2004 Annual Report - Utilities Committee

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• . 2004 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UTILTIES COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL Pursuant to § 2-10 of the South Bend Municipal Code, the following 2004 Annual Report of the Utilities Committee is filed which highlights activities of this calendar year. Duties: The Utilities Committee is charged with "overseeing the various activities of all enterprise entities including but not limited to the Bureau of Waterworks, Bureau of Sewers and all related entities" pursuant to § 2-10 (i) (10) of the South Bend Municipal Code. Members: There are four(4) Council Members on this Committee,namely: Sean Coleman as Vice-Chairperson, Charlotte D. Pfeifer, Ervin Kuspa, and myself as Chairperson. Meetings: This year the Utilities Committee held five (5) Committee meetings. Highlighted Activities: The Utilities Committee reviewed with the City Administration on Bill No. 46-04 which addressed the authorization, construction and installation of various additions, extensions and improvements to the City's Sewage Works operations. This review included a detailed presentation entitled"Sewer Revenue Bonds of 2004—Continuing Investments in Environmental Infrastructure". This Bill was passed by the Council on August 9, 2004 as Ordinance No. 9523-04 and formally authorized an $11.5 million revenue bond over a 20-year period. It called for a 24% across the board rate increase which was recommended by the City Administration and a 5% across the board rate increase for 2005. That ordinance also authorized the Mayor to appoint an advisory committee which would make future recommendations to the Mayor and the Council. On September 27, 2004, the Council passed Bill No. 58-04 which became Ordinance No. 9534-04. This ordinance was reviewed by the Utilities Committee and amended Ordinance No. 8919-98 which addressed the 1998 bond issue for the Sewage Works. This ordinance addressed a Debt Reserve Account insurance policy for the Sewage Works Sinking Fund and the funding of the debt service reserve requirements. On October 11, 2004, the Council passed Bill No. 65-04 which became Ordinance No. 9539-04. This ordinance was reviewed by the Utilities Committee and created a new § 17.27.1 Hauled Septic Tank-Waste and Similar Liquid Waste Discharge Requirements and Rates in the South Bend Municipal Code. This ordinance raised the rate from $0.025 per gallon for hauled septic tank waste to $0.06 per gallon. On November 8, 2004. the Council passed Bill No. 78-04 which became Ordinance No. 9542-04. This ordinance created a new Article 11 to Chapter 17 of the South Bend Municipal Code which would regulate non-stormwater discharges to the