2005-02-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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we should assure that we get the type of consultant who understands what we want with the RFP, and we should clearly establish that the interchange and City and County portions of the Meadowcreek Parkway are one project if Council agrees. Mr. Schilling said he would prefer to have additional information before we come to a conclusion on that. Dr. Brown said he would like a summary of studies that have been done regarding traffic at the intersection, such as how long people have to sit at a light. Ms. Hamilton said she is very interested in moving forward with this project as inflation is a factor regarding road construction costs. She said she is also interested in approaching this as one single project, but is interested in seeing this RFP move forward. REPORT: WATER SUPPLY ALTERNATIVES Mr. Tom Frederick, Executive Director of Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, said that four concepts to increase the water supply have been focused on in greater detail and four community outreach meetings have been held. The four concepts are: dredging of the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir; expansion of the Reservoir with a four-foot crest; James River intake; and expansion of the Ragged Mountain Reservoir. He said the goal is to obtain necessary permits that will achieve 9.9 mgd of added safe yield capacity over 50 years; meets applicable environmental requirements; is acceptable to state and federal regulators; and is accepted by the local community. Mr. Frederick said that all four concepts have been found to be technically feasible, except that two of them do not provide enough water supply on their own. Mr. Frederick provided information on environmental impacts and costs. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Frederick said that the cost for dredging is for the entire reservoir. Mr. Caravati asked how we maintain our assets if we do not dredge due to high costs. Mr. Frederick said that is a good question. He said if dredging is not chosen as a water supply alternative, it may have to be done as a maintenance issue. Dr. Brown asked for information about the capital and start up costs of dredging versus the actual dredging. Ms. Hamilton asked to what extent there will be resilting if dredging is done. Mr. Frederick it is likely that there will be resettlement of sediment, but best management practices can limit the amount of sediment. Mr. Lynch said that dredging is clearly a maintenance activity. He said cost figures are constantly changing and suggested that we get a second opinion. He said he feels we are being steered into the James River option and he is not sure that is the best option. He said a decision was made in 2002 to expand the South fork reservoir for a cost of 2 to 8 million dollars and that rates were increased so that Rivanna could finance a 15 million dollar bond.. He said that increasing the reservoir capacity is still the least cost option and rate payers are already paying for it. He said he would like to think of a series of things that could be done in 10 or 15 year increments. Mr. Schilling asked how many years out a safe yield of 3.3 mgd would last, and Mr. Frederick said a 15 to 20 year time frame. Mr. Schilling said we are counting on a linear growth but it may not be linear. He asked if there are circumstances under which modification would cause us to have less water due to regulations.