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UTILITIES 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.