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2004 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
UTILTIES COMMITTEE
OF THE
SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL
Pursuant to § 2-10 of the South Bend Municipal Code, the following 2004 Annual
Report of the Utilities Committee is filed which highlights activities of this calendar year.
Duties: The Utilities Committee is charged with "overseeing the various
activities of all enterprise entities including but not limited to the Bureau of Waterworks,
Bureau of Sewers and all related entities" pursuant to § 2-10 (i) (10) of the South Bend
Municipal Code.
Members: There are four(4) Council Members on this Committee,namely: Sean
Coleman as Vice-Chairperson, Charlotte D. Pfeifer, Ervin Kuspa, and myself as
Chairperson.
Meetings: This year the Utilities Committee held five (5) Committee meetings.
Highlighted Activities: The Utilities Committee reviewed with the City
Administration on Bill No. 46-04 which addressed the authorization, construction and
installation of various additions, extensions and improvements to the City's Sewage
Works operations. This review included a detailed presentation entitled"Sewer Revenue
Bonds of 2004—Continuing Investments in Environmental Infrastructure". This
Bill was passed by the Council on August 9, 2004 as Ordinance No. 9523-04 and
formally authorized an $11.5 million revenue bond over a 20-year period. It called for a
24% across the board rate increase which was recommended by the City Administration
and a 5% across the board rate increase for 2005. That ordinance also authorized the
Mayor to appoint an advisory committee which would make future recommendations to
the Mayor and the Council.
On September 27, 2004, the Council passed Bill No. 58-04 which became
Ordinance No. 9534-04. This ordinance was reviewed by the Utilities Committee and
amended Ordinance No. 8919-98 which addressed the 1998 bond issue for the Sewage
Works. This ordinance addressed a Debt Reserve Account insurance policy for the
Sewage Works Sinking Fund and the funding of the debt service reserve requirements.
On October 11, 2004, the Council passed Bill No. 65-04 which became
Ordinance No. 9539-04. This ordinance was reviewed by the Utilities Committee and
created a new § 17.27.1 Hauled Septic Tank-Waste and Similar Liquid Waste
Discharge Requirements and Rates in the South Bend Municipal Code. This ordinance
raised the rate from $0.025 per gallon for hauled septic tank waste to $0.06 per gallon.
On November 8, 2004. the Council passed Bill No. 78-04 which became
Ordinance No. 9542-04. This ordinance created a new Article 11 to Chapter 17 of the
South Bend Municipal Code which would regulate non-stormwater discharges to the
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2004 Utilities Committee Annual Report
Page 2
city's separated storm water sewer system. The Council also passed on this same date,
Bill No. 79-04 which Ordinance No. 9543-04 which created new Article 12 to Chapter
17 of the South Bend Municipal Code which would regulate storm water discharges
from construction sites and would control erosion and sediment.
On November 22, 2004, the Council passed Bill No. 04-125 which became
Resolution No. 3401-04. This resolution unanimous supported the reduction of utility
deposits for low and middle-income residents, which was recommend to us by the St.
Joseph County Utility Self-Sufficiency Task Force. As Chairperson of the Utilities
Committee, I plan to formally present a copy of this Resolution at tonight's Indiana
Utilities Regulatory Commission public hearing to be held at the Century Center.
Upcoming activities of the Utilities Committee include:
• Reviewing Bill No. 84-04 on December 13, 2004 which would extend
the deadline for the Water Leak Insurance Fund (#644) and address the
repayment of the loan received from the Water Works General Fund
(#620).
• Reviewing Bill No. 88-04 on January 10,2005 which would establish
a new schedule of rates & charges for services rendered by the Water
Works and formally amend § 17-45 and § 17-46 of the South Bend
Municipal Code.
• Working with the City Administration as recommendations are
receiving from the Steering Committee addressing IDEM and EPA
mandates to determine the most beneficial and practical programs
which can be implemented which are cost efficient and effective to our
citizens and utility customers.
An ongoing challenge of the Utilities Committee is to attract citizen members who have
the interest and time to serve on this committee.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Al"Buddy"Kirsits, Chairperson
Utilities Committee /� December 1, 2004
cc: Mayor Stephen J. Luecke , �° office
The South Bend Common Council
The Office of the City Clerk DEC _ 2 2004
Filed In Cleric's
JOHN VSO.BEND,TN.CLERK,