2002-10-7(II) - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL CHAMBER - October 7, 2002 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS : Let's Talk Month Proclamation Mr. Cox read the "Le t's Talk Month" Proclamation PUBLIC th Mr. John Wheeler, 505 8 Street, N.E., urged Council to get serious about the drought and to begin rolling cut offs to residents and businesses before we bottom out the reservoir and have no pressure in fire hydrants . Mr. Wheeler said drastic conservation measures are needed. Mr. Wheeler asked Council to direct staff to find ways to collect human waste. A City resident said he and his wife averaged 400 cubic feet of water a month and have cut back 20% since then. He said there is no incentive to conserve if the surcharge does not begin until after 600 cubic feet. He suggested raising the surcharge and issuing civil penalties to those who will not conserve. Mr. Charlie Smith, 1560 Robin Lane, owner of laundromats and apartments in the City, said that laundromats provide a basic essential need. He said he uses front loading equipment, and encouraged people to look at using water saving equipment. Mr. Smith asked that the surcharge be eliminated and that the toile t rebate be extended to multi - family units and efficient washers, and to use the rebate to install submeters. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, recommended that Council modify the VDOT resolutions on the consent agenda because reimbursement is only n ecessary for construction projects. Mr. Robert Sawry, managing partner of the Downtown Grille, said that he agrees with all measures of Project H2O, a voluntary plan proposed by City restaurants, and has implemented all measures except for the forced use of plastic and turning off of hot water in restrooms. Mr. Sawry said the restaurant uses very efficient dishwashers. He said he could save more money and would prefer to close one day a week rather than be forced to use plastic plates, which he thinks wi ll put his restaurant at an unfair advantage since such requirements are not in place in the County. Mr. Sawry said the restaurant pays employees a living wage, but if this is required, he will no longer need his three dishwashers. Mr. Sawry asked Counci l to give restaurants options to save and empower each restaurant to conserve as they see fit. Mr. Kevin Cox, 311 Fairway Avenue, said he moved back into the City because of the transit service, but he feels it does not work very well, especially when a transfer is involved. He said buses are also late. Mr. Cox said that the people riding the free trolley would otherwise use UTS or would pay fares, and if the grounds loop was eliminated the ridership would fall dramatically. Mr. George Larie, 107 Tall ey Ho Drive, asked people who support removing the Western Bypass from the TIP to raise their hands and a large number of people in the audience did so. Mr. Paul Long, 1410 Grade Avenue, expressed concern that the nearest detoxification center is in Roan oke and New Hope. He urged Council to establish one. He said the Mohr Center excludes females, and he asked Council to require that it be co - educational or to open another one. Mr. O'Connell said that information gathered from Region Ten will be shared with Mr. Long.