Minutes 09/09/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 9. 2008 Background: . In 2002, faced with the then worst drought of record, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Suffolk, the Western Tidewater Water Authority, and the Virginia Departments of Health and Transportation cooperated to construct a water conveyance system linking Norfolk's Lake Prince Reservoir to Portsmouth's Lake Cohoon and Lake Meade Reservoirs. This conveyance system was constructed to allow the transfer of up to 10 million gallons per day of Norfolk's surplus raw water into Portsmouth's reservoir system in case of a drought. Discussion: . Currently faced with another potential drought condition, Portsmouth plans to activate the water conveyance system as conditions dictate and purchase surplus emergency raw water from Norfolk if required. The "trigger" to begin this purchase would be when two of the three drought indicators (precipitation, ground water levels or reservoir levels) are below normal. . This appropriation will provide the funding required for purchasing raw water from Norfolk. Financial Impact: . This appropriation will supplement prior years' appropriations and will fund Portsmouth's purchase of emergency raw water from Norfolk for up to 28 weeks at the rate of 10 million gallons per day at $1.11 per 1,000 gallons, both in accordance with the 2002 Contract as amended. Staff Recommends: Adoption of ordinance. Vision Principles: Thriving Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community and A Robust and Prospering Economy. Next Steps following City Council Action: . As water supply conditions dictate, Portsmouth's Director of Public UtilitieslWorks will advise Norfolk of Portsmouth's desire to purchase surplus, raw water on an emergency basis under the terms and conditions of the October 4, 2002 Contract. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Whitehurst, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $1,382,100 IN THE FY 2008-2009 PUBLIC UTILlITIES ENTERPRISE FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY DROUGHT RAW WATER FROM THE CITY OF NORFOLK." Ayes: Heretick, Moody, Psi mas, Smith, Whitehurst, Holley Nays: None 08 - 379 - Adoption of a resolution affirming authorization for the City of Portsmouth to pick up the employee's contributions to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Vision Principle: Pride of Past, Promise of Future. Background: . This resolution is required pursuant to S 414(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and Notice 2006-43 of the Internal Revenue Service. Discussion: . Through adoption of this resolution, the City of Portsmouth is reaffirming that the City shall make contributions designated as and in lieu of member contributions of its employees to VRS, that such contributions shall be treated as employer contributions in determining tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, and that pick up member contributions shall be paid in the manner indicated in the attached resolution.