2008-06-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 Mr. Huja noted that the increase in the connection fees is significant. He said developers have basically been given a free ride. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Betty Mooney, 201 Sunset Avenue, said she is disappointed and does not know how Council can raise our water rates with a local water plan that the State does not recognize. She said RWSA got a grant to do planning, but she does not know what happened to it. She said she cares about how much a local plan will cost. Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, said utilities are a necessity. She said that in a perfect world she would love to see abundant water in the Moorman’s, but that will not pay her utility bill. Ms. Kendra Hamilton, 620 Booker Street, said she is pleased with the changes made to the water supply resolution. She asked what the last four years of utility increases were for. She said she is currently on a reduced income and planted a vegetable garden, but the extra cost to water the garden cancelled the savings. She asked what the impact of water increases will be on low income residents years from now, and asked how needs are balanced. Ms. Dede Smith, 2652 Jefferson Park Circle, said that RWSA charges 30% more than what it takes to deliver water. She said their profit is upwards of $30 million in the last five to six years. She said Council needs to keep in mind that the money exists and would be a good source to look at dredging. She said rate payers will have a hard time paying for the plan. She thanked Council for amending the resolution. Mr. Mark Kavit, 400 Altamont Street, said dredging would allow phasing in of the long term plan and will allow more people to help pay for it. He said he is concerned about the country’s economy. Mr. Kevin Lynch, 609 Locust Avenue, said use is going down but costs are fixed. He said rates will go up 5% a year for 30 years. He said we can build a dam 13’ or 19’ higher and feed from the Moorman’s. He said RWSA has not begun to determine the cost for the pipeline. Mr. Jeff Werner, 212 Wine Street, representing Piedmont Environmental Council, said he celebrated keeping the water supply local. He said he cannot express how frustrating this process has been, with professionals being targeted. He said he supports the water supply plan and thinks we are benefiting now from planning of our past leaders. He said the discussion needs to happen honestly and openly. Dr. Joe Mooney, 201 Sunset Avenue, said he fears we will have to stay on RWSA to do the dredging study. He said the amendments to the resolution are commendable. He said restoration dredging is also an issue and is the fastest way of expanding the water supply. He said we should repair the spillway rather than build the dam. He said if we put off the dam and pipeline we will save $19.5 million. He said we need to get second opinions on the cost of the pipeline. Ms. Leslie Middleton, 1608 Oxford Road, thanked Council for moving forward with the resolution. Regarding the amendment about dredging estimates and study, she said we must know why we want to dredge before you ask for the cost. She urged Council to include public impact on the usage of the Reservoir. She said we should look at how we can have a community wide effort to conserve. Ms. Naomi Roberts, 1140 St. Clair Avenue, expressed concern about rates going up. She said it is a shame the City has let the Reservoir get into the shape it is in. Mr. James Sprouse, 405 Elliott Avenue, presented a petition in support of the increased fine for speeding on Elliott Avenue.