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29 <br /> <br />PUBLIC <br /> <br />There were no matters by the public. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED UTILITY RATES <br /> <br /> Ms. Rita Scott, Director of Finance, stated that utility <br />rates were expected to change as follows for the average <br />residential customers: water -increase of approximately 3%; <br />sewer ~ decrease of less th~n 1%; and gas - a decrease of <br />approximately 4%. <br /> <br /> As there was no one to speak, the public hearing was <br />closed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Scott explained that gas rates had decreased in part <br />because of the City's participation in a class action suit <br />against Columbia Gas Company regarding their rate structure <br />and rates. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: ADOPTING UTILITY RATES <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Towe, seconded by Mr. Vandever, the <br />ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REORDAINING <br />SECTIONS 24-2 AND 29-2 OF CHAPTERS 24 AND 29 OF THE CODE OF <br />THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, 1976, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO <br />CHARGES FOR WATER AND SEWER SERVICE" was offered and carried <br />over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br />PRESENTATION: DOWNTOWN TASK FORCE REPORT <br /> <br /> Mr. William Atwood, representing the Downtown Task Force <br />stated that a series of meeting had been held to address <br />concerns of downtown residents, merchants, professionals, and <br />property owners and to generate new energies for the downtown <br />mallo Mr. Atwood stated that the Task Force made the <br />following recommendations: 1) reorganize Downtown <br />Charlottesville, Inc. (DCI); 2) increase promotion of <br />downtown through DCI;. 3) organize downtown property owners; <br />and 4) create a Downtown Development Commission (either <br />formed privately or to be appointed by City Council). Mr. <br />Atwood requested that Council schedule a work session with <br />members of the Task Force and attend a charette that has been <br />scheduled for June 11 and 12. Mr. Atwood added that the Task <br />Force members did not believe that a facilitator was needed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever and Mr. Towe stated their support for a <br />work session with the Task Force and their intention to vote <br />against the hiring of a facilitator at this time. <br /> <br />APPROPRIATION: $10,000 - DOWNTOWN MALL STUDY (2nd reading) <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Vandever, seconded by Mr. Towe, the <br />$10,000 appropriation for a downtown mall study was <br />unanimously withdrawn by Council. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever credited Mr. Hendrix and his commitment to <br />the success of the downtown mall for creating the renewed <br />interest in revitalization of the mall. <br /> <br />RESOLUTION: ENDORSING RIVANNA TERRACE <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix explained that the site plan for Rivanna <br />Terrace was originally submitted to the Planning Commission <br />in 1983 and was resubmitted in 1987. The plan was approved <br />in June of 1988 pending a bond. Mr. Hendrix stated that <br />State law requires localities to be contacted prior to VHDA <br />financing of such projects. The VHDA loan provides for 30 <br />year financing rather than the five years usually required by <br />other lending institutions. Mr. Hendrix emphasized that the <br />project is allowed on the property by right and that Council <br />is only given an opportunity to comment on the proposal <br /> <br /> <br />