2008-05-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Mr. Norris noted that Council will note vote tonight, but will vote on June 2. Ms. Judy Mueller, Director of Public Works, said we are talking about the water supply, but also about the environment. She reviewed the information provided at the May 6 work session. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Thomas Olivier, 4032 Green Creek Road, Schuyler, Conservation Chair of the Sierra Club, said that the Sierra Club has endorsed the plan, but thinks that dredging of the South Fork of the Rivanna River (SFRR) should be revisited. He stressed that the Club has not rejected the plan, but urged continued consideration of dredging. Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, President of the North Downtown Residents Association, requested that Council consider dredging as part of the solution. Speaking as a citizen, she asked that Council consider phasing the project for economic and environmental reasons. Mr. Rod Gentry, Union Bank & Trust, 400 E. Main Street, applauded the City’s environmental efforts, and asked Council to support the water supply plan. nd Mr. Richard Berman, 205 2 Street, N.W., said the water rates have been increased to increase the water supply, but nothing has been done. He suggested using the money that has been collected rather than raise the rates again. He said if dredging is done the fill can be used to extend the airport runways. Ms. Martha Levering, 712 Grove Avenue, representing the National Resources Committee of the League of Women Voters, expressed support for the existing plan. She said it stays within our watershed and is the least environmentally damaging solution. She said water conservation should be encouraged. On a personal note, she said she loves the Rivanna Reservoir and asked that it be kept healthy and safe. Mr. James Nix, 2401 Kerry Lane, expressed strong support of the approved plan. He said dredging detracts us from initiating the plan and does not get us up to what we need. He said maintenance dredging is an important component of the plan. He said if funds are diverted in the short-term for dredging, other things will not get done and they will cost more. Mr. Robbi Savage, Executive Director of the Rivanna Conservation Society, said we need to assure that we have enough drinking water. He said restoring flows to the Moorman’s River has been a long standing goal and this plan would achieve that. He urged that there be a long-term dredging plan for SFRR. He encouraged Council to reapprove the plan and look at a maintenance dredging program. Mr. Jason Halbert, 803 Stonehenge Avenue, urged Council to reaffirm the plan. He said we need to get at the points of siltation in the County, and before money is spent on dredging Albemarle and Green Counties need to address this issue. He said he has worked to prevent new dam construction, but supports a new dam at Ragged Mountain. He said it would be best to use untreated water for uses such as watering. Mr. Richard Collins, 104 Wilson Court, member of Citizens for a Sustainable Water Plan, said land use and a water plan must be related. He asked that a third party, neutral mediator look at the facts on both sides. He said we can practically and economically dredge as opposed to building the dam. He said a meeting is scheduled on Friday with DEQ, and he invited Councilors or the Board of Supervisors to attend. Mr. Sam Freilich, 505 Rookwood Place, said his property adjoins Ragged Mountain. He said if the plan is enacted 18.8 acres of trees will be removed. He said there will be a 9.5 mile uphill pipeline which will impact the environment. He said dredging the SFRR will eliminate or lessen the height of the dam. He asked that Council get bids for dredging.