />lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information <br />Act and identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered in the closed meeting: 5-0 (Ayes: Payne, Pinkston, Puryear, Snook, Wade; Noes: none). <br />BUSINESS SESSION <br />Council began the business portion of the meeting by observing a moment of silence. ANNOUNCEMENTS <br />Vice Mayor Wade announced an August 26 men’s Cancers panel discussion at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church. <br /> <br />Mayor Snook acknowledged the finals of the Tonsler Basketball League; several successful back-to-school events; the Soul of Cville event; and that UVA was back in session. <br /> <br />Page 33 of 171