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56 <br /> <br /> Ms. Pam Gwin of 1712 Essex Road, supported air <br />conditioning in the elementary schools. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers, the public hearing <br />was cloSed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that staff had been working on <br />including air conditioning the elementary schools in the <br />five-year budget and he felt it would be feasible to do so <br />in the next six to seven years. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that approval of the Five-Year <br />Capital Improvement Program would be placed on the <br />November 3rd agenda. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question by Mr. Towe, Mr. Hendrix <br />stated that the schools were interested in consolidating <br />their administration personnel into one building and <br />discussions had been held concerning providing space for <br />the schools, social services, and the courts in one <br />building. <br /> <br /> Mr. Barnes requested that Mr. Hendrix discuss the <br />financial condition and bond rating of the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that the City was in excellent <br />financial condition with a AAA bond rating, the highest <br />rating available, and one held by only 20 cities in the <br />country. Mr. Hendrix stated that the City had not <br />borrowed excessively and that the local economy was <br />relatively stable. Mr. Hendrix stated that the projects <br />proposed in the Capital Improvement Program would be paid <br />for over a 20-year period and the proposed financing would <br />have no impact on the City's cash flow. <br /> <br /> On a question from Mr. Towe concerning whether the <br />new tax laws would effect the financing, Mr. Hendrix <br />stated that the changes would have some effect, but the <br />staff was aware of the effects and had taken them into <br />consideration. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: PHOSPHATE BAN <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix noted that Council had received a report <br />from Bill Norris, Watershed Management Official for both <br />the City and Albemarle County, which noted that imposing a <br />phosphate ban would have some positive effects on the <br />Chesapeake Bay and sewage treatment. Mr. Hendrix noted <br />that Albemarle County had supported recommending a <br />phosphate ban to the General Assembly and that a phosphate <br />ban was supported by the Virginia Municipal League as <br />well. <br /> <br /> As there was no one to speak~ the public hearing was <br />closed. <br /> <br /> Mrs. Gleason stated that she felt the evidence <br />supported banning phosphates, noting that most detergent <br />manufacturers are making non-phosphate detergents and that <br />it would reduce the cost of sewage treatment. Mrs. <br />Gleason moved the resolution supporting State legislation <br />banning phosphate detergents in Virginia. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe seconded the motion and the resolution was <br />unanimously approved by Council. <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency's <br />Chesapeake Bay Program found nutrient enrichment to be a <br />major threat to the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its <br />tributaries; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, research indicates a significant source of <br />the nutrient phosphorus entering the Chesapeake Bay and <br /> <br /> <br />