2010-01-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 On motion by Mr. Huja, seconded by Ms. Edwards, the ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF A NATURAL GAS EASEMENT OFF OLD IVY ROAD GRANTED TO THE CITY BY UVA IN 1990” was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. PUBLIC HEARING/APPROPRIATION : AMENDING FY 2010 BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE $2,351,744 IN TRANSIT GRANT FUNDS Mr. Bill Watterson, Transit Manager, said that stimulus money has been received for four midsize hybrid buses. Responding to a question from Ms. Szakos, Mr. Watterson said that the buses have a life span of ten years. Dr. Brown said Council has recently talked about snow and the buses not running during that time, and asked what the City needs to do to get them running as quickly as possible. Mr. Watterson said that two feet of snow requires a lot of coordination. He said the questions are: are streets clear and can people who drive buses get to work from where they live. He noted that two-thirds of bus service operated following the snow storm. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Paul Long said it is not true that there was two thirds of bus service operating. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. On motion by Dr. Brown, seconded by Ms. Szakos the Appropriation of $2,351,744 in Transit Grant funds was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. REPORT : SOLID WASTE UPDATE Mr. Tom Frederick, Executive Director of the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority, said that an RFP was issued so private companies can assume services offered by RSWA. He said it is a fair question about whether the McIntire Recycling Center continues. He said an internal restructuring of RSWA will be needed. Ms. Judy Mueller, Director of Public Works, said everything is on hold until the RFP comes in. She said staff is looking at all contracts and option and will be back to Council in April. Mr. Huja said he is pleased with the direction that RSWA is moving. He said he is concerned about the big expense of the Recycling Center when we have curbside recycling. Ms. Mueller noted that there is some specialized recycling at McIntire, but staff is looking at options for those. Ms. Szakos noted that there is a philosophical reason that we have paid and unpaid services in that unpaid services have a social good. Ms. Mueller noted that services can be separated and Council can decide which of them to purchase. Ms. Szakos asked if the profit level on paid things impacts unpaid services. Mr. O’Connell sited the Ivy Landfill as an example.