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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBERT 28, 2013 <br /> <br />to stress that, that is going to have to have input, so we don’t have it all figured out, because <br />doing that right, means doing with the people who live and operate businesses in that area. <br />Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic: The people out there in the corridors mean what? <br />Mayor Buttigieg: In this context we mean Western and Lincoln Way are the areas needed the <br />most investment. <br />Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic: Thank You. <br />Councilmember Dr. David Varner: No questions at this time. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis: My comments first of all, I want to thank the Mayor for what he <br />just stated regarding putting aside $350,000.00 toward the wells for the homes near the New <br />Energy Plant. At this present time there are several neighbors who I see out there in the <br />audience, could you at least waive, for living near the New Energy Plant, I see you in back, see <br />you right there, there you are right there, I see you in the far back. And so the reason, I want to <br />thank you, during this time because you all have gone through something. One of my neighbors <br />back there water came through from December all the way until January and I want to thank you <br />for putting that it. I want to thank the Council people for dealing with that issue. Could you just <br />share a little bit for those you may have come in late what you are planning on doing regarding <br />that again? <br />Mayor Buttigieg: Sure and let me begin by thanking you for elevating the plight of those <br />homeowners to the attention of the community as well as the administration. And, also stress <br />and far as we are concerned that the homeowners who have been affected by the rising water <br />table in the area around New Energy have done nothing wrong. It is not their fault that they are <br />dealing with this situation in their basements. Thankfully now due to engineering intervention <br />we have been able to temporarily ensure that there is no water coming into those basements, but I <br />understand why any homeowner in that situation would expect certainty. So, having heard just <br />how urgent that concern is, we would like to suggest that the Council vote on the amendment. <br />The effect of that amendment would be to withdraw $350,000.00 from what is now allocated in <br />the Loss Recovery Fund for Smart Streets. We think we can do that without compromising <br />2014’s work of activity in streetscapes. And we would do that in order to make sure that the <br />funding is available for doing something about a permanent solution to the New Energy Area <br />problem. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis: Thank you; because that permanent solution is what the <br />neighbors have come here to hear tonight. We have suffered and I want to thank you again for <br />that. Also regarding the corridors, especially, as a Council we passed a resolution for the <br />Lincoln Way and Western Avenue Corridors and the built up on Western Avenue has been <br />overlooked for a long period of time and could you elaborate a little bit more of what you would <br />like to see done with those corridors in that for the Council. <br />Mayor Buttigieg: One of the challenges that I think we have is that we have so many corridors, <br />that past efforts have sometimes struggled because not being able to prioritize and target what <br />they are doing. So we understood the Council would be sending a message with the Resolution <br />that passed highlighting the need for action on both the Lincoln Way and Western Avenue <br />corridors. I think on Lincoln Way and I don’t want to presume and speak too far ahead, because <br />getting this right requires input. But as far as our vision is concerned I think that we need to <br />ensure that the Lincoln Way West corridor has not only the kind of benefits we hope that it will <br />be getting anyway from our Vacant & Abandoned housing efforts, but there is also something to <br />be done about the streetscapes and business facades that form the way that it feels live and work <br />in or near those corridors. With Western I think that there is a similar pattern but also <br />considerable momentum already because of some of the small businesses that have been <br />established for a long time near and past Walnut St. I think that there will be an opportunity to <br />9 <br /> <br /> <br />