The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to authorize the acquisition of the Page Road water pumping station off Westover Drive from Pittsylvania County.
The purchase will allow the City to restore the water pumping station to provide the additional water capacity needed at the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill. The pumping station also could serve other potential needs in Pittsylvania County.
The pumping station, which is located beside the City's Moorefield Bridge Road water tank near Westover Drive, has been dormant since 2010, but once restored can provide up to one million gallons of water per day.
The megasite off Berry Hill Road was designed with a daily water capacity of seven million gallons per day. Up to six million gallons per day will be provided through a separate service from the City of Eden, N.C. Restoration of the Page Road pumping station will bridge the gap.
The purchase price is $64,270.
In other matters Tuesday night, the City Council voted to:
- Authorize a 15-year solar purchase power agreement with American Municipal Power for 20 megawatts of solar energy, capacity, and renewable energy credits for a price not to exceed $50/megawatt-hour. The agreement will reduce the City's market exposure. Market energy prices over the past eight months have increased significantly because of various factors around the world. Approximately 10% of the Danville Utilities’ energy is purchased on the daily energy market. However, energy needs are growing due to recent economic development announcements in 2023/2024 that will increase that market exposure from 10% to an estimated 17%. Utilities staff recommended the 15-year solar purchase power agreement to reduce the market exposure and take advantage of a low-cost, renewable, joint venture.
- Authorize a grant application to assist in the redevelopment of the White Mill. The Danville Office of Economic Development will apply to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for a $5 million grant to assist a private developer and Industrial Development Authority in the redevelopment of the White Mill. The grant would cover the project’s gap cost.
- Authorize a permanent utility easement to allow the Mount Cross Road water metering vault to be moved to the Danville-Pittsylvania County line.
- Appropriate $990,667 in federal funds for housing and shelter programs, including assisting the House of Hope to expand their facilities to provide space for families experiencing homelessness.
- Reappoint Tyrell Payne to the Community Improvement Council.
- Reappoint Jackson Weller to the Commission on Architectural Review.
- Reappoint Sonja Ingram to the Commission on Architectural Review.
- Reappoint Robert Weir to the Commission on Architectural Review.
- Appoint Karl Almquist to the Commission on Architectural Review.
The City Council also held a first reading on an ordinance authorizing the issuance of bonds. A first reading is an introductory step required by City Code. The City Council will vote on this matter at its next meeting.