1981-06-01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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446 Public hearing re: Utility rate increase speaking for the association"s executive eommittee, spoke in favor of the street improvements as presented. Ms. Ora Lee Pace, a resident of Monticello Avenue, opposed the street improvements because they would increase the traffic on the street. There being no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Ms. Gleaaon asked about t~e infoz-mation~:~the staff got from the public meetings it held in the neighborhood. Mr. G~ne Arrington, director, of the CharlottesVilt~ Redevelopment and Housing Authority, said there had been two meetings at which residents expressed concerns about the traffic flow and parking. However, the staff had worked up several plans and there was general agreement among residents that the one being recommended was the best, if not perfect, solution. Mr. Conover inquired about future plans to improve Ridge Street and close Garrett Street. Mr. Hendrix replied~that the bridge, on Ridge Street going over the Southern Railway tracks needs improving and that might cause some construction on the part of Ridge immediately near the bridge, including the permanent closing of Garrett Street. However, this project is not an immediate one and will probably take place within the next ten years. Otherwise, no improvements should be needed on Ridge.between Main and Cherry Avenue. Mr. Conover expressed his fear that such street improvements might increase undesirable north/south traffic through the City and said he would oppose any future effort to widen Ridge Street in order to accommodate traffi'c towards Monticello Avenue. On motion by Dr. Hall, seconded by Mr. Albro, Council unanimously approved the staff's recommendations for improvements to Monticello Avenue. Council held a public hearing on utility rate increases. Mr. Robert Sheets, director of finance, presented a brief summary of the proposed rate increases. Mr. Douglas Thropp of Adams Farms requested that Council consider a special rate category for businesses like his own. He said that he pays gas rates that subsidize the small volume user and because he is an agricultural user and a priority user, ~ .... he feels some consideration should be made. He also said that his business, being located in the county, was r~quired to pay an additional 10% fee because of not being located within the City limits. He asked that Council take agriCultural businesses out of the residential rate category. Mr. Hendrix said that Mr. Thropp's business was a priority user only in the sense of the order in which users are curtailed when supplies are limited. He reminded Council of the difficulty ~hey might encounter in trying to assign use categories to the type of businesses buying gas from the City. He recommended that Council not change the ra~e structure o2 make a special exception in the case. In response to questions about interruptible