HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-15 UtilitiesUTILITIES FEBRUARY 24.2015 3:00 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic (3:20) Dr. Fred Ferlic,
Derek Dieter
Citizen Members: Jack Smith, Kathleen Pettijean, Chris Huff
Other Council Present: Tim Scott (EAB), Henry Davis, Valerie Schey (AB),
Oliver Davis (AB), Karen White (AB)
Others Present: Kara Boyles, Consultants from NWM, American
Structurepoint, Tom Unger MWH, Eric Horvath
Agenda: Discussion of CSO Project— Eric Horvath
This meeting of the Utilities Committee chaired by Dr. David Varner is meant to develop a further
understanding of the city's CSO project. To that end, Dr. Varner invited Eric Horvath, Public Works
Director to provide the update. Attending the meeting were Eric, his Public Works staff, along with
representatives from MWH and American Structurepoint, the consulting firms contracted by the city to
help reevaluate the proposed $600 plus million dollar CSO plan.
In brief, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an effort to improve water quality, has mandated
A sewer /sanitary- wastewater separation project originally estimated to cost in excess of $600 million
dollars. To comply with the mandate, the city entered into a consent decree with the EPA delineating
how and when the city would meet the requirements.
The City Council and Dr. David Varner in particular, have asked the City to reconsider approaches to
compliance with overall cost suppression in mind. The Council strongly felt the city rates payers, both
residential and commercial could not afford rate increases necessary to pay for the mandate. A group of
concerned citizens gathered after the $600 plus million dollar solution was proposed. They came up
with 14 questions regarding the CSO Plan. The questions, answers and todays discussion of them were a
part of the Utilities Committee agenda.
(The attachments summarize the discussion.)
After nearly two hours of discussion Dr. Varner chose Tuesday July 21" as the date for the next meeting.
The consultants would be asked to report on Phase I of the project.
Dr. Varner adjourned the meeting at 4:50 P.M.
�Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. David Varner, Chairperson
Utilities Committee