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37'4' <br /> <br />MINUTES <br /> <br />PUBLIC <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING.: <br />UTILITY RATES <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: <br />UTILITY RATES <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: <br />SERVICES TO <br />YOUTH <br /> <br /> On motion by Dr. Hall, seconded by Dr. Gunter, the minutes for <br /> <br />the special and regular meetings of May 21st were unanimously approved. <br /> <br /> On motion by Dr. Gunter, seconded by Mrs. Gleason, the minutes of <br /> <br />May 23rd were unanimously approved by Council. . <br /> There were no matters by the public. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tom Haden, AsSistant Director of Finance, summarized changes <br /> <br />in the utility rates. Proposed increases were: 1.2% for water, 2.9% <br />for sewer, and 1.6% for gas. A monthly service charge of $?.00 was <br />proposed for gas customers which would make possible a decrease in all <br />volume rates. A monthly service charge' of gS0,00 was proposed for <br />interruptible gas customers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Davis Toscano of 1018 Cherry Avenue, agreed with the Finance <br /> Committee to separate the cost of natural gas from the cost of service <br /> and indicated his support of a minimum for interruptible customers. <br /> <br />Mr. Toscano recommended that the minimum for non-interruptible customers <br />be reduced to $5.S0 or $6.00 to reduce the effects on low income house- <br /> <br /> holds, and requested that Council reconsider adoption of a flat rate. <br /> As there were no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> Mr. Conover stated his support of the variable rate structure and <br /> questioned whether staff thought additional University of Virginia <br /> business could be gained by decreasing their cost. Mr. Conover added <br /> that he favored shifting some of the burden Onto persons who do not <br /> heat with gas as they are not subject to a utility tax. Mr. Conover <br /> suggested that perhaps.some costs in the fixed rate could be taken <br /> <br /> out of the minimum, and requested a report on this possibility. <br /> Dr. Hall noted concern with persons on fixed incomes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Haden replied that the proposed changes would have the effect <br /> <br /> .of lowering bills for persons with high h-eating expenses. <br /> <br /> On a question from Dr. Gunter concerning the extended service in <br /> <br /> the County, Mr. Haden replied that the payback was~:'working well and had <br /> provided the potential for taking on new customers. <br /> <br /> The ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REORDAIN SECTIONS <br /> 12-S, 12-4, 12-6, 12-?, 24-'2, AND 29-2, AS AMENDED, OF THE CODE OF THE <br /> CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, 1976, RELATING TO CITY GAS, WATER AND SEWER <br /> CHARGES" was moved by Mr. Conover, seconded by Mrs. Gleason and carried <br /> over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br /> In addition to the questions raised by Mr. Conover, MrS. Gleason <br /> asked whether the cost was greater to the City to deliver large amounts <br /> of gas and Dr. Gunter requested that Council be provi-ded with informa- <br /> tion on the persons who are gas customers but~ who do not heat their <br /> homes with gas and the effect of the proposed changes on them. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gary O'Connell, Assistant City Manager, stated that Council had <br /> set aside $10,000 for services to youth with the directive to staff <br /> that they work with Outreach Counseling Services, Youth Service Center, <br /> and other youth agencies and form a recommendation for the best use of <br /> the funds. Mr. O'Connell stated that the following needs had been <br /> identified: 1) Pregnancy prevention. This would be accomplished by <br /> public education provided by the Youth Service Center, 2) Youth counseling, <br /> especially for elementary and middle school-aged children. The Youth <br /> <br /> <br />