07-28-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 28, 2003 parts of the City for a long time and it should have been addressed earlier. The problem this creates is the City's responsibility because citizens pay to have water and sewage. She noted that the system does work most of the time but during heavy downpours it does not and when it does not it is devastating. She further noted that a persons home fills up with sewer gas which is a health problem. If you do not have a back up system then raw sewage comes into your basement. Then, there is so much pressure that the manholes pop off the streets and then there is raw sewage in the street. Lastly, the raw sewage goes untreated into the river. Ms. Brownell stated that there is no plan to separate the five (5) sewer systems into separate water and drain systems. She is aware of only the Corby Street project where the City did separate the two lines. She stated that all citizens have paid all these years and have just gotten promises. She further stated that she would not mind being in line for the project if there was a plan. This extra cost for the average homeowner and family is one more reason for people to move out of the City. She asked that the Council compromise and do less for Notre Dame and more for the homeowners. Ms. Joyce Boaler, address on file with the City Clerk, stated that the Council's mission statement to make certain that our City government is responsive to the needs of its residents is unrealistic in view of current statistics. She asked if I/N Tek - I/N Kote and the ethanol plant paid their fair share for laying sewers from New Carlisle or improving the treatment plant's ability to deal with discharge or if taxpayers paid through tax incremental financing. Public funds come from the pockets of citizens. She stated that the previous hike was too much and that untreated sewage from Notre Dame and the ethanol plant should be extra. Mrs. Boaler advised that the bill states that sewage rates and charges shall be based on the quantity of water used which she believes fair. However, this rate plus a charge based on the size of the water meter is unfair and residential rates should be basic regardless of meter size. Ms. Boaler also stated that the new sewer rates are a hardship to South Bend citizens aged sixty -five (65 ) plus who are on social security incomes. She cited national census statistics regarding numbers of households and incomes. She stated that these figures indicate that we are in a fiscal crisis yet taxes and rates are increased constantly. She further stated that the City is responsible and the Advisory Committee will offer advice but they will vote to raise homeowner taxes. Ms. Rita Kopala, 66559 Ivy Road, Lakeville, Indiana, informed the Council that not many people were present this evening because the South Bend Tribune only reported on July 17, 2003 that there would be a meeting. Ms. Kopala read excerpts of an article from the Tribune and urged citizens to remember the Council in the next election. Mr. John Strauss, Assistant Superintendent of Facilities, South Bend Community School Corporation, no address given, stated that last year the corporation paid one hundred eighty thousand dollars ($180,000.00) on sewage treatment. With the new rate structure for this year and next year they will spend two hundred fifteen thousand dollars ($215,000.00) which is a thirty -five thousand dollar ($35,000.00) a year increase. Next year it will be up to fifty -four thousand eight hundred ninety dollars ($54,890.00). Mr. Strauss stated that this is all unbudgeted money that will have to be taken out of their utility account to pay for these additional costs. There was no one else present wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. In rebuttal, Mayor Luecke reminded everyone that this is the first increase for the sewage utility in almost fifteen (15) years. A twenty -four per cent (24 %) increase over that period of time is less