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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/90 Board of Public Works Minutes17 REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 13, 1990 The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was convened at 9:33 a.m. on Monday, January 15, 1990, by Board President John E. Leszczynski, with Mr. Leszczynski, Mrs. Patricia E. DeClercq and Ms. Katherine Humphreys present. Also present was Assistant City Attorney Jenny Pitts Manier. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Upon a motion made by Mrs. DeClercq, seconded by Ms. Humphreys and carried, the minutes of the January 8, 1990, regular meeting of the Board were approved. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 1-1990 - RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF WATER WORKS COMMISSIONERS AND THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE TO THE WATER AND SEWER SECURITY DEPOSITS ASSESSED AGAINST CUSTOMERS OF THE SOUTH BEND WATER WORKS Mr. Joseph Agostino, Director, Water Works, was present and advised the Board that the Resolution submitted today increases security deposits for water and sewer service. He noted that the present security deposit schedule has been in effect for the last twenty-five (25) years. The new schedule is more in line with the current rates and charges and should eliminate a lot of delinquent unpaid final -outs. Mr. Agostino submitted to the Board a table showing computations of average water billings, average sewer billings, one -sixth annual customer charges and proposed deposits. Based on an average usage, the increase is less than one -sixth the estimated annual billing for each meter size and is in accordance with Order No. 37995 by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and current sewer guidelines. In response to questions from the news media, Mr. Agostino noted that the rates will not effect old customers until they move to another location or establish additional service at another location. The rates will apply to all new customers. Current customers may meet the creditworthy criteria as explained in the Resolution and would then pay a.reduced rate of one-half (1/2) of the new rate. Board Attorney Jenny Pitts Manier noted that the Resolution outlines creditworthy criteria that would apply to new customers as well as current customers who would pay a reduced deposit should they qualify. Mr. Agostino stated that ninety-six per cent (960) of the service being provided is for meter sizes 5/8" to 111. The current security deposit for that size which is $12.00 is being increased to $40.00. Should the customer be proven creditworthy, the deposit would be one-half (1/2) or twenty dollars ($20.00). Mr. Leszczynski stated that one advantage of the new deposits is in regards to the individuals who do not pay their water bills. Currently the Water Works has to absorb bad debts and the less bad debts it has to absorb the lower the rates to customers. Mrs. DeClercq inquired what happens when an individual who has received a disconnect notice pays the account that is in arrears. Mr. Agostino noted that the Resolution does allow the department in this type of situation to ask current customers to increase their deposits to the new amount. Ms. Manier noted that this Resolution does not need to go before the Common Council for further action and that the new security deposit rates will go into effect February 5, 1990. Therefore, Mrs. DeClercq made a motion that the Resolution as submitted be adopted. Ms. Humphreys seconded the motion and the following Resolution No. 1-1990 was adopted: REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 15, 1990 RESOLUTION NO. 1-1990 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF WATER WORKS COMMISSIONERS AND OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE TO THE WATER AND SEWER SECURITY DEPOSITS ASSESSED AGAINST CUSTOMERS OF THE SOUTH BEND WATER WORKS WHEREAS, the approved water rate tariff of the South Bend Water Works (hereafter the "Water Works") issued February 5, 1987 pursuant to Order Number 37995 by the Indiana Public Service Commission, now the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (hereafter the "IURC"), authorizes the Water Works to assess a security deposit of "no more than one -sixth of the estimated annual bill for each meter size;" and WHEREAS, the South Bend Public Utilities Rules, Regulations & Policy, revised June 1, 1987, authorizes the assessment of a security deposit of "no greater than one -sixth of the estimated annual bill for water and sewer service to the applicant;" and WHEREAS, the security deposits currently assessed against customers of the Water Works are as follows: Meter Size Current Deposit Up to 1" $ 12 12" $ 15 2" $ 30 3" $ 45 4" $ 75 6" $120 8" $198 10" $220 12" $240; and WHEREAS, rules governing the operation of the Water Works provide, in essence, for the extension of service and credit to water/sewer customers, secured only by the indicated deposit, for up to approximately three (3) months, before water service may legally be terminated; and WHEREAS, the average charges assessed a Water Works customer for three (3) months service, assuming monthly consumption of 10.40 ccf water and 7.08 ccf sewage on a 5/8" meter, and including tax and insurance, is Sixty -One Dollars and Fourteen Cents ($61.14); and WHEREAS, the minimal deposit of Twelve Dollars ($12.00) on a 5/8" meter account, in light of the possible extension of service and credit, three (3) months service end, is insufficient security to cover that extension of credit and provides no incentive for a Water Works customer to pay his or her bill; and WHEREAS, a similar circumstance exists in the case of all metered water/sewer accounts; and WHEREAS, the Water Works security deposit schedule has been in place for approximately twenty-five (25) years, since its implementation in 1964; and WHEREAS, the following adjustments to the security deposit schedule under which the Water Works is currently operating, is hereby found by the Board of Public Works and the Board of Water Works Commissioners of the City of South Bend to be just, equitable, reasonable, fair, within the terms of the approved tariff, and no greater than one -sixth the average annual 17E REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 15. 1990 water/sewer bill for each indicated meter size: Meter Size Deposit Current Deposit Proposed Up to 1" $ 12 $ 40 12 $ 15 $ 50 2" - $ 30 $100 3" $ 45 $150 4" $ 75 $250 . 6" $120 $400 8" $198 $660 10" $220 $735 12" $240 $800; and WHEREAS, the Board of Water Works Commissioners and the Board of Public Works of the City of South Bend hereby find it fair, equitable, reasonable and just to provide for a reduction in the security deposit assessed Water Works customers if a customer establishes his or her creditworthiness under criteria established by the Board. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND THE BOARD OF WATER WORKS COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AS FOLLOWS: 1. That the following security deposit schedule shall be implemented by the Water Works: Meter Size Proposed Deposit Up to 1" $ 40 lilt $ 50 2" $100 3" $150 4" $250 6" $400 8" $660 10" $735 12" $800; and 2. That each applicant for service from, or present customer of, the Water Works shall be deemed creditworthy and shall be required to make a security deposit of one-half the applicable deposit amount established above if the applicant or customer satisfies the following criteria: (a) he or she has been a customer of the Water Works within the last two (2) years; (b) he or she owes no outstanding bills for service rendered by the Water Works; (c) he or she did not have during the last twelve consecutive months that the service was provided more than three (3) bills which were delinquent to the Water Works or, if service has been rendered for a period of less than twelve months, has not had more than two (2) delinquent bills in such a period; (d) he or she within the last two years did not have a service disconnected more than twice by the Water Works for non-payment of a bill for services rendered by the Water Works; and 20 REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 15, 1990 (e) he or she has not filed bankruptcy within the last seven years. 3. That if the applicant fails to establish that he or she is creditworthy pursuant to the above criteria, the applicant will be required to make the full deposit. 4. That the Water Works may require a present customer to increase his or her deposit amount if not already at the maximum if the customer has been mailed a disconnect notice for two (2) consecutive months or any three months within the preceding twelve month period, or when service has been disconnected pursuant to the rules for non-payment. 5. That a present customer wishing to transfer service to another address or to make a new application for service at an additional location will have his or her account reviewed for creditworthiness under the criteria listed in Paragraph 2. 6. That any customer currently being provided service may make a written request to have the Water Works review his or her deposit amount. If the customer is deemed creditworthy according to the above criteria, then the Water Works will credit any excess deposit over the reduced rate to the customer's account. 7. That Paragraphs 1 through 6, herein, inclusive, shall be and hereby are incorporated into the South Bend Public Utilities Rules, Regulations & Policy. 8. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect as of February 5, 1990. Adopted at the January 9, 1990, meeting of the Board of Water Works Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana. CITY OF SOUTH BEND, BY ITS BOARD OF WATER WORKS COMMISSIONERS BY: s/Wallace Gartee BY: s/Renelda Robinson BY: s/A.J. Kromkowski Adopted at the January 15, 1990, meeting of the Board of Public Works of the City of South Bend, Indiana. CITY OF SOUTH BEND, BY ITS BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS BY: s/John E. Leszczynski BY: s/Katherine Humphreys BY: s/Patricia E. DeClercq ATTEST: BY: s/Sandra M. Parmerlee, Clerk Board of Public Works AWARD BID - SLUDGE EQUIPMENT STORAGE BUILDING - BUREAU OF WASTEWATER In a letter to the Board, Mr. John J. Dillon, Director, Environmental Services, advised that the six (6) bids received on January 2, 1990 for the above referred to project have been reviewed and it is being recommended at this time that the Board award the bid submitted by Majority Builders, Inc., 62900 U.S. 31 South, South Bend, Indiana, in the amount as follows: 1 E Ll 21 REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 15, 1990 - Base Bid: $227,800.00 - Voluntary Alternate 1 - Grade Beam in lieu of foundations DEDUCT: - $ 2,100.00 - Voluntary Alternate 3 - Reduce insulation from R-30 roof and R-20 walls to R-19 roof and R-13 walls, including upgrade heaters from 100,000 to 150,000 BTU DEDUCT: - $ 9,780.00 Voluntary Alternate 4 - Add series 591 Thermalcore standard lift -track door instead of specified roll -up doors DEDUCT: - $ 6,000.00 TOTAL BID AWARDED: $209,920.00 Therefore, Mrs. DeClercq made a motion that the recommendation be accepted and the bid awarded. Ms. Humphreys seconded the motion which carried. APPROVE GRANT OF EASEMENT - LOT )#54 - KENSINGTON FARMS EAST Mr. Leszczynski advised that pursuant to the request submitted to the Board on December 18, 1989 by Lang, Feeney and Associates for a Release of Easement and granting of new Easement on Lot #54 in Kensington Farms East, the Board, at their meeting held on January 8, 1990, released the existing Easement subject to the granting of a new Easement by the developer. At this time, the Board is in receipt of a Grant of Easement from Jack Hickey Associates, Inc., to replace the easement which was released and which is required for the benefit of the City for the maintenance of a storm water drainage sewer. Therefore, Mr. Leszczynski made a motion that the Grant of Easement be accepted and approved. Mrs. DeClercq seconded the motion which carried. APPROVE DISTRICT ENGINEER'S REPORT OF INSPECTION AND RECOMMENDATION FOR ACCEPTANCE - PORTAGE & LINDSEY AND PORTAGE & CALIFORNIA INTERSECTION PROJECT Mr. Leszczynski advised that a District Engineer's Report of Inspection and Recommendation for Acceptance for the above referred to intersection project has been submitted to the Board for approval as the project has been inspected and it is recommended that it be accepted for maintenance. The form submitted indicates that the final inspection on the project was completed on November 29, 1989. Mr. Leszczynski made a motion that the Report be approved. Mrs. DeClercq seconded the motion which carried. First District Councilman Steve Luecke was present and advised the Board that the work done at the above referred to intersection is appreciated and has assisted the traffic flow through that intersection. He noted however that one (1) vacant lot across from the Firehouse Theater which was utilized during construction is in need of grating or seeding due to damage done during construction. Mr. Leszczynski advised Mr. Luecke that the contractor would be advised of this concern and asked to take care of the problem. PROVE REQUEST TO ADVERTISE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS - SALE OF ABANDONED VEHICLES Mrs. Patricia E. DeClercq, Director, Enforcement, requested permission to approximately eleven (11) abandoned Department of Code advertise for the sale of vehicles, which are being 22 REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 15, 1990 stored at Super Auto Salvage Corporation, 3300 South Main Street, South Bend, Indiana. It was noted that all vehicles have been stored more than fifteen (15) days, identification checks had been run for auto theft and the owners and lienholders notified. Upon a motion made by Mrs. DeClercq, seconded by Ms. Humphreys and carried, the above request was approved and a date of January 29, 1990, was established for the receiving and opening of sealed bids. APPROVE SECURITY FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS - MAYFLOWER SUBDIVISION Mr. Michael P. Meeks, Director, Division of Engineering, advised that Stanton Realty has submitted a Cashier's Check in the amount of $2,500.00 as security for public improvements to be completed in the Mayflower Subdivision at the southeast corner of Mayflower and Linden. Mr. Leszczynski made a motion that the security as submitted be approved. Mrs. DeClercq seconded the motion which carried. APPROVE TITLE SHEET - SOUTH BEND SIGNALIZATION PROJECT - MIAMI STREET & CALVERT STREET Mr. Leszczynski made a motion that the Title Sheet for the above referred to project be approved. Ms. Humphreys seconded the motion which carried and the Title Sheet was approved and signed. APPROVE AND/OR RELEASE EXCAVATION AND CONTRACTORS BONDS Mr. Michael P. Meeks, Director, Division of Engineering, recommended that the Excavation Bonds for the following be approved: - Northern Indiana Public Service Company Effective 1/8/90 - Shambaugh & Son, Inc. Effective 1/12/90 Additionally, Mr. Meeks advised that due to a clerical error, the Contractor's Bond of Paul Davis Systems released by the Board on January 8, 1990 should be released effective immediately and not June 13, 1990 as originally recommended. Therefore, Mr. Leszczynski made a motion that the recommendations be accepted and the above bonds be approved and/or released as indicated above. Mrs. DeClercq seconded the motion which carried. FILING OF CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE Upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mrs. DeClercq and carried, the Certificate of Insurance for Memorial Health Systems, Inc., 205 West Jefferson, Suite 600, South Bend, Indiana, was accepted and filed. APPROVE CLAIMS Chief Deputy Controller John D. Leisenring submitted Claim Docket No. 3074 through Claim Docket No. 3580 and recommended approval. Additionally, Voucher Nos. 53-74 for the Bureau of Wastewater, Voucher Nos. 27-58 for the Bureau of Sewers and Voucher Nos. 3-6 for the Bureau of Solid Waste were submitted for approval. Upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mrs. DeClercq and carried, the claims and vouchers were approved and the reports as submitted were filed. 1 1 23 P-J I REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 1.51 1990 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mrs. DeClercq and carried, the meeting adjourned at 9:43 a.m. ATTEST: Sandra M. Parmerlee, Clerk BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS t J n E. Leszczy�J*'s�� i; Patricia E. DeClercq atherine Humo