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10 On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Mr. Lynch, the Appropriation of $776,000 Transit Fund Grant for the Avon Street Facility was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. REPORT : LONG TERM WATER SUPPLY – RAGGED MOUNTAIN ALTERNATIVE Mr. Tom Frederick, Executive Director of Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, asked that Council vote on the preferred alternative of expansion of the Ragged Mountain Reservoir and give RWSA the authority to file an application. He said no final decision has been made on the specifics of the mitigation plan. He said a contract will also need to be developed regarding the use of the City property. He said a decision on the financing plan will also need to be made in the future. He said it is a very complex decision and one that the federal government has a say in. He said the community has been listened to extensively. He said it is fair to say that the County has more at stake, but he believes that everyone has a stake in the decision. He noted that 40% of the expansion will be to replace the existing reservoir storage. He said several environmental groups have endorsed the Ragged Mountain alternative. Mr. Lynch said he supports the outcome and the recommendation as the least environmentally damaging one that will provide good local drinking water. He said it is incumbent upon us to talk about mitigation, and he supports this alternative dependent on how the mitigation will be done. He said he is aware of what the regulatory groups are looking for and also what the community and City are looking for. He said he wants to do as much mitigation in urban streams as possible. He said he recognizes that the permitting agencies want to see better quality upstreams preserved, but he would like to look at urban streams even if it means going beyond what is required. He said there will be considerable loss of City property and he would like to acquire property in other places such as Moore’s Creek to replace the land lost. He said he hopes we can work on this fairly quickly. Mr. Caravati, referring to comments made by Ms. Smith during matters by the public, asked if the land at Ragged Mountain is indeed a park and where the money came from to purchase it. He also asked if any state or deferral monies have been expended on maintenance and if there are any 4f issues. Mr. Frederick said he doubts that any federal money was involved in purchase of the land. He said to his knowledge there are no 4f issues. Mr. Lynch said if the property is park land it would take a supermajority vote, but Mr. O’Connell said he does not believe it is technically park land. Mr. Brown said he does not have enough information. He said that a supermajority would be required if it is a park and if conveyance is required. Mr. Caravati seconded Mr. Lynch’s concerns about the future. He said he is strongly in favor of this alternative and it will be a viable source of water and is the right thing to do. He said he is concerned about how we negotiate values inherent in this land. He said he hopes future Councils will confront this in the negotiation. Mr. Schilling made a motion to approve the preferred alternative of expansion of the Ragged Mountain Reservoir, Mr. Lynch seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None. Absent: Ms. Hamilton. REPORT : INTERNATIONAL SISTER CITY COMMITTEE Mr. Caravati said he looks at international sister city type relations as needs not wants. He said the purpose of a proposed committee would be to give order to the process, to provide leadership, and to have people champion relationships with international cities.