2008-06-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 WHEREAS , this Council has considered all suggested alternatives to the proposed plan, with due consideration to the financial and environmental consequences of the proposed plan and the possible alternatives that would meet the community’s potable water needs for the next 50 years. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council for the City of Charlottesville that the local Water Supply Plan as proposed by the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority is hereby approved, with the following components: ? A new dam at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir, at a spillway height 45 feet above the existing lower dam spillway structure, at a preliminary estimated total project cost of approximately $37,000,000; ? A new 36 inch transmission pipeline from the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir to the expanded Ragged Mountain Reservoir, at a preliminary estimated total project cost of approximately $56,000,000, which pipeline will replace the 18 inch pipeline from the Sugar Hollow Reservoir, constructed in 1927; ? The complete replacement of the piping and pumping transmission system between the Ragged Mountain Reservoir and the Observatory Water Treatment Plant, at a preliminary estimated total project cost of approximately $12,000,000, which will replace the two cast iron pipelines constructed in 1908 and 1949 and the very aged Royal Pump Station; ? A major overhaul of the Observatory Water Treatment Plant to advance public health by providing state-of-the-art facilities that will increase the Plant’s rating to 8 million gallons per day, at a preliminary estimated total project cost of approximately $22,000,000; ? The expansion of the capacity of the South Fork Rivanna Water Treatment Plant to 16 million gallons per day, at a preliminary estimated total project cost of approximately $9,000,000; and, ? The expansion of the capacity of the Observatory Water Treatment Plant to 10 million gallons per day, at a preliminary estimated total project cost of approximately $6,000,000. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in addition to the specific elements of the local Water Supply Plan endorsed and approved by this Resolution, the City Council hereby requests the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority to undertake a study of the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir and the viability and merits of maintenance dredging, siltation prevention and any other appropriate initiatives that could maintain and enhance the aquatic health and water quality of the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, as a valuable water resource for the long term future benefit of the community. The Council hereby requests that Albemarle County, the Albemarle County Service Authority, the Rivanna River Basin Commission and other affected regional partners formally express their support of this study. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council hereby agrees to increase its efforts to promote water conservation and efficiency by City water consumers, and commits to engage in an active dialogue with the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, the County of Albemarle, the Albemarle County Service Authority, the University of Virginia and other key partners to develop stronger incentives and more effective measures for the conservation of water throughout the region. PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE : UTILITY RATES Mr. Bernard Wray, Director of Finance, presented the rate and fee recommendations as follows: average increase of 5% for water; average increase of 8.3% for sewer; and increases in the water and sewer connection (facility) fees; and an average increase of 5.3% for gas. He said the connection fees have traditionally been very low. He said increasing the connection fees will keep the increases down for the other rates in the future. Mr. Taliaferro asked what percentage of a reduction in water conservation triggers a price increase, and Mr. Wray said that an increase is necessary with any reduction because of fixed and increased costs to the City. He said the City breaks even with utilities, it does not make a profit.