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<br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />ORDINANCE (CONTINUED) COMPANY, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA; AND (2)
<br />WATCON, INCORPORATED, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,
<br />FOR THE PURCHASE OF CHEMICALS FOR USE
<br />FROM APRIL 1, 1975, TO APRIL 1, 1976,
<br />IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,207.00.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponen..s were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Paul Krueper, Manager of the Bureau of Water
<br />made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated that the ordinance would provide for the
<br />addition of flouride and polyphosphates to the water. He requested that the ordinance be amended
<br />so that the polyphosphates in liquid form could be increased to 12 tons rather than 6 tons at a
<br />price of $7,464, with an amended total to read $38,939. He indicated that this change was
<br />necessary because the polyphosphates should have been bid in solid form. Because they were bid
<br />in liquid form, twice the amount was needed. Councilman Nemeth made a motion to so amend the
<br />ordinance, seconded by Councilman Horvath. Councilman Miller wondered about increasing the amount
<br />of the ordinance. He indicated that the Council only had the power to reduce appropriation
<br />requests. He wondered if the change in the ordinance would have had some impact on the bids
<br />received. He asked for an opinion from the City Attorney regarding the proposed amendment to
<br />increase the amount. Mr. James Roemer, City Attorney, indicated that, since the appropriation was
<br />approved by the Common Council in an amount of money equal to the 12 tons, he felt the amendment
<br />would be reasonable. Councilman Miller wondered about a change in the quantity and the possible
<br />invalidity of the bids received for only six tons, with the amount now being amended to 12 tons.
<br />Mr. Roemer indicated that, when no responsive bids are received, the city would be within the
<br />requirements and could negotiate. He felt there was no problem in either area. He felt the
<br />contract could be awarded for the 12 tons of the chemical. Councilman Miller wondered if the bids
<br />were awarded by the Water Works board at 12 tons, and Mr. Roemer indicated that this situation
<br />was apparently not caught until just recently. The Water Works Board had approved a six -ton
<br />amount because the quantity amount was not clearly understood. Councilman Horvath wondered if the
<br />amended amount of $38,939 would be within the chemical budget, and Mr. Krueper indicated that it
<br />would be somewhat over the budgeted amount. Councilman Horvath felt the increase could not be
<br />legally made if that was the case. Councilman Miller wondered how long the 12 tons would last,
<br />and Mr. Krueper indicated that 12 tons would last for a six -month period. Councilman Kopczynski
<br />suggested that, rather than jeopardize the ordinance, the Council should pass the ordinance as
<br />filed and another ordinance could then be prepared for the additional chemicals. Councilman
<br />Horvath agreed with Councilman Kopczynski's suggestion. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that
<br />these chemicals would be used in an effort to try and stop the rust problem the city was
<br />experiencing. Councilman Serge indicated that he favored the addition of the chemicals if they
<br />would help solve the rusty water problem in the northwest part of the city. Councilman Nemeth
<br />indicated that he would withdraw his motion to amend the ordinance, and Councilman Horvath withdrei
<br />his second to that motion.
<br />Councilman Kopczynski then made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common
<br />Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. At this point, Mr. Gene Evans,
<br />Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, asked if the public was going to be given
<br />an opportunity to speak on the issue. Chairman Newburn indicated that he would stand corrected
<br />and that he would open the public hearing on the ordinance at this time. Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 S.
<br />Swygart, wondered if the phosphates being purchased were the same as in the soap which was banned
<br />in Indiana. Mr. George A. Resnik, Chemical Engineer for Watcon, Incorporated, explained that the
<br />phosphates used in soap were not the same as what was being purchased, although they were from the
<br />same family of material. Mr. Phil Magaldi, 1122 E. South Street, wondered if the sodium poly-
<br />phosphates would entice the growth of algae. He expressed support of the program if the rust
<br />problem could be resolved. Mr. Resnik indicated that phosphates are accepted by all agricultural
<br />matter. Phosphates would only contribute to the growth of algae where they would be deficient.
<br />He indicated that these materials are approved by the State Board of Health, the U.S. Government
<br />and the Food and Drug Administration. Mr. Magaldi wondered if the city could legally use these
<br />materials in the water, and Mr. Resnik indicated that the city would have to apply to the Board of
<br />Health in order to utilize the materials in the water supply. Mr. Magaldi asked if allowing
<br />phosphates in the water would help the problem, specifically the phosphates in soap. Mr. Resnik
<br />indicated that he would have to say the phosphates would help; however, he stated that he was
<br />reluctant to say this because the point of application was so critically important. Mr. Magaldi
<br />wondered if an application had been made by the city to the Board of Health, and Mr. Krueper
<br />indicated that the application has not been made but would be if the ordinance was approved by the
<br />Council. He stated that he wanted to see what would happen on the Council floor before he sub-
<br />mitted an application. Council President Parent wondered how the application would affect the
<br />rust problem. Mr. Resnik indicated that he could spend the rest of the evening going into the
<br />problem. He stated that he would summarize. The city was concerned about the iron present in the
<br />water supply. The materials to be purchased would act to compress the iron. A corrosive - resistant
<br />film would also be formed on the pipes with the addition of the chemicals. Councilman Szymkowiak
<br />wondered if acid would remove rust in the pipes, and Mr. Resnik indicated that it would.
<br />Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that vinegar would reduce the rust in the pipes, and Mr. Resnik
<br />indicated that the use of vinegar would provide a sour taste and would also dissolve the pipes.
<br />He stated that the water supply in South Bend comes from wells and the mineral matter is dissolved
<br />Pure water, in terms of drinking water, was rare. Councilman Szymkowiak talked about natural
<br />flouride and the man -made flouride. Mr. Resnik indicated that the flouride that Councilman
<br />Szymkowiak referred to as man -made was refined but could not be defined as man -made. Councilman
<br />Szymkowiak wondered if too many chemicals were being put into the water. Mr. Resnik indicated that
<br />chemicals were being used for testing purposes in an effort to solve the rusty water problem.
<br />Councilman Kopczynski stated that the purpose of the chemical was to prevent rust in the watermain!
<br />and not the sewers.
<br />At this time, Chairman Newburn recognized the adult evening class from the Central High School who
<br />were in attendance at the meeting.
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN
<br />THE BUREAU OF WATER OF THE CITY OF SOUTH
<br />BEND, INDIANA, AND BADGER METER, INCORPORATED,
<br />(continued)
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