11-14-12 Utilities Committee - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

r ; Utilities Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The November 14, 2005 of the Utilities Committee was called to order by its Vice-Chairperson, Council Member Timothy Rouse at 4:44 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, White,Kelly, and Rouse; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Mikki Dobski-Schidler, City Attorney Charles Leone, Chief Assistant City Attorney Ann-Carol Nash, Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Director of Public Works Gary Gilot, Rita Kopala, Jack Dillon, Mrs. Kopola, City Controller M. Catherine Fanello, John Skomp, representatives of I/N Tek I/N Kote, Rick Campoli, City Clerk John Voorde,John Stancati and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Rouse noted that Committee Members include Council Members Puzzello, Kuspa, Kirsits and himself. In light of Council Member Kirsits being unable to attend due to illness,he would chair the meeting. Council Member Rouse then called for a presentation on Bill No. 05-134 which would authorize a temporary transfer of idle funds from the Water Works General Fund (Fund # 620) to the Water Works Leak Insurance Fund(#644). John F. Stancati, Director of the Water Works Division made the presentation. This appropriation of $130,000 from the General Fund to the Water Works Leak Insurance Fund would assist the operations to carry out this program. He noted that last year $260,000 was requested with one-half(1/2) of that amount being repaid. He noted that the rate increase has helped. Following discussion, Council Member Kuspa made a motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello that Bill No. 05-134 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Rouse then called for a presentation on Bill No. 72-05 which would amend various sections of Chapter 17, Article 2, Division 4 of the South Bend Municipal Code in order to adjust regular sewage rates and heavy demand surcharge rates and to clarify other Code provisions. Mayor Luecke noted that he Chaired the Advisory Committee which held eight (8) meetings. Their recommendations included: addressing significant backups in basements first; establishing a multi-year plan; establish across the board rate increases; and implement no outside the city surcharge. A 2-phase approach has been suggested. The looked at buffering the rate increase from 34% to 29% and would provide a notebook of information along with a CD at this evening's Common Council meeting. John J. Dillon, Director of the Division of Environmental Services provided a CD to the Committee entitled "City of South Bend Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan, Advisory Committee Handbook July 2005", however noted that it may not be compatible with the Council's computers. He also provided a multi-page handout entitled "Sewer Improvement Program-Phase I Planning & Community Outreach, November 14, 2005", a paper copy of the November 14,2005 Utilities Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -Page 1 of 3-