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Communication re: Solar Tax Exemption - Counailman Buck Staff Report re: Lambeth League Base- ball Field Mr. Gatewood moved that the public hearing he continued until next meeting, Mrs. O'Brien seconded the motion with the understanding that a vote would be taken at that meeting, which motion was unanimously adopted. A communication was presented frOm Mr. Buck regarding solar tax exemption. He stated that after having given the matter some additional thought he would like to bring the matter before Council to amend the City Ordinance to allow a solar energy equipment tax exemption. He responded to a number of concerns or reservations about the program which were dealt with in a previous memo from the staff as follows: 1. the report indicated that the exemption would result in a~'loss of taxable property, double the cost of the solar energy equipment. He stated he believes the analysis is faulty since the report compared the installation of solar energy equipment to the addition of a room on the house, such a compariaon is misleading because adding a room to the house will increase the Value proportionally, whereas replacing a furnace with a different source of heat and energy will not increase, the value of the house, but maintain it at its same level. 2. the report indicated that only middle class property owners would be able to benefit from the exemption because solar energy equipment is too expensive for low income people to install. He agreed this is probably a correct assumption, but in as much as we are all interested in maintaining our base of middle class families it is worthwhile having incentives and inducements for them to live in Charlottesville. 3. it was indicated that there have been no request for such a change in the ordinance, however that is' not surprising, given the availability such a solar tax exemption is not well know. 4. my research indicates that a majority of the states have such a real estate tax exemption on a state wide level, but Virginia is one of the few states that leaves it up to local option. He requested that the staff be directed to take whatever steps necessary to publicize the availability of such an exemption, such as communicating with the architects in the area, communicating with the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association, and possibly sending out notices to all users of the City gas system, and the City Attorney be requeSted to draft an ordinance for consideration. The City M~nager advised the Council as a result of the heavy flooding on the night of June 2nd parts of Azalea Park were badly damaged. He stated the baseball field was extensively damaged and now needs to be repaired for next season. There are several options regarding this matter for Council's consideration: Option 1. restore the part to its original condition, cost $12,250; Option 2. reconstruct, the baseball field facilities in accordance with the City Park Master Plan, cost $25,960; Option 3. reconstruct the baseball field in Pen Park no cost estimate available at this time; or Option 4. light the new CHS baseball diamond for use by CHS teams, Lambeth League and Lane League, cost