HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-09 Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Infrastructure Committee
Minutes
February 9, 2016
ATTENDEES
Councilors:
Gibran Graham Joshua Plourde Sean Faircloth
Sarah Nichols Benjamin Sprague Joseph Baldacci
Staff:
John Theriault Catherine Conlow Dana Wardwell
Paul Nicklaus
Members of the Public:
1. Permit Policy- Organic Waste
(Memo Attached)
With the recent paper mill and bio-mass generation facilities closings, the market for wood chips is currently
very low. Historically Public Works has received brush from residents and non-residents including
commercial entities. We then have had a contractor chip this brush and pay us $3 per ton for the wood chips.
About 3 years ago there was a concern by some councilors that resident businesses that pay taxes should not
provide a free service for non-resident competitors. The ordinance was revised so non-residents pay $100 per
year for a permit to use the facility. Due to present market conditions the contractor has stated that they will
chip the existing brush pile at no charge. What money we will receive or have to pay to have the pile chipped
in the future is unknown.
So far in FY16 we have collected $2850 for non-resident permits for disposing of brush and yard waste
(leaves, grass clippings etc.). Most of the non-residents purchasing this permit are landscapers that dispose of
mostly leaves and grass clippings. We receive about $6,000 per year selling about 2000 tons of wood chips.
From my observations out my window it appears that a very high percentage of the brush comes from handful
commercial entities, the majority of which are non-residents. If market conditions do not improve and we
have to pay to have the chips removed it is likely that residents may have to pay to dispose of non-resident
brush. Staff recommends we cease selling permits for brush disposal to non-residents immediately.
Vote: Unanimous
2. Ordinance Amendment: Stormwater Utlity Billing
(Memo & Council Order Attached)
This Ordinance amendment would adjust and clarify several procedures related to stormwater billing.
The amendment would clarify that an approved stormwater credit would be applied beginning with the
previous complete billing cycle, and that any funds owed to the City by the property owner must be paid
before the credit is processed. The amendment would also give ratepayers 28 days to pay their stormwater
bill from the date the stormwater bill is sent, to match the period for paying sewer bills, and would clarify
that the fee is owed whether the bill is received or not, as is the case with taxes and sewer fees.
Vote: Vote: Unanimous
Meeting Adjourned.
1