HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-17 UtilitiesOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
KAREEMAH FOWLER, CITY CLERK
UTILITIES
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent:
Other Council Present:
Others Present:
Agenda:
JANUARY 9, 2017 5:13 P.M.
Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis, and Regina Williams -
Preston
Randy Kelly
Jo M. Broden, Karen White, Tim Scott,
Eric Horvath, Kareemah Fowler, Alkeyna Aldridge,
Aladean DeRose and Adriana Rodriguez
Bill No. 66 -16- Addressing New Water Rates and Charges
Bill No. 66 -16- Addressing New Water Rates and Charges
Committee Chair Dr. David Varner called the meeting to order at 5:13 p.m. with one (1) item on
the agenda, Bill No. 66 -16 regarding new water rates. He welcomed City Director of Public
Works, Eric Horvath, to the floor to present on Bill No. 66 -16
Mr. Horvath re- introduced Bill No. 66 -16 to Council stressing the importance of clean water and
the tendency to take such efforts for granted. He argued the capital needs of the City's water
infrastructure have been ignored for years and this is the time to be proactive about protecting
clean water in our City.
Mr. Horvath went on to share the importance of passing the proposed ordinance as is as opposed
to a graduated water rate increase which would still delay the capital needs which need to
promptly be addressed. Also, he shared, it's important to approach the IURC once for approval
as opposed to proposing a time graduated increase. Doing so, Mr. Horvath argued would
decrease the likelihood that the IURC would support the additional changes overtime.
Committee Chair Varner asked if we considered other funding sources like TIF to support these
capital needs rather than further burden residents with another increase.
Committee Member Oliver Davis shared Committee Chair Varner's sentiments and shared with
Mr. Horvath that he'd like to see Public Works educate the public and media on the necessity of
an increase and the current condition of our water infrastructure.
455 County-City Building • 227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • South Bend, Indiana 46601
Phone 574 - 235 -9221 • Fax 574- 235 -9173 • TDD 574- 235 -5567 • www.SouthBendIN.gov
JENNIFER M. COFFMAN ALKEYNA M. ALDRIDGE JOSEPH R. MOLNAR
CHIEF DEPUTY/ CHIEF OF STAFF DEPUTY/ DIRECTOR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK
Mr. Horvath expressed that the department has in fact been doing just that. The department
published an article in the South Bend Tribune in February relating to safe water, and has held
several community meetings with top users to address concerns.
Committee Member Davis readdressed his concerns and suggested Mr. Horvath reach out to the
media.
Council Member Karen White shared that she also shared the concerns of her Council colleagues
and thinks that it's important to engage more water users.
Committee Member Regina Williams- Preston asked if there are other ways we could look at to
support the City's capital needs.
Committee Chair Varner expressed a need to discuss further options with City Administration
and, the Redevelopment Commission and Department of Public Works. He suggested a future
meeting to discuss an ordinance amendment, and entertained a motion to continue Bill No. 66 -16
to January 23ra
Committee Member Davis motioned to continue Bill No. 66 -16 to January 23rd. The motion was
seconded by Committee Member Williams- Preston and carried unanimously.
With no further business before the Committee, Committee Chair Varner adjourned the meeting
at 5:46 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. David Varner, Committee Chair
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