09-11-80 Utilities & Public Works

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• f nmmtttrr &pert September 11, 1980 �Io the Tolman Mounril of Or ftitg r f*out!! Brtth: Utilities and Public Works Committee The September 8 , 1980 combined meeting of the Utilities Committee and the Public Works Committee was called to order by the Utility Committee Chairman, Councilman Walter Szymkowiak at 7 :00 p.m. in the Council Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included the following: Councilmen Taylor, Szymkowiak, Kopczynski, Dombrowski, Crone, McGann, Voorde; Citizen Members Orvis Hart, Alex Deranek, and Gregory Tkachyk; City Engineer Pat McMahon; Mike Smith from Coopers and Lybrand; John Leszezynski; Mr. Knoll; Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney and members of the news media; Councilman Beck arrived later. Councilman Szymkowiak stated that this meeting was to continue discussion on the proposed rate increase for water and wastewater services which began at the August 20th meeting. He then turned the meeting over to Pat McMahon. Mr. McMahon then reviewed two handouts recently sent to the Council. The first handout dated September 2, 1980 reviewed how the $3. 00 minimum charge would affect shelters , convents , trailer courts, governmental housing, hotels, motels and apartments. Discussion followed with the Committee unanimously recommending that all of these categories be included. Mr. McMahon stated he would prepare the necessary amendments. Discussion then took place on the September 4th handout which showed that approximately $7 ,369. 29 would be needed per month to go to a one-month billing cycle; or an additional rate increase of 5. 2%. Councilman McGann suggested that other billing procedures be investigated such as the double coupon procedure of Cablevision, the budget procedure of NIPSCO, and Indiana and Michigan's. Pat McMahon stated that he would check with other cities around the state. John Leszezynski stated that meter readers were favored over estimated billings since many water leaks have been determined. Additionally he mentioned that many policy changes would have to be made such as the 30-day grace period if the City would go to a one month billing cycle, The Committees agreed that they must weigh the citizens views on monthly billings vs. the costs of implementing such a system. Councilman Crone expressed her concern that the 5. 2% projection appeared high, and that she hoped that the rates could be reduced by a few percentage points. The Committee agreed that a review every four (4) years of the rates should be incorporated into each bill. The amendments were to be prepared by the Council Attorney. Fr. mess PUBLISHING CO.