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employees for all of their collective years of service, and <br />do further express our deepest appreciation in behalf of the <br />city organization and in behalf of our community to these <br />employees for their good work, numerous contributions, and <br />conscientious efforts, some of which have gone well beyond <br />the ordinary call of duty. Those left behind in the City <br />work force will miss you. And, you will not be forgotten. <br />Together you have left your mark. Finally, we wish you much <br />success and happiness in the future as you turn to your new <br />endeavors. <br /> <br />PRESENTATION: TENNIS AWARD <br /> <br /> Ms. Kim Armstrong, Vice President of the Tennis Patrons <br />Association, presented the award recently given to the City <br />by Tennis Magazine. Ms. Armstrong also thanked the Parks and <br />Recreation Department for their support of tennis programs. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: SOLID WASTE FEES <br /> <br /> Ms. Mary Ingels, Assistant Director of Public Works, <br />presented the two proposals Councilors agreed to bring before <br />the public hearing on solid waste fees: 1) reduce the real <br />estate tax rate by 11 cents and charge a flat fee of <br />approximately $14 per month on the utility bill for every <br />household; and 2) reduce the real estate tax rate by 6 cents <br />and generate the additional funds needed with a volume based <br />user fee, using a sticker and/or bag system. Ms. Ingels <br />noted that the two proposals only address residential <br />curbside trash collection and a decision regarding dumpster <br />and other commercial collection remains to be made. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Vandever about the <br />participation rate for the pilot recycling program, Ms. <br />Ingels stated that the set out rates averaged 39% to 40%. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that if the entire cost of solid waste <br />was to be included in the tax rate, the rate would need to be <br />increased 9 cents, which would amount to a $81 annual <br />increase on a $90,000 house and a $135 annual increase on a <br />$150,000 house. Mr. Toscano added that if the tax rate <br />remained at its current rate of $1.11 and a flat fee was <br />charged to cover the cost of solid waste, the fee would be <br />approximately $7. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Mr. R. J. Baltimore, 1603 E. Market Street, stated that <br />he did not favor either proposal, but more strongly opposed <br />the flat fee option as regressive tax which would mean <br />poorer people would be subsidizing the wealthy. <br /> <br /> Mr. Neal Gropen, a member of the Rivanna Solid Waste <br />Advisory Committee, stated that he felt the flat fee was <br />totally inconsistent with the City's recycling plan and <br />favored the sticker proposal as a great incentive to recycle. <br /> <br /> Ms. Leah Gropen favored a volume based fee which would <br />reward citizens for reducing the amount of trash they <br />generate. <br /> <br /> Mr. Keith Woodard, Chairman of the Blue Ridge Apartment <br />Council, stated that he supported a fair and equitable system <br />for trash and recycling and read the following letter into <br />the record: <br /> <br /> "The Blue Ridge Apartment Council has discussed <br />the various trash and recycling proposals and we want <br />you and everyone in the community to know our <br />position. As an overall concept, we support a <br />solution which will be as equitable and fair to alt <br />citizens as possible. Whether someone is renting or <br />is a homeowner, everyone should be expected to pay <br /> <br /> <br />