HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-05 Utilities Committee Utilities Committee
2005 South Bend Common Council
The March 14, 2005 of the Utilities Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council
Member Al"Buddy"Kirsits at 4:25 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Varner,
Kuspa,Kirsits, and White and Rouse;Mayor Stephen Luecke, Tom Skarbek, City Engineer Carl
Littrell, Mikki Dobski-Shidler, Martha Lewis, Executive. Director of the Department of
Community and Economic Development Sharon Kendall, Building Commissioner Don Fozo,
Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Director of Public Works Gary Gilot, Rita Kopala, City Clerk John
Voorde, Director of Environmental Services Jack Dillon, Andy Wierzbicki, Special Projects
Coordinator of the Bureau of Water Works; Jeff Parrott of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney.
Council Member Kirsits noted that Committee Members include Council Members Puzzello,
Kuspa,Rouse and himself.
Council Member Kirstis then called for a presentation on Bill No 14-05 which would amend
Chapter 16, Article 3, Section 16-26 of the South Bend Municipal Code to increase certain
charges at the City's Organic Resource Facility and to clarify the Commercial Nature of
Recycled Yard Waste.
Director of Environmental Services Jack Dillon made the presentation. He noted that charges
would go from $4.00 per cubic yard to $8.00 per cubic yard for compost, wood chips and other
recycled yard waste; with no charge if a person loads the material himself or herself Delivery of
not less than 20 cubic yards and no more than 25 cubic yards would have a separate delivery
charge of$4.00 per cubic yard.
In response to a question from Council Member Kelly, Mr. Dillon noted that the proposed
charges are to test the market to see what it will bear.. The main objective is to get rid of the
material.
Council Member Kirsits stated that he believes it is a good bargain.
Dr. Varner inquired whether the city should consider bidding in bulk. Mr. Dillon stated that they
may look at that concept in the future.
Council Member Kuspa then made a motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello, that Bill
No. 14-05 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Council Member Kirsits then called for a presentation on Bill No. 15-05 which would amend
Chapter 17,Article 6, Section 17-49 of the South Bend Municipal Code to increase water service
fund charges.
March 14,2005 Utilities Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 1-
Andy Wierzbicki, Special Projects Coordinator of the Bureau of Water Works, made the
presentation. He presented a 1-page handout (copy attached) which gave a brief history of the
leak insurance fund since 2000.
In response to a question from Council Member Kelly,Mr. Wierzbicki noted that the IURC does
not have jurisdiction over this fee.
Following discussion, Council Member Kirsits made a motion, seconded by Council Member
Rouse that Bill No. 15-05 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Kirsits
adjourned the meeting at 4:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Al"Buddy"Kirsits,Chairperson
Utilities Committee
KCF:kmf
Attachments 4 A
March 14,2005 Utilities Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 2-