11-25-02 Utitilities Committee - Laserfiche WebLink

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tOtttittitttt *port ftCttt COMM ittle The November 25, 2002, Utilities Committee meeting was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Al `Buddy"Kirsits at 4:20 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski,Pfeifer,Kelly,King, Varner, White, Kirsits, Kuspa and Coleman; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Terry Miller of the Chamber of Commerce, Department of Community and Economic Development Director Jon Hunt, Pat McMahon of Project Future, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Chief Assistant City Attorney Aladean DeRose, Director of the Division of.Environmental. Services Jack Dillon, Mr. Paul A. Kempf, Mr. Matthew S. Cullinan, Mr. John Mountsier, Mr. William Hoye, Mr. Steven K. Brock, Mr. Ted Foti, Mr. Richard Nussbaum, Mr. Morris Rosen, Terry Bland of the Oath Oentr t ihmt, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney,and other members of the public. Council Member Kirsits stated that the Committee meeting was called to receive an update on Bill No. 88-02 which addresses proposed new sewer rates inside and outside the city limits. Mayor Luecke stated that the City Administration is continuing to have dialogue with its customers and are considering a more gradual level of rate increases which address the overall principles set forth in the cost of service study. The Mayor noted that earlier this summer they filed a proposed ordinance which was withdrawn at the request of the Council. The Administration then filed Bill No. 88-02 and are continuing to listen to businesses which are contending that they would experience "too big a hit" as the ordinance is currently drafted. The City Administration is now developing a 3rd version of the bill which the Administration would like continued until the 1st meeting in January. The continuance would provide ample time to share thoughts on the proposal and to review it thoroughly. Mayor Luecke stated that the Administration is respectful of its customers and would like to implement a new rate structure without undue stress. The Administration is looking at a two-year proposal with bonding covering more capital then originally recommended to the Council. He stated that with the City Administration as the Petitioner that they are requesting a continuance, however if persons would want to comment tonight at the public hearing that they would not oppose that process. The Council Attorney noted that the first regular meeting of the Common Council would be January 13, 2002. Council Member King noted that typically when a petitioner requests a continuance that the Council would not open the presentation and public hearing portion on the bill. He stated that it would be awkward, especially since there is not a new substitute version of Bill No. 88-02 before the Council at the present time and only the original version filed with the City Clerk's Office. Chief Assistant City Attorney Aladean DeRose stated that the Administration had hoped that the Council would open the public hearing so that renotification would not have to take place to save costs. She stated that the governing state law permits the Council to continue the public hearing from time to time. Mr. Morris Rosen, an attorney representing Castle Pointe Apartments cited Indiana Code § 36-9- 23-26.1 which governs the process. He stated that if the Council would open the public hearing tonight that they would have to come back again in January. Council Member Coleman suggested that a member of the Administration could address the Utilities Committee