HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2024 Utilities Meeting Minutes (Signed)OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
BIANCA L. TIRADO , CITY CLERK
UTILITIES
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent:
Other Council Present:
Other Council Absent:
Others Present:
Presenter( s):
Agenda :
FEBRUARY 26, 2024 5:09 P.M.
Sherry Bolden-Simpson, Dr. Oliver Davis ,
Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers , Troy Warner
None
Canneth Lee , Karen L. White, Rachel Tomas
Morgan, Sheila Niezgodski
Sharon L. McBride
Bianca L. Tirado , Elivet Quijada-Navarro ,
Danica Kulemeka, Victoria Stowell ,
Matthew Neal , Bob Palmer
Eric Horvath
Organizational Meeting
Update -Replacing of Lead Pipes I Utility
Assistance Program I Status of City Water
Treatment Plan Upgrades I Progress of CSO
Issue s
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
http:// docs.sou th bendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx? dbid=0&mediaid=380844
Committee Chair Sherry Bolden-Simpson called to order the Utilities Committee meeting at 5 :09
p.m.
Committee Chair Bolden-Simpson stated that the Utilities Committee has plans to swear in a
citizen member soon, and stated that applications are still open for another citizen member.
Eric Horvath, Public Works Director, with offices on the 14th floor of the County-Ci ty Building.
New Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations require public water utilities to
identify and map all drinking water service line materials connecting from City water mains to
customers' homes by October 2024 . The City owns and maintains water mains while
Dani ca Kulc m c ka
0-U EF D EPUfY/ 0-U EF OF STAFF
INTEGRIT Y I SERVICE I ACCESSIBILIT Y
EJi vc t Quijad a-I avarro
D EPVfY/ D I RECTOR OF POLI CY
Mattl1 c w Neal
DIRECTOR OF SP EOAL P ROJE CTS
EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT
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CITY O F SO UTH BEI D OFFICE OF THE CLER K
homeowners own and maintain water service lines as well as internal plumbing. The Water
Service Line Material Inventory is built using the age of homes , existing information of types of
materials , and reported information regarding types of materials. The predictive service model
will give a percentage chance of how likely it is for a water line to contain lead. City Water
customers can get their water tested for lead for free. The Utilities Assistance Program helps to
reduce water and sewer bills by up to twenty-five dollars and fifty cents ($25.50), and is open to
homeowners and tenants. In 2022 a new Long Term Control Plan for sewer overflow was
finalized and appro ved by the EPA and Department of Ju stice (DOJ) called S.A .G.E. (Smarter
Alternative for Greener Environment). The new plan reduced the prospective costs from seven
hundred million dollars ($700 ,000 ,000) to two hundred and seventy-six million dollars
($276 ,000 ,000). The timeline for S.A.G.E . spans from 2022 to 2038. The new sewer system
smart sensors allow the City to model and better predict how the sewer system will handle
stormwater during rain events. The current project funding has been approved by the state, and
will be funded using Indiana's State Revolving Fund dollars. The first of four Combined Sewer
Overflow (CSO) storage tanks has already begun construction , there are Wastewater Treatement
Plant upgrades currently underway, and a second CSO storage tank project is to begin
engineering soon . The Fellows Booster Station is in need of being replaced , and is set to
undergo construction this year. This year the South Water Treatment Plant will see the
installation of a new water main , the installation of new dry chlorine scrubbing equipment, and
the replacement of piping. Beginning in 2025 the Edison Water Treatment Plant will see the
rehabilitation of filters , fluroride system upgrades , and electrical upgrades .
Committee Vice Chair Dr. Oliver Davis asked how climate change affects-· the City 's water
systems , asked if Councilmembers would be able to attend seminars regarding water systems ,
and asked what needs to be done as the City grows .
Mr. Horvath stated that it is important that the City does not give up water capacity, and stated
that South Bend has a great aquifer with great water quality. Mr. Horvath stated that the City will
continue to monitor climate change so that they are prepared for future events.
Committee Member Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers asked who senior citizens should contact about
the Utilities Assistance Program.
Mr. Horvath stated that if Committee member Gooden-Rodgers is able to get him the contact
info of any senior citi zen struggling with the Utility Assistance Program application process he
will be happy to help them.
Committee Chair Bolden-Simpson asked what can be done to increase membership in the Utility
Assistance Program.
Mr. Horvath stated that there have been door-knocking campaigns as well as the distribution of
fliers .
Committee Vice Chair Dr. Davis asked if any of the outreach attempts have been inclusive to
Spanish-speaking residents.
EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILIT Y INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
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CITY O F SO T H BEN D OFFICE OF THE CLERK
Mr. Horvath stated that the fliers that have been distributed are translated into Spanish on the
back.
Committee Chair Bolden-Simpson opened the discussion to the public.
Sue Kesim , 4022 Kennedy Drive , South Bend IN 46614 , requested the City look into work done
in Tampa Florida regarding "forever chemicals ".
Mr. Horvath stated that forever chemicals are Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS).
Polyfluorinated Substances are called "forever chemicals" due to having a lengthy half-life .
There are steps to help eliminate Polyfluorinated Substances , but the first step is to identify them .
Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan stated that there is legislation currently in the short
session regarding Polyfluorinated Substances .
Committee Chair Bolden-Simpson requested people having trouble with the pipe material survey
QR code to call three-one-one (311) for assistance, and stated that there will be another Utilities
Committee meeting to debrief this meeting .
Committee Chair Bolden-Simpson adjourned the Utilities Committee meeting at 5:44 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted ,
en-Simpson , Committee Chair
NOT ICE FOR HEARI NG AN D SIG JJT IMPAIRED PERSO NS
Auxili ary Aid or Olh cr Services may bt Avai labl e up on Requ es t at No Ch:UJ!C.
Pl ease give Reasonabl e Adva nce Re<1u cs t whe n Possible
EXCE LLEN CE ACCOUNTABILITY INN OVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
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