Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 2, 1994 TAG: 9403020200
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The projected cost of nearly $362,000 to clear and dispose of broken tree limbs, ice and debris already exceeds the total public works maintenance budget for the year, city officials say.
Putting the city-owned electrical system back in shape will run another $445,320. That's more than half the Electric Department's maintenance budget. Money to cover the budget overruns will come from electric fund and general fund reserves.
"It's a big hit," Asbury said. The storm damage, and loans from the fund to other city projects and programs, will drop the electric fund reserve to its lowest level in years - about $2 million, he said. That's about half the fund's usual level. The general fund reserve is in better shape.
"That's going to hurt," he said. "It's that much money less to do other things with."
Asbury said he's hoping for - but not counting on - a federal disaster declaration to help the city recoup some of the "extraordinary" expenses from the weather emergency. He expects no help from Richmond. The city got some federal aid after Hurricane Hugo passed through Southwest Virginia in 1989.
Council already has authorized emergency spending to repair the electrical system and to collect debris. The city also has hired outside crews to help city workers deal with the damage and debris.
City Engineer Jim Hurt told council the cleanup was progressing slowly.
"There are hazards," Asbury said Monday, pointing out that tree limbs still could be dislodged by high winds, and trees weakened by the storm could topple in the rain-soaked soil.
He said some of the city's electric circuits were temporarily re-routed and remain more vulnerable to failure until repairs are made.
Asbury also said that residents may help themselves to wood placed out on city rights of way, but advised getting permission before removing wood on private property. The New River Resource Authority is using a gas-fired "trench burner" to dispose of storm debris at the Ingles Mountain landfill.
In other business, City Council again put off final approval of an ordinance to prohibit the keeping of wild animals within the city. The proposed ordinance has drawn fire from owners of pet constrictor snakes, many of them Radford University students.
City Attorney John "Bunny" Spiers presented council with a revised proposal Monday. The latest version leaves it to council to decide the maximum length of pet constrictor snakes that will be allowed within city limits. Council faces a similar decision on "crocodilians and alligators."
Spiers said he hoped council could reach consensus soon. "I'm getting tired of writing these things," he remarked. The wild-animal ordinance has been pending since fall.
Council also:
Approved spending $24,396 for a state-mandated water system cross-connection and backflow prevention program.
OK'd the city's participation in a regional jail agreement.
by CNB