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Mr. Schilling asked if there were other things we could have done along the way <br />to avoid this. <br /> <br />Mr. O'Connell said that the bridge is old and weather has further deteriorated it. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said that bridges in her hometown of Charleston are in similar <br />conditions and noted that the lifespan of bridges is generally 40 years. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Tolbert said the state pays for <br />98% of bridge repairs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked for a history of the State and Federal contribution to bridge <br />repairs for 20 years. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton asked if the bridge will have to be closed during repairs, and Mr. <br />Tolbert said we will not know that until it is designed. He said we can decide to have it <br />be kept open, but it will cost more. <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Ms. Hamilton, the appropriation of <br />$1,460,000 for Belmont Bridge repairs was offered and carried over to the next meeting <br />for consideration. <br /> <br />REPORT: UTILITY RATE REPORT <br /> <br /> Mr. Aubrey Watts, CFO, gave a summary of the proposed utility rates. He said <br />seasonal rates are proposed to be maintained for water and an overall 8% increase is <br />proposed. A .25% increase is proposed for gas as well as fee changes. Wastewater is <br />proposed to increase 5.6%. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said there is a discrepancy in the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority <br />rate and our increase. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts said we are buying a smaller volume of water and some operational <br />costs for the City increased. He said the amount for the toilet rebate program was <br />decreased and funds were set aside for vehicle purchase. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling, referring to seasonal rates, said he has never talked to anyone who <br />uses less in the summer and he thinks City residents are subsidizing students and he <br />would like to have seasonable rates reconsidered. He said water rates for U. Va. are only <br />increasing 4.8% and he would like to talk about that more. He said we are expanding <br />water conservation efforts even though we are cutting the rebate. He asked what the <br />target is for water conservation. He said the proposal is to provide one meter re-reading <br />at no cost, and he said this should be evaluated and said we may want to give three free <br />re-readings because of defective meters. He asked why there is no change shown in the <br />interest income if the rate is reduced. He noted that Charlottesville has moved up on the <br />list as compared to other localities for the cost of water. He said that the gas fund is <br />shown to be self-supporting, but he noted that $1.15 million is being taken out and put <br />into technology which shows we have a profit. He said he thinks that is an important <br />clarification. He asked why the payment in lieu of taxes is increasing so much. He asked <br />why $50,000 is proposed for the programmable thermostat program when only $3,900 <br />was used in 2005. He said he thinks there should be some discussion about the City <br />promoting using less gas and at the same time promoting that more people use gas. He <br />said he would like more information about the City Yard evaluation. He asked for more <br />information about the storm water utility funded out of the gas fund. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he would like more information on water main replacement and <br />back flow prevention program. Mr. Caravati said it appears that there is a presumption of <br />guilt on the part of customers in the proposal to charge for meter re-readings. He <br /> <br /> <br />