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11 <br /> Mr. Bob Pineo, 1513 Chesapeake Street said that the connection fee increase for <br />developers is significant, and it will make it harder to build and sell a house in a <br />depressed market. <br /> <br /> Mr. Keith Rosenfeld, Broadax Road, said that Tom Frederick has been helpful to <br />those on both sides of the issue. He said 15-17% of the system leaks. He said we need to <br />do simple things to get that under control. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Huja, Mr. Wray said that the maximum <br />connection charge for a single family home would be $6,010. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Dr. Brown, Mr. Tom Cox, utility rate consultant, <br />said that Wal-Mart would be an example of the size of business to use a 6” meter. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said this seems like a hefty increase. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wray said this is similar to what is paid in other localities. He said our rate <br />payers have been paying for things they should not have been paying for. He said he <br />thinks it should be increased more incrementally in the future. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said he agrees it needs to be raised, but the magnitude seems sudden and <br />significant. He said he would like to do it more gradually. He asked about the <br />implication for affordable housing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wray said that staff has done research and have found that other localities <br />have waiver programs. He said he can make a recommendation before the next meeting. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown agreed that the connection fees will lessen the impact on lower income <br />residents. He said we need to do a better job to assist the low income community in <br />conserving water and gas. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards agreed about the impact on low income residents. She said she <br />would like to have a work session on the high cost of living poor. She said she would <br />like to make it so it is not such a regressive tax. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wray said he will provide information on what is being done now. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Norris about leakage, Mr. Cox said that this <br />year there was 15% leakage, or unbilled water, but he said the City is in the process of <br />replacing pipes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said the water supply work session did not get to the cost allocation of <br />the water supply plan. <br /> <br /> Ms. Judith Mueller, Director of Public Works, said that staff has been working <br />with the Albemarle County Service Authority on a cost allocation plan which will divide <br />up cost based on maintenance and new capacity separately. She said the City will only <br />pay for the part of new growth that we feel we need. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he philosophically sees the merit in charging new consumers with <br />increases, but he agrees with the concerns expressed, particularly with the efforts to build <br />more affordable housing. He said it will also be a new obstacle for new home buyers. <br />He said he would like to explore options suggested and other measures we can take. Mr. <br />Norris suggested waiving some fees, having lower increases on homes, and larger <br />increases on large businesses. <br /> <br /> On motion by Dr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Taliaferro, the ordinance entitled “AN <br />ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REORDAINING CHAPTER 31 (UTILITIES) OF <br />THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, 1990, AS AMENDED, <br /> <br />