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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-00 Utilities aCommttttt Zeport Utilities Committee t0 trjt Common toutttil of t jt City of *out1j tttb: The February 28, 2000 meeting of the Utilities Committee was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Al "Buddy" Kirsits at 3:37 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Kelly, King, Coleman, Varner, Pfeifer, Ujdak, White and Kirsits; Attorney Philip J. Faccenda, Jr.,Mr. John J. Dillon,Director of the Division of Environmental Services;Mr.John Stancati, Director of the Bureau of Water Works; Larry Magliozzi, Assistant Director of Planning & Neighborhood Development; Bob Hunt, Terry Bland of the*outYj 1.6t10 ZribUttt and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kirsits noted that this was the first committee meeting of the year. The committee is composed of Council Members Coleman as Vice-Chairperson, James Aranowski and Roland Kelly. He welcomed citizen member participation on the committee. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 16-00 which would amend § 17-46 and § 17-47 of the South Bend Municipal Code, and would create new § 17-46.4 regarding nonrecurring charges for customers of the South Bend Water Works. Mr. John Stancati, Director of the Bureau of Water Works, made the presentation. He noted that these rates were last reviewed in 1993 and would require the approval of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission before they would become effective. He noted that the "suburban hydrant rates". All recommended rates are based on a study by Crowe Chizek and Company LLP. Council Member Ujdak inquired as to the amount of money that would be generated by the new suburban hydrant rate. Mr. Stancati stated it should generate$ 80,000 annually. Council Varner inquired as to the number of hydrants which would be affected by the new suburban hydrant rate. Mr. Stancati stated there are at least 236 such hydrants and 305 hydrants in Clay Township. Following discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kelly,that Bill No. 16-00 be recommended favorably. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Substitute Bill!No. 23-00 which addresses the construction of improvements to the Municipal Waterworks authorizing revenue bonds not to exceed $ 2,6000,000. Attorney Philip J. Faccenda made the presentation. He noted that the City has applied for funds from the State Revolving Loan Fund. Preliminary approval has been received from IDEM. The ordinance would change the bonds in question from a 1999 issue to a 2000 issue.He then reviewed highlighted portions of the ordinance. In response to a question from Council Member Ujdak, Mr. Stancati stated that the Olive Street facility would have a twelve(12) million capacity well field. Utilities Committee February 28,2000 Page 2 Council Member Kirsits noted that he invited Mr.John J. Dillon, Director of the Division of Environmental Services;Mr.John Stancati,Director of the Bureau of Water Works,and Larry Magliozzi, Assistant Director of Planning & Neighborhood Development to the meeting to provide an update on the extension of public utilities to the south annexation area. Mr. Magliozzi showed a map of the south annexation area as of 1998. He noted that the court decision was handed down in December of 1999 in favor of the city. He showed the sixty (60) acre area described as the "big box retail" and the ten (10) acre area where two (2) hotels are proposed. The hotel project is ready to go once sewer and water lines are installed. He noted that Walmart put the project on the shelf when the lawsuit was filed. He further noted that the city will pay for all oversizing of pipes. There is a large area adjacent to the"big box retail"area which may be developed for single family. Water is the main concern to the area. There is a four(4)year period in which the city has to complete capital improvements to the area by state law. In response to a question from Council Member Kirsits,Mr. Magliozzi noted that it would be a looped water system by Johnson Road. Mr. Stancati noted that laterals would be run to US 31, along with oversizing and looping. Upgrades cannot be put in the same trench. Mr. Stancati noted that his portion could be completed in sixty (60) days; however Mr. Dillon noted that the sewers would take much longer. Much would be dependent on whether a private contractor or the city puts in the lines. The Council Attorney requested that Mr. Magliozzi update the Fiscal Plan which was adopted by resolution of the Council in 1998 for the annexed area to reflect projected costs in each of the areas addressed in the Fiscal Plan. Council Member Kirsits requested this written update to be sent to the entire Council and their Counsel and then he would call another meeting fora presentation on the material. Following discussion, Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Coleman that Substitute Bill No. 23-00 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the Committee,the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Al "Buddy"Kirsits,Chairperson Utilities Committee KCF:kmf Attachments • 1'