09/27/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR I� • Amy Weissman, Black Mountain Road, stated that she had requested a copy of the Friends of Westwind Barn membership roster and boarding roster from both the Friends and the Town but had been unsuccessful. She referenced the current Operating Agreement between the Town and Friends that called for the rosters to be provided quarterly to the Town. Jim Abraham, Viscaino Road, spoke to the substantial Town funds that were spent on equestrian activities including Westwind Barn and the Town riding ring. He suggested that the Council consider prioritizing their recreational goals by looking at the interests of the community as a whole and not the minority interests of equestrians. Jitze Couperus, Old Page Mill Road, commented on the contract for architectural services for Westwind Barn. He suggested that the architect had been hired without proper process. Rebecca Hickman, Parks and Recreation Committee, encouraged the Council to reference the findings of the Town-wide recreation survey when they set the priorities for funding the various projects. The Parks and Recreation Committee had endorsed the survey results and was recommending that the Council consider the following recreation opportunities for funding: improvements at the Little League fields that would include accessibility for additional sports; improvements at the Bullis campus upper terrace • including a park; funding for pathways and including new connectors; use of a pool; and, Westwind Barn. Kathy Evans, resident, commented that the Barn was an ideal location for many Town events. She believed the Council should consider, at a minimum, basic infrastructure improvements to the structure, including updating the existing restroom and possibly adding new restrooms and fixing the electrical system. Evans stated that these improvements would benefit the community at large not just those that board their horses at the barn. Toni Casey, Ravensbury Avenue, commented that the new Town Hall facility served as a community meeting place and was designed for public events. Carol Gottlieb, resident, commented that she had read recently in the Town Crier that paths that were not being properly maintained would be left off of the Town's walking map. She believed it should be a top priority of the Council to maintain current paths and to keep them open. Nancy Couperus, Old Page Mill Road, concurred that the Little League fields and pathways were important recreation assets and both needed improvement. However, she also wanted Council to consider the issue of the staff quarters at Westwind Barn. She provided a brief history of the site and the loss of the original manager's cottage when the property was subdivided. Couperus suggested that it was important to have a manager's • 2 City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 27,2007