03-25-02 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25, 2002 which is proactive and supportive of those people who happen to be in the wellhead areas is an approach that is commendable and one that he hopes will be maintained and be a consistent consideration with regards to the enforcement of this ordinance after it is adopted. The motion carried by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. BILL NO. 17 -02 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AMENDING CHAPTER 17 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE COSTS Councilmember Aranowski advised that the Health and Public Safety Committee and the Utilities Committee conducted a Public Hearing on this bill and sends it to the Council with a favorable recommendation as substituted. Mayor Stephen Luecke, 14th Floor, County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mayor Luecke stated that the City's water facility provides a great service to the citizens of this community and as part of the protection that is provided through the water service is that they provide the pipes and water and the pressure to be able to fight fires in the City. Because of that, the Water Works is due a fee for provision of that service. That fee has, in years past, been paid out of the General Fund but state law currently allows for that fee to be paid by the rate payers rather than through General Fund dollars. It is being proposed that this fee be shifted to the rate payers which in turn will free up additional dollars in the General Fund. Those dollars in the General Fund are needed for a variety of reasons most immediately to supplement the paving program. Mayor Luecke indicated that for the short term he would propose to use those dollars to supplement the paving program. In the long term, as indicated during negotiations, in three (3) or four (4) years the operating budget will be tight due to raises for employees and these dollars will be able to supplement and fill in at that time to allow for the budget to remain solvent and to provide for raises. Mayor Luecke noted that the rate that would be charged the average residential user for a 518 or 3/4 inch meter is one dollar and eighty -five cents ($1.85) per month. Depending on the size of the meter, that rate would be larger as the meter gets larger as there is a multiplying factor that is used. Most of the residential customers, almost thirty -five thousand (35,000), have 5/8 inch meters and another two thousand five hundred (2,500) to two thousand six hundred ( 2,600) have 3/4 inch meters. These are the primary ones that would be affected. Mayor Luecke advised that this bill will receive a cursory review by the IURC to make sure the formula has been arrived at properly. Councilmember Aranowski inquired if other cities have passed this cost off to consumers. Mayor Luecke noted that the City of Mishawaka has passed along this cost to the consumer and there are others throughout the State as well. Councilmember Ujdak noted that as requested at the committee meeting this afternoon, he would ask that at the end of the year the Council receive a reconciliation of the savings this brings to the City. Mayor Luecke noted that this information will be provided at that time. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council in favor of this bill. The following individual spoke in opposition to the bill: -5-