2005-05-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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expressed concern about the reconnect charge on low income people when they do not pay their bill and suggested that there be a scholarship funds to assist families in need. Ms. Hamilton asked for more information on the fee for lighting of pilot lights. Responding to a question from Dr. Brown, Mr. Watts said that water meters usually run slow. Dr. Brown said he would like more information about to what degree meters are faulty. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati about the storm water utility, Ms. Judy Mueller, Director of Public Works, said there are charges to do things required by the State permit. Mr. Caravati asked about the interest on the loan for CityLink, and Mr. O'Connell said it is 1.49%. Mr. Lynch said the proposed rates show a larger increase in the raw water rate from RWSA than their budget anticipates and asked how this difference is reconciled. He asked why assessment and collection costs are up, and asked if this is due to increases in personnel costs and benefits. Mr. Watts said the assessment and collections costs are due to increases in personnel costs and benefits. Mr. Lynch said he thinks most defective meters have been replaced. He asked if customers are not charged the re-reading fee if the meter is shown to be faulty, and Mr. Watts said that is correct. REPORT: EXPANDED CURBSIDE RECYCLING OPTIONS Ms. Mueller explained that during the budget process staff looked at ways to save money. She said BFI is willing to add plastics and mixed paper to curbside recycling at no additional cost because they would no longer sort at curbside. She said only cardboard and brown boxes would not be collected. Ms. Mueller said that if Council wants to do this and stop funding the McIntire Recycling Center it would result in a savings of $140,000 next year. Ms. Mueller said that dumpster units for cardboard could be used at a cost of $5,000. She said there is no outlet for brown boxes. Mr. Caravati expressed concern that BFI would increase its cost in the future and that this would gut Rivanna' s recycling program. Mr. Caravati said that by State law we have to recycle 25% of our waste, and he asked how Albemarle County is going to meet that. Ms. Mueller said the reporting is done on a district wide basis. She said she will provide additional information on this. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati about the process, Mr. O'Connell said that if Council is interested in pursing this then it would be put back on Council's agenda, and more information would be provided about legal issues and the timeframe. Mr. Lynch noted that the Recycling Center loses money and he thinks it is important to look at the tonnage and what it would take to bury the material as it is still cheaper to recycle. Ms. Mueller said it is dramatically more expensive to recycle than to bury waste. Dr. Brown noted that residents and taxpayers save money by recycling. Mr. Lynch asked what it would take to get BFI to collect brown boxes, and Ms. Mueller said they are not interested.