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Committee Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 1996 Page 5 WASTEWATER 1996 Budgeted $5,349,259 1997 Projected $5,855,718 Mr.Dillon then introduced Mr. Robert Toppel,Process Specialist and Amy Schmanski the Auditor for the Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Committee. He noted that they are bringing seven organic resource personnel into the budget. The digesters were last cleaned in 1988 and are budgeted next year at $301,000 for the cleaning. Mr. Dillon noted that they should be cleaned every five years. Mr.Dillon noted that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management recommended the South Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant for an award from the Environmental Protection Agency. He noted that the City of South Bend received a second place nationally. The Committee congratulated Mr. Dillon and his staff for this national recognition. He noted that they had reorganized the department to four 10-hour days following much discussion which has been implemented very positively. Mr. Leroy Kingsbury was then introduced to the Committee. It was noted that the Performance Indicator Poll will reflect permit complaint standards. Mr.Dillon also noted that he hopes to sell Class A sludge in 1997 which would be the first time for the City of South Bend. Mr. Sam Hensley, the Director of the Street Department then joined the Committee. He • noted that the city needs more machines in order to properly service the 400 miles of sewers throughout the city. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke it was noted that the city currently handles 37,000,000 gallons per day of sewage and under the state rating could handle 60,000,000 to 70,000,000 gallons per day. They are currently working on a 20 year facility plan with a capacity of 62,000,000 gallons per day. Council Member Pfeifer raised concern with regard to problems in her district. Mr. Hensley noted that it could be a water table level problem if water indeed was coming through the walls. She suggested a neighborhood meeting with maps and brochures and personnel being available for questions. Mr. Hensley and Mr. Dillon noted that the Solid Waste revenue projection for 1997 is $3,085,725 up from 1996 of$2,980,813. It was also noted that the landfill budget item has been reduced by $150,000. The Committee was advised that since January of 1994 trash has been taken to Berrien County, Michigan where approximately 95% of the trash goes to Michigan. This has resulted in approximately$600,000 of savings on tipping fees alone.