2004-01-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Ms. Richards said a significant number of citizens are not hooked up to the internet and asked how they will benefit from the new technology. Ms. Peacock said citizens can either go to a location where internet is available or can phone or walk into City Hall and the same information will be available from staff who will have access to the system. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms. Richards, the Appropriation Authorizing the $5,000,000 Loan from the Utility Fund for the I ntegrated Systems Project, was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. Mr. Cox said he feels the financing is creative for the project and he supports it. PUBLIC There were no matters by the public. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. O'Conn ell explained that Senator Creigh Deeds is considering introducing legislation to create a River Basin Commission for the Rivanna River which will watch after the river. Mr. O'Connell said there are major unanswered questions about the proposal. He said it is not clear what impact this may have on the South Fork Reservoir dam project. He said Senator Deeds wants a reaction from affected jurisdictions about whether to propose the legislation. Mr. Ridge Schuyler said that the legislation will enable the creation of a Commission and will be subject to formal resolution by five of the seven localities. He said a Commission will provide the structure so an endowment can be generated to staff the Commission. He said he sees this as supplementing the City's hiring of its environmental specialist. He said one of the benefits of the Commission would be to help the City find funding for its storm water control efforts. He said it will also be a place to help resolve differences in advance. Responding to que stion from Ms. Richards, Mr. Schuyler said that the Commission will have no regulatory function and if they are unsuccessful in finding funding he will not return to Council. Ms. Richards said she believes protecting the river basin can only be done regi onally and she supports the Commission. Mr. Lynch said he is very supportive. He said he thinks it will be an asset to the City and could reduce the cost of mandates to the City. Mr. Schilling asked if this has been discussed with the Rivanna Water an d Sewer Authority and if they have any concern about the impact of it on the future water supply. Mr. O'Connell said Ms. Judy Mueller, Director of Public Works, would agree that there is a concern about this, but the Rivanna Board has not had an opportun ity to discuss it. He said he understands from a conversation with the County Executive that the Albemarle County Services Authority Director does not have concerns. He said he does not understand what process the Authority would have to go through if th e Commission is established. Mr. Schilling said he has great concerns over this. Given the City Manager's concerns he said he is uncomfortable going forward not knowing the impact. He said a multi - jurisdictional approach may be a good way to approach t he issue, but noted that does not always favor the City. Mr. Lynch said he would be concerned if it were to be a regulatory body but said it will not be that. He said it will enable the region to draw down other resources. He said the worse case scenar ios would be political input from the Commission.