05-08-17 Utilities - Laserfiche WebLink

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better way. The culmination of that technical work is about to be presented. The second track is the negotiation track. We have been talking about it all along but now that we have the technical information, the negotiations really go into high-gear. The third track is the policy track. It is also the case that federal law and federal practice could change. It could change in a way that makes it easier for us to comply. We are continuing on this track. Under the prior Federal Administration, I often raised this issue with former EPA officials and our congressional representation. I've already discussed this with our newly elected senator and the senior senator. I will also be testifying in congress on this issue in about two (2) weeks in front the sub- committee on Water, Resources and Environment, which is part of the committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the House of Representatives. We are developing that testimony in concert with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the focus is on this question of affordability and integrated planning. I've also notified the acting administrator for the EPA for our region. There hasn't been a Presidential appointment yet so one (1) of the career employees there is acting as the administrator there and I've provided him with a heads up. This is the first time since I've been Mayor that a mayor has testified in Congress on a policy matter. This shows the centrality of this issue to our City's long-term future and how important it is on our priority list. Committeemember Oliver Davis asked, You said there are three (3) phases. At what point do you bring that matter to the Council for any type of vote on this kind of issue? To my knowledge, your predecessor never brought this issue before Council. At what point will we entertain public discussion? Mayor Buttigieg replied, So I can't speak to the prior process of course but since we've been in office,there has been an understanding that we all need to be engaged with the Council. Procedurally, it's a negotiation between the Federal Government and the City. I would suggest there may come a point when some sort of action,possibly a resolution,would be in order once we are all on the same page. Today is intended to be just a step in that direction so that we are having a dialogue. It's also the case that all of this will have to be paid for. While on one (1) hand we are required to do it, on the other hand we can't do it without the authority from Council. So that is all the more reason why I think it's a healthy thing to be having this dialogue now rather than presenting something to Council that has already happened. Kieran Fahey, Director of the Long Term Control Plan with offices on the 13`h floor of the County-City Building, stated, This is the largest Public Works project that will come across your desk and is the largest Public Works project in the history of South Bend. It has the ability to shape the future of South Bend in many ways. As the Mayor mentioned, our approach has been a multi-tracked approach. We realize the engineering approach will get us so far but subsequent and concurrent to that are the political implications. It is important that this project benefits South Bend in as many ways as possible. It should not just be spending a lot of money toward one (1) issue. We feel through green-infrastructure and socially and environmentally engaging with the community,the economy and vibrancy of South Bend will benefit in many ways. We are very excited. It has been very challenging over the past few years being faced with this daunting task. The first task was to do a full re-assessment of where we were. That made us realize that not only were we in a bad situation,but things were worse than we anticipated. The Long Term Control Plan has two (2)phases. Phase One (1)included wastewater treatment plant 3