08-09-04 Utilities Committee - Laserfiche WebLink

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Utilities Committee The August 9, 2004 meeting of the Utilities Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order at 4:10 p.m. by its Chairperson,Council Member Al"Buddy"Kirsits in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer,Kelly,Puzzello,Varner, Kuspa,White,Coleman and Kirsits; City Clerk John Voorde, Community&Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall,City Controller Rick 011ett,Phil Faccenda,Jr., Jack Dillon, City Engineer Carl Littrell,Public Works Director Gary Gilot,Mike Urbanski, Jason Durr,P.E., and Kathy Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Kirsits noted that the members of the Committee include Council Members Coleman,Pfeifer,Kuspa and himself. Council Member Kirsits then called for a presentation on Bill No. 46-04 which would authorize the acquisition,construction and installation of certain additions,extensions and improvements for the City's Sewage Works,the issuance and sale of revenue bonds to provide funds for their payment, and the collection, segregation and distribution of the revenues of the Sewage Works. Gary Gilot,Public Works Director,made the presentation. He highlighted a 10-page handout(copy attached)entitled"Sewer Revenue Bonds of 2004--Continuing Investments in Environmental Infrastructure". He noted that last year the Council approved rates which called for a 24%across the board rate increase which was recommended by the Administration for the remainder of the 2003 calendar year and for 2004. A 5%across the board increase was approved for 2005. That same ordinance created an Advisory Committee which is chaired by the Mayor. It has met 4-5 times. He then showed a GIS map which indicated by an orange color the major projects to be addressed. Phil Faccenda,Jr.,an attorney with offices at 100 North Michigan in downtown South Bend then summarized the proposed ordinance. He noted that he would be publishing notice after the passage of the ordinance. After twenty(20)days,forty(40)or more persons could petition against the sale of the bonds. Closing is scheduled for September 17, 2004. Mr. Faccenda stated that the$11.5 million revenue bond would be a 20-year issue; noting that the prior bonds were issued in 1998 and 2001. In response to a question from Council Member Kirsits,Mr. Gilot noted that construction would begin in 2004 if the revenue bonds are issued. Council Member Pfeifer inquired about the downspout disconnect program. Jason Durr runs the program with interns. He noted that it is a pilot program. They received 250 calls and have disconnected 200 downspouts. Those which are not completed by August 27, 2004 would be addressed next Summer. Utilities Committee Meeting of August 9,2094 Page 1