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49 <br /> <br />She said working conditions at the Court are not very good, office space is inadequate, <br />and she feels like it is a danger zone. <br /> <br /> Ms. Norma Trice, Juvenile Court staff, said the building is not safe to be in because <br />it is so cluttered and could be dangerous trying to exit in case of a fire. <br /> <br /> Ms. Jody Shelley, Deputy Clerk of the Juvenile Court, supported the plan to move <br />forward with the renovation which she said is past due. Ms. Shelley said the space is <br />very crowded. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sherry Ormsley, Deputy Clerk of the Juvenile Court, challenged Councilors to <br />spend one day in the Juvenile Court. She said it is crowded and dangerous. <br /> <br /> Mr. Albert Tabakman, 105 3ra St., S.E., said that he has no doubt that the court <br />facility is in dire need, but if we consider ourselves a world class city we should find <br />appropriate architects to design the building. Mr. Tabakman said he supports issuing an <br />RFP to find such an architect. <br /> <br /> Ms. Lisa Murphy, 209 16th St., N.E., said the public supported preserving the jail, <br />but she thinks the current architect has shown little sensitivity to the historic jail area. <br />Ms. Murphy requested that a task force be created to develop an RFP. <br /> <br /> Mr. Colin Rolf, 218 W. Main St., applauded the work that has gone into the project, <br />but said the design proposed will block the entrance to the jail. Mr. Rolph said the area <br />should be kept open and the jail preserved. <br /> <br /> Ms. Joan Fenton, 105 3rd St., S.E., said she appreciates the desire to get the work <br />done, but feels it is worth it to preserve an historically sensitive area and supports having <br />an RFP to get the best architect to preserve the area. Ms. Fenton supported appointing a <br />new steering cotranittee to help with the design of the building. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ed Robb, Albemarle County Sheriff, said his office is in charge of safety for <br />the Juvenile Court, but it is an impossible task to make it safe. Sheriff Robb said <br />emotions and politics should be removed in making the decision. He expressed concern <br />because the suggestion from some is to basically start over with the process. He said that <br />to delay any longer may ultimately result in loss of fife. He said they will make do <br />regardless of the decision, but he does not think that is good enough. He asked that <br />Council not delay the process. <br /> <br /> Ms. Cornelia Johnson, City Sheriff~ expressed concern with the safety at the <br />Juvenile Court. She said the project has been studied for over three years and we need to <br />move forward with the project. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sheldon Anderson, downtown business owner, said he is very sympathetic with <br />the need to move quickly, but feels the project is being rushed in terms of the <br />architectural design. He supported looking at issuing an RFP because this building is <br />very important to the Court Square district. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Camblos, Commonwealth Attorney for Albemarle County, said that the <br />original court study committee began meeting in i997, and was later expanded to include <br />residents and agency representatives. He said this has not been a rushed project. He said <br />the Juvenile Court is a tragedy waiting to happen. He said the negotiating committee <br />tried to meet everyone's needs, and said he hopes Council will accept the <br />recommendation~ <br /> <br /> Mr. Bob Downer, Charlottesville General District Court Judge, resident of <br />downtown, and former member of the court study committee, thanked Council for the <br />recent renovations in General District Court. He urged Council to get going on this <br />project now because there are major safety concerns with the building and it is a disaster <br />waiting to happen. He said he thinks the current architects have been sensitive to all of <br />the needs. <br /> <br /> <br />