HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 Annual Report - Utilities Committee The South Bend Common Council Annual Report for the Utilities Committee
Date: 12/6/2012
To: The South Bend Common Council The office of the Clerk
From:Tim Scott, 1St District Common Council Representative-Chairperson of the Utilities Committee
I am pleased to file this 2012 Annual Report of the Council Utilities Committee in order to comply with
Section 2-10(i)of the South Bend Municipal Code.That Code provision requires all Standing Committee
Chairpersons to file an Annual Report with the Office of the City Clerk by the 2nd Monday of December.
As noted at the November 26th Common Council meeting,the deadline for filing all of these reports is
Monday, December 10, 2012.
Duties:
The Council Utilities Committee oversees the activities of all enterprise entities including but not limited
to the Bureau of Waterworks.
2012 Committee Members:
• Oliver Davis—Vice-Chairperson,6th District Common Council
• Valerie Schey, 3rd District Common Council
• Karen L.White,At-Large Common Council
• Dawn Pontius,Citizen Member
• Christine Sopczynski,Citizen Member
Committee Meetings and Highlights:
To date the Utilities Committee met six times in 2012 and held public hearings 5 times on the following
issues:
• The ramifications of the consent decree between the Environmental Protection Agency and the
City of South Bend mandating the separation of storm and sanitary sewers which carried an
estimated price of$500 million.
• Valerie Schey volunteered to serve on the Board of Solid Waste.
• The committee heard a report from Jon Burke,the City's Energy Czar,on the state of the energy
savings the City has incurred.Through savings and grants Mr. Burke has paid for his position and
has found substantial savings for the city of South Bend,through new lighting, new energy
savings initiatives such as the river turbine and new conservation processes.
• The Committee was informed on the option about a budgeted plan for water bills. Cynthia
Simons, Customer Service Manager, of the Waterworks Department stated that rates are fairly
stable. Unstable water bill increases could be a sign of a water supply issue, but mostly
customers should have a consistent bill.
• A public hearing was held on Bills Nos.52-12 and 53-12 for the issuance and sales of water and
sewage works bonds.The storm and sewage separation project was proceeding at a successful
pace;efficiencies and green solutions and this set of bonds added to the success.This bond sale
was not to exceed$25 million. Bill 52-12 was passed by council.
• Bill No. 53-12 was a refinance of an earlier bond allowing the City to enjoy an interest rate
reduction of nearly 2%from the original rate of 5%.This also passed by Council.
• The City presented any ramifications to the citizens and any affects the closing of New Energy
ethanol plant in the county.
• Former Public Works Director,Gary Gilot along with City Engineer Mike Mecham told the
committee,on Nov 26th,that it was too early to tell. But the city would not expect
payments around $2 million a year to continue in 2013.This might mean rate hikes for
citizens.The City will report back in 2-3 months on any affect.
• Also,the committee was informed of a "wait and see"solution for the sewage smell
generated by New Energy within the city limits and its effects on residents. Mike Mecham,
City Engineering, is prepared to implement a system of new storm drain covers to alleviate
the smell issue.With New Energy closed there is no need to implement a solution.Also,the
City would be power washing any debris left over by New Energy to move it out of our
sewer system.
I would like to thank our Citizen Members, Dawn Pontius and Christine Sopczynski for their participation
on this committee. Both were two of many that applied for the committee. Citizen involvement is what
makes our government stronger and transparent for all. I also want to thank my Council colleagues for
their input and guidance during this first year.Thank you to Kathy Cekanski-Farrand,John Voorde, Mary
Beth Wisniewski and Janice Talboom for their support.Thank you to all the City Department heads and
personnel that came and contributed to this committee and for sharing their acknowledgement and
experience so we can be informed and make the best decisions for the all within the City of South Bend.
Thank you.
Respect. . ubmitt!:
Tim Sco -4. + N'
Utilities Committee Chairperson
1St District Council Member
Filed in4 :Office
DEC 10 0`Z01
CITY CLERKS --k 'i h aEND,IN