11-23-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING November 23, 2015 CODE TO INCLUDE NEW RULES, REGULATIONS, AND SERVICE CHARGES FOR VARIOUS PERMITS AND REVIEWS IN CONNECTION WITH STORMWATER CONTROL AND CONSTRUCTION IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY Chairperson White requested a motion to hear the substitute version of the bill. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to hear the substitute version of the bill. Council Vice President Derek Dieter seconded the motion, the motion carried by a vote voice of (6) six ayes. Dr. David Varner, Chairperson, Utilities Committee met this afternoon and sends Bill 40-15 to the full Council favorably. Councilmember Henry Davis, Presenter- Spoke regarding the six-hundred and sixty (660) million dollar update to the sewer system. The program, as proposed in the bill, provided an alternative to the cost of the update by disconnecting residential roof downspouts from the City sewage piping and water treatment facility. The program would attach rain barrels to the downspouts to collect the rain water. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Those wishing to speak in favor: Christopher Huck, 1831 College St. - Mr. Huck stated he had been a part of the process. Mr. Huck stated that the long term control plan’s pricing has been projected to be over 1 billion dollars due to the financing of the costs. Mr. Huck stated that our neighboring community to the east has prohibited the roof drainage from being connected to the City water treatment. Mr. Huck also advised that the sewer system can handle double the amount of waste water, however when the storm water is added, it causes over seven-hundred and fifty (750) million gallons of untreated water to run into the St. Joe River. Jesse Davis PO BOX 10250- Great idea and it will eliminate storm water entering the system. This should pass with a favorable recommendation. th Eric Horvath, 7 Floor of this building- Mr. Horvath expressed his thanks for discontinuing the downspout connection. The amount of waste water originally was 2 billion gallons and has been brought down to 400 million gallons. Mr. Horvath also noted the large amount of impervious surfaces in the City—the rain water runoff from which is the next area to be considered. Kathleen Petitjean, 119 S. 26th - I am in support of this. I think it is a step in the right direction, and I hope we continue to look at the mitigation of the storm water that goes into the system. The next one to look at is impervious surfaces. Chairperson White asked for comments from the Councilmembers: Councilmember Henry Davis- I know this sounds confusing. We are doing this to ensure resident water bills do not reach $300 within five (5) to ten (10) years. Dr. Ferlic- Thanked the council attorney for help and correcting language. Vice President Dieter –How will Public Works connect with residents who need to disconnect? Make sure we get the word out that for the next two years that the disconnect of downspouts will be paid for by the City. Eric Horvath, Public Works Director- Mr. Horvath stated that the Public Works has been maintaining a list of those homes that require disconnection. Mr. Horvath stated that residents would sign forms giving permission for city workers to enter their property and perform the disconnection work. Mr. Horvath also added that if property-owners demand that city workers leave their properties the city workers would leave the properties they were asked to leave from. 4