HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-15 UtilitiesUTILITIES APRIL 27, 2015 4:50 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic, Oliver Davis (XAB),
Dr. Fred Ferlic
Citizen Members Present: Kathleen Pettijean (AB)
Other Council Present: Tim Scott (XAB), Henry Davis, Valerie Schey, Karen White,
Derek Dieter
Others Present: Kathy Cekanski - Farrand
Agenda: Update & Discussion of CSO Project
Dr. David Varner, Chair of the Utilities Committee, continued a series of status updates from the
Department of Public Works regarding the (CSO) Combined Sewer Operation project.
The CSO project represents the city's plan to comply with the strictures of the EPA Clean Water Act. This
federally mandated clean water standard requires the separation of the now combined storm and
sanitary sewer systems. The projected cost to ratepayers is expected to exceed $600 million.
To a number of councilmembers the overall cost of compliance has been seen as imposing a far too
heavy burden on the ratepayers. The Council has asked the city administration to look for a lower cost
alternative fix. Then hopefully the city could renegotiate the consent degree that Mayor Luecke agreed
to with the EPA. Current Mayor Buttigieg had already been working on finding economies in a revised
approach opening the door to renegotiating the consent decree he inherited.
Dr. Varner and Dr. Ferlic, both of whom have pushed for lowering the costs of compliance have asked
for regular updates from Eric Horvath.
To drive home the unaffordability of the current plan Dr. Varner provided a handout (attached)
illustrating how given an annual 9% increase in sewer charges currently proposed. Dr. Varner and Dr.
Ferlic both feel this rate projection would not only put an unfair burden on residential taxpayers; but
also discourage new business investment.
Brief discussion among Council members followed before Dr. Varner adjourned the meeting at 5:13 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Dr. David Varner, Chairperson
Utilities Committee