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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-26-01 Utilities • 'ommttt fort: ttlitt ommittue The November 26,2001 meeting of the Utilities Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Al `Buddy"Kirsits at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Coleman, Varner, King, Aranowski, Pfeifer, White, Ujdak, Varner and Kelly; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Director of Public Works Gary Gilot, City Engineer Carl Littrell,Bureau of Water Works Director John Stancati, Larry Magliozzi,Kathy Cekanski Farrand, Council Attorney and Terry Bland of the $ outh WW1 Crtbuu. . Council Member Kirsits noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 112-01 which would amend Chapter 17 of the South Bend Municipal Code by adding new Article 9 entitled "Water and Sewer Installation Construction Fees". Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, made the presentation. It would establish "universal rates" for the connection to water and sewer which are based on a review of recent prices for extensions of modest depth and sizes in residential developments. He noted that costs for the deepest or largest trunk sewers or transmission lines have not been included. Water connection fees would be established on a per lineal foot and sewer connection fees would be based on a per square foot, based on the lot sizes. The ordinance continues the 10 % discount for lump sum payments with a new below market interest rate for time payments. The rate would be 2 % below the City's prime rate of borrowing as established on December 1st of the previous calendar year. Payments can be paid over sixty(60) months. The program is designed to break even in costs. Council Member Kirsits inquired about unstable soil. It was noted that the City currently demucks and dewaters and does not use the soil involved in such procedures. Following discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kelly that Bill No. 112-01 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 113-01 which would dissolve the Water Works Board of Directors and transfer such board's authority to the Board of Public Works. Mr. Gilot made the presentation. He stated that the proposal would provide for a more unified approach, which would included management oversight. He stressed that it is not a reflection of current or past Water Works Board members. He noted that there have been varying practices in the past and a consolidated board would eliminate that. Mr. Gilot noted that he had received a letter via facsimile today from Council Member Ujdak (copy attached) which requested that Bill No. 113-01 be continued until the Council meeting in December. Mr. Gilot noted that he would not oppose such a request. Council Member Coleman inquired the most important projects which the Board has reviewed in recent years. He noted that such things as water quality comes to mind which warrant citizen input on such topics. Council Member Coleman noted that the Mayor's Traffic Commission for example has benefitted greatly from citizen input. In response to further inquires made by Council Member Coleman, Mr. Gilot stated that advisory board members on an ad hoc basis is currently being considered. Mayor Luecke stated that the ad hoc notion would not be formalized and Mr. Gilot added that there is a two-hour long agenda meeting held in conjunction with the Board of Public Works meetings. • Utilities Committee November 26,2001 Page 2 Council Member Aranowski inquired as to who the current Water Works Board members were. Mr. Gilot noted that Wally Gartee,Gatha Vaughn and John Oxian are currently on the Board. Mayor Luecke noted that he has spoken to each of the current Board members. The Mayor also noted that currently there is no sewage works board and that the proposal is to help streamline the process. Council President Pfeifer inquired whether the current members would be invited to be ad hoc members. Mr. Gilot stated that he would invite different people and that they would not always be the same individuals. In response to a question from Council Member Aranowski, it was noted that the Water Works Board currently meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. in the Board of Works meeting room. Council Member Aranowski noted that a meeting time of 10 am is not conducive to public being able to attend and recommended alternating meeting dates to allow ample public input such as every 3rd meeting being an evening meeting. Mayor Luecke inquired about the benefit of such alternating meetings. Council Member Varner noted that the rate increase would be one example of an issue that it would be absolutely essential to have a time that is friendly to the public. Council President Pfeifer inquired as to the criteria which would be used to determine what should have public input from the ad hoc members, and she stressed the need to invite the current members as ad hoc members. Following discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Coleman that Bill No. 113-01 be continued until the December 10th Council meeting. The motion passed. Council Member Coleman requested for a listing of some of the major public hearings so that the Council could review past activity. He noted that when the City attempted to remove itself from the IPSC would be one example. Council Member Aranowski noted that there may not have been a large crowd when the city was considering the location of a water tower, if it had been held at 10 am. Mr. Gilot stated that he favors an open accessible government and welcomed the opportunity to have further discussion on this Bill. There being no further business to come before the Committee,Council Member Kirsits adjourned the meeting at 5:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Al "Buddy"Kirsits,Chairperson Utilities Committee KCF:kmf Attachments