HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-08 Sewer Committee MinutesSewer Committee
Meeting Mimes
July 8, 1998
Crouches Attending: Nchi Farnham, tan Tyler
SUIT Attending: Jun Ring, Brad Moore
L Dlseumian -120 Day Limit for Abatements
Jun Ring Whined that staff put together a summary of how may abatemems had been received
beyond the 120 day limit There were 8 out ofatoW of250 since August 1995. The 120 day
Unit allows the customer to receive 2 bills and then another 30 days upon which to act
Councilor Tyler asked Bred if, when he assembled the irdbrrvation, were the abatements rejected
only because of the limit or were they a8 that came in after the time had Wired and they weren't
reviewed fm thew merits. Brad explained that these were written requests and did qualffy in Ns
judgement, if they had come at on time and he would have gone to the Committee with a
recommendationtoabate. Bend explained that there has also been requests over the phone goal
these individuals were told that if it is over 120 days, they shouldn't put in a written requear
Councilor Tyler asked ifstaff were able to characterize these as to whether they are individual
homeowners Bradexplained that the majority were landlords Brad feels that another part of
this is that the ordinance addresses due care. There has to be some balance as to where the City
draws the line at due care. Brad brought up another factor regarding the limit, which is people
being away. Of the iMormaticn gathered, one was an individual that was away in the South and
had another individual here paying the bills forthem. Should consideration be given to these
individuals that are away? Councilor Tyler fell that the individuals need to take responsibility for
then properties. Councilor Farnham asked if there were only 8 requests beyond the time Unit,
does there need to be a once limit at all? Jim Ring commented that there may be a lot more phone
calls and it isn't easy to tell how many may actually be received. Councilor Farnham asked if
there is a notice on the bill when something changes? Brad explained that at a JAM increase
there is a message on the bill that says bigh wvsumptiom Councilor Tyler felt that possibly
lowering that 100a/o to 50%may be an option so that it gets Bagged before the doubling. Brad
explained that that is a level that the Water District has set Councilor Tyler recommended that
this policy not be changed at this point th time. Councilor Farnham agreed that taking due care
into consideration the time limit is fair and recormaended that staff look mo flagging bills at 50%
increase instead of 100%.
2. CSQ Eancingomits Special L o of m UN
Maeda
Jim Ring updated the Committee on the pending legislation on the CSO partnership Act of 1998.
This act, which is sponsored by the CSO Partnership, would provide congressional approval of
the CSO Policy, would strongly encourage the EPA on a state by state basis for we wemheruses
of receiving waters so that programs are more closely tailored to what the real impacts are, and
lastly, to provide some federal funding. The CSO Percnership Board ofD'vectom discussed the
need m assess its membership to cover these legal costs in pushing this legislation forward. Then
rourmmendmion is a$3500 once time assessment specifically for the legislative efforts. Bangor is
in the 10,000.50,000 population category which indicates me $3500 is voluntary. Staff feels that
even though it is voluntary, they would as to support this. The question smffbas is how much?
If the nature amount is paid, it will say something about the City's commitment and leadership
position. Jim's suggestion is this Bangor make a among mmanmt in support of this, but that
suggests the amount be half of the tlat rune. The Committee suggested paying half ofthe $3500
with a clear letter outlining concerns and if the Partnership comes up abort, the City could
consider giving more.
3. Stuff Avtiv*tj
Jim updated the Comvdttm on aprevicusdiscussicnregardivg high nrengthwaste, Bred Moore
has spoken to the two businesses and explained that Corm's Dairy has looked into the process,
primarily the milk side of it, Ism have not seen any, significant changes with anything they've tried
up to this point There hasn't been much response from the Sea Dog. Staff is looking for
d"incomon fiom the Committee at this point. The Committee directed smfftc develop alternatives
for implementing a rate surcharge for high strength waste for tutors consideration by the
Committee. Businesses which could be potentially impacted will also be granted of discussion
relative to this issue.