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3 <br />ORDINANCE <br />e. : "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REORDAINING <br />SECTION 15 - 37, CHAPTER 17 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF <br />CHA RLOTTESVILLE, 1990, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE <br />POSSESSION OF OPEN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTAINERS IN <br />nd <br />PUBLIC PLACES (2 reading) <br /> <br />ORDINANCE <br />f. : "AN ORDINANCE TO QUITCLAIM NATURAL GAS <br />LINES LOCATED IN ROADWAYS IN THE DUNLORA SUBDIVISION IN <br />ALBEMARLE COUNTY T O THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF <br />nd <br />TRANSPORTATION" (2 reading) <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE <br />: UTILITY RATES <br /> <br /> Mr. Craig Brown, City Attorney, explained that Council has received the annual <br />utility rate report and a proposed ordinance setting new rates. He said t hat there was an <br />extensive review of the rate structure last year and, as a result, the rates that are proposed <br />are seasonal rates. Mr. Brown said that the rates have been advertised and a public <br />hearing is required. <br /> <br /> Ms. Rita Scott, Director of Finance, said that the utility rates are designed to be <br />self supporting and to break even over time. Ms. Scott said that the largest costs are <br />wholesale prices. Other major costs are for operations and debt service. Ms. Scott said <br />that the composite rate for w ater will increase 3.4%. She said the summer rate (May to <br />September) will be an increase of 16% and winter rates (October to April) will be a <br />decrease of 8%. She said an additional $50,000 is proposed for the toilet rebate program <br />and the program is prop osed to be opened up to multi - unit and commercial properties. <br />The composite sewer rate will increase 5.9% and seasonal rates will also apply. Gas rates <br />will decrease by 2.7%. She said 300 gas customers have been added this year, mostly in <br />Albemarle Coun ty, and the Gas Assistance Program will continue. <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said that if a work session is going to be held he will hold his <br />questions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that one is not planned, but one can be scheduled. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch noted that the overall water budget is flat but the price is up because of <br />the drop in usage, and asked what is driving that. <br /> <br /> Ms. Scott said the drought two years ago made an impression on people and usage <br />is down because of that and because of the installation of water saving devices. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch pointed out that wholesale gas prices could change and asked if <br />anything can be done to hedge against higher prices. <br />