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UTILITIES <br />4:45 P.M. <br />March 11, 2013 <br />Committee Members Present: Valerie Schey, Henry Davis, Oliver Davis, Karen White <br />Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic, Derek <br />Dieter <br />Others: Mark Neal, Erin Horvath, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, John Voorde <br />Agenda: Update on CSO mandate with impact projection on rates <br />Valerie Schey, Chair of the Utilities Committee, asked for a status report on the EPA mandated <br />CSO project with emphasis on the financial ramifications. Would there be a rate increase <br />needed? A Bond? Did the Ethanol plant closing impact those decisions? <br />Both Director of Public Works Eric Horvath and City Controller Mark Neal provided a tag team <br />response. Eric Horvath cited substantial storm /sanitary sewer separation progress. Plans to <br />proceed were approved by the EPA and the bond funding underwritten for the project had <br />already been pre- approved by the Council. Mark Neal added that outstanding bond refinancing <br />saved substantial money and the need for an amount of rate increases was under review. <br />Karen White recalled the accounting firm of Crowe - Horwath did a rate study projection for the <br />City four years ago. Eric said that has been used as a touch stone since then and would provide <br />a copy to Council. <br />Unanticipated four years was the closure of the New Energy facility, a major rate /revenue <br />generator. Both Eric and Mark said they hoped the closure was temporary; but contingency <br />plans were being evaluated in case their revenue was permanently lost. <br />Dr. Varner cautioned a rush to a new bond issue until everything "shares- out." Mark agreed, <br />Eric said new CNG trash trucks would begin operating soon. <br />Valerie Schey adjourned the meeting at 5:06p.m. <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br />Valerie Schey, Chairperson <br />Utilities Committee <br />