Belle writes: City Council is meeting with business leaders today to discuss the possibility of constructing grade separated interchanges on Route 29 North. This meeting is being held behind closed doors, in advance of a August 5th public hearing, at which the City may change its current position to instead favor such construction. Peter Savodnik has the story in today’s Progress.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
8 Responses to “Update: Council and Business Leaders to Discuss Rt. 29 Interchanges”
Comments are currently closed.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
four six and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
-
Archive for Sideblog »
Can anybody out there in cvillenewsland explain why this meeting was held behind closed doors, and perhaps translate the mayor’s statement that the meeting is not meant for the public?
Big Al writes:Can anybody out there in cvillenewsland explain why this meeting was held behind closed doors, and perhaps translate the mayor’s statement that the meeting is not meant for the public?
I don’t know. But I know I don’t like it.
Here was the last cvillenews.com discussion about the trend towards (highly questionable, IMHO) secrecy of Council meetings.
And for more information on closed sessions and FOIA in VA, see here
WINA is reporting that The Mayor says the Council won’t vote Monday on a study request.
And the Progress is reporting today that the proposed mega-development at the NW corner of Hydraulic and 29N is driving the City’s push for a state-funded study.
Mayor Cox, while a good man who in the past advocated public access, has here reinforced the perception that big money talks and decides all, behind closed doors. The "public hearings" are only just that: a staged occasion when we hear what our betters have decreed.
He should give us an explanation of why that particlar meeting needed secrecy. Otherwise we can only suspect the worst.
Although the posting here says "Council and Business Leaders", the Progress story actually says "Mayor, business leaders". The mayor is under no obligation to hold all of his meetings in public; in fact, that would probably be close to impossible. Public meetings are required only when some number of councilors (3?4?) are there together.
Cat writes:Although the posting here says ‘Council and Business Leaders’, the Progress story actually says ‘Mayor, business leaders’. The mayor is under no obligation to hold all of his meetings in public; in fact, that would probably be close to impossible. Public meetings are required only when some number of councilors (3?4?) are there together.
Good point, Cat.
It is apparent, in hindsight and with the benefit of today’s reports, that I goofed when I read yesterday’s Progress article and thought the ‘meeting’ Cox called earlier this week would include others from council. From today’s reports it is obvious that only two from Council were at the meetings — Cox and Richards.
In short — nice catch and correction!
When the Mayor and Vice Mayor meet behind closed doors with developers, that’s a problem whether or not the other three city councillors show up.
Granted without an "offical city council meeting" the Sunshine Law did not apply. But the public should have been allowed in anyway, to preserve confidence in the integrity of planning decisions.
And also, your mea culpa shows the huge advantage of inter-active news. Errors in Channel 29, WINA or Daily Progress reports go uncorrected (and unrepented).
Thanks!