HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-15 UtilitiesUTILITIES JUNE 22, 2015 4:34 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Derek Dieter
Citizen Members Present: Kathleen Petitjean (AB)
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis (XAB), Valerie Schey, Karen White,
Oliver Davis (4:55)
Others Present: Mike Bronstetter, Eric Horvath, Cecil Eastman, John Murphy
Agenda: Bill No. 24 -15 Amend Code to Lower Sewer Insurance
Deductible
Bill No. 25 -15 Amend Code to Require Yard Waste Container
Use
Bill No. 26 -15 Adjust Fees for Collection of Disposable Refuse
Materials
The Utilities Committee was called to order at 4:34 by its Chair Dr. David Varner. Full committee was in
attendance. Citizen member Kathleen Petitjean was absent.
Three bills were on the agenda. The first 24 -15 initiated by the City would lower residential customer
deductibles from $500 to $250 for the Sewer Insurance Program. Eric Horvath, Director of Public Works,
said a favorable fund balance allowed this reduction. In addition Eric proposed having the City cover up
to $1,000 the cost of landscaping and /or sidewalk repair caused by a sewer dig. Previously the City did
not foot any of this cost. (See attached)
During Council discussion the issue of double - billing as reported by the South Bend Tribune (SBT) was
raised. According to the SBT a contractor routinely hired by the City for sewer repair was billing both
the homeowner and the City for the work. Eric said there was an independent investigation underway;
but no charges had been filed. What concerned the Council most was the fact that the contractor was
still bidding on work for the City. The sentiment was that this company not be eligible to bid until the
investigation was resolved.
With these questions unanswered the Council committee felt the bill should be continued. On
unanimously supported motions by Dr. Ferlic and Gavin Ferlic bill 24 -15 was continued until July 27'h
The next item, bill 25 -15, was also sponsored by the City and presented by Eric Horvath. The bill would
require all residents to use City provided containers for yard waste. Currently the City charges $16.00
per year on a voluntary basis for the containers which are picked up on a weekly basis. Eric Horvath said
it was not economically feasible for the City to continue removing yard waste that was not in City
furnished containers.
The mandatory requirement caused considerable consternation on the part of the Council mostly about
adding another charge to the utility bill without a choice.
After a series of questions the bill was continued until July 27 on supported motions by Derek Dieter and
Dr. Fred Ferlic.
The final item, bill 26 -15, asked the Council to approve a two -tier increase in fees for the collection and
disposal of solid waste materials. Eric Horvath and Mike Bronstetter, the Manager of Solid Waste
Operations, made the case for the increases. Attached is a report from Umbaugh, a CPA firm, hired by
the City to do a rate study. The proposed increase beginning in August of 2015 would be approx. $1.00
per month for residential customers.
Following discussion the bill was sent to Council with a favorable recommendation after motions by
Derek Dieter and Dr. Fred Ferlic which were supported by all.
Dr. David Varner adjourned at 5:14 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. David Varner, Chairperson
Utilities Committee