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UTILITIES JULY 27.2015 4:10 PM Committee Members Present: Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Derek Dieter (XAB) Citizen Members Present: Kathleen Petitjean (AB) Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henty Davis, Valerie Schey (4:30), Karen White, Oliver Davis Others Present: Cecil Eastman, Brian Pawlowski, Erin Blasko, Bob Emery, Murray Miller, Eric Horvath, Kara Boyles, Mike Bronstetter Agenda: Bill No. 24 -15 Decrease the Sewer Insurance Program Deductible Bill No. 25 -15 Provide Yard Waste Removal Solely from City Furnished Containers Bill No. 26 -15 Solid Waste Rate Adjustment Three bills, 24 -15, 25 -15, and 26 -15 were scheduled for review before Dr. Varner's Utilities Committee. The First bill, 24 -15, initiated by the Department of Public Works recommends reducing the customer deductible from $500 to $250 for each covered sewer line repair. In addition the City proposes to up to a maximum of $1,000 replace sprinklers, landscaping, and hard surface caused by the sewer repair. Eric Horvath, Director of Public Works, asked that this bill be continued indefinitely. With that Dr. Varner moved to bill 25 -15 which would require the use of City furnished containers for the pick -up of yard waste. Eric Horvath took the lead explaining the proposal. The fact that he had been asked to provide alternatives to the bill as seen in the first reading and had not done so prompted much Council discussion. Tim Scott asked about an effective start-up date. Eric responded April 1, 2016. Oliver Davis asked for specific cost /service correlations; but Eric had none. Valerie Schey asked if this was going to save money thus potentially lowering rates. Eric responded saying not really. Henry Davis said there has been a growing number of service complaints. Eric said there was an effort to maximize efficiencies; but the solid waste department he admitted was understaffed. Karen White suggested the need for a new fee schedule. Dr. David Varner said "the one size fits all" level of service was not fair. He too asked again for service alternations while suggesting the bill needed more discussion. To that end with everyone's approval, David Varner said that he would call a special meeting of the Utilities Committee on August 13 at 5:30. Because the next bill 26 -15 intended to raise solid waste pick -up charges, Dr. Varner thought it and the previous bill be heard together at his special meeting on the 13th