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289 Mr. Toscano said that if cuts are proposed it needs to be done quickly, and Council needs to determine its spending priority and to develop a proposal for spending if fees are increased. PUBLIC HEARING: JEFFERSON SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROCESS Mr. O'Connell said that a community group, Citizens for Jefferson School, has been meeting to develop a proposal for a community process to determine what is the right approach for the future of Jefferson School and a number of its members will be making the presentation to Council. Ms. Cynthia Mindy, 804 5th Street Extended, asked that the Council create a citizen task force which will report to and advise the Council. The task force should consist of 10 to 15 members, be a majority Afro-American, and preferably live in the City. Representation should be included from Preservation Piedmont, Preservation Jefferson, Jefferson School Alumni Association, Citizens for Jefferson School, early childhood education specialist and/or parent, Starr Hill Neighborhood representative, Carter G. Woodson Institute and/or U.Va. Office of African-American Affairs, the development community, and the financial community. Ms. Jackie Taylor, 104 Northwood Circle, said that the task force will provide minutes from alt meetings, report to Council and the public on a quarterly schedule, conduct all meetings as public meetings, and allow for public comment at each meeting. A facilitator is proposed to be hired by the City Council with participation from the Citizen for Jefferson School Steering Committee. Mr, David Saunier, 259 Stribling Avenue, said the task force will explore ali uses for Jefferson School, and evaluate the cost of implementation and operation. The timeframe for completion is 12 months, but could take 18 months if a facilitator is not hired. Ms. Amy Hill, 811 Monticello Avenue, reviewed the proposed charge of the task force, and said that the task force will produce a report that will set forth the recommended use of the building and site, with the pros and cons of the proposed use included. The report will also contain an appendix outtipdng non-recommended proposals considered, the pros and cons, the costs and why the proposal is not recommended. Ms. Ida Lewis, 605 13t~ Street, N.W., said the Citizens for Jefferson School requests: the COuncil meet with the School Board and discuss the possibility of having the Pre-School, ESL, Adult Education and other programs remain in Jefferson until the task force study is completed; City and School Board personnel meet with a citizens committee to review plans to bring the building up to code; City council keep ownership of the building until the end of the study and recommendations are approved; and support historic designation of the building and site. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Peggy Van Yahres, 1700 Chesapeake Street, Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, said the Board is interested in seeing Jefferson School preserved in a meaningful way and would like to take part in the discussion because of Carver Recreation Center which is located on the site. Speaking on behalf ofherself, she said she hopes that the task force will be sensitive to the tight budget of the School Board and the increasing needs ofthe Schools. She said she hopes the task force will look for partners that will bring revenue to the City. She also recommended that a member of the School Capital Projects Committee be on the task force. As there were no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Mr. Cox suggested that Council separate the recommendations for the task force from the request that Council meet with the School Board abont the Pre-School relocation. Mr. Cox thanked the Citizens for Jefferson for working on the charge which