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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-19 Sewer Committee Minutes Ad Hoc Committee on Sewer Systems � r :-> Minutes of the December 19� 1994 Meetin.g of the Ad Hoc Sewer Commi..ttee � Committee Members Present: Cauncilors Frankel {Chair) , Baldacci, Popper Council Memhers Present: Ty1er Staff Present: Ed Barrett, Jim Ring, Bruce �hibles, Ra1ph Mishou, John Murphy, Brad Moore, Al Jellison Meeting s�arted a�. 6 : 05 p.m. 1 . Comnost Facility Utpdate Commit�ee was presented with the results of staff discussion� with representatives af the DEP and EPA cancernzng compost facility permitting and grant parameters respecti.vely. Pra.znary question remaa.ns -- I� constructic�n af a compost facility, util.iai.ng a 55� federal grant, the ma�t ecanomical long-term optian to address the City' s sludge disposal needs? Staff reviewed some o� the fi.ndings of the CH2M-Hiil Sludge Disposal Options Study. Tt was noted that capital costs used in the study were prabably high anci tha� the current contract disposal � pri.ce is lower than the one u�ed in the study. Staff have a�ked CH2M-H5.11 far mare information, and at the same time staff are conducting fur�Gher analysis of the impact on sewer rates should the City decide ta con�truct a facility. The Committee was informed that preliminary �ite invest�.gation is ongoing because of the need to act quickly in light of the gran�G requiremen�s and DEP perma.tting procedures _ (including possible r�gulatory change� that would involve more = stringent requirements with passible added cqsts to the facility) . - The Committee was briefed on �.he need for Council orders  author.izing application far the EPA grant, acceptance of the EPA grant and designating the source of the local share for the project, a31 0� whzch will need ta be accompl.ished prior to submitting the gran� paperwork to the EPA for approval . Once the results of the financial analysi.s are complete, the Committee requested that staff return with recommendations for full Council action. Staff was also asked to coritinue studying all avenues for the economical di�posal of sludge generated by the treatment plant. 2. Qvervi�w of Stormwater Ut.ilitv A preliminary discussion, in preparation for the full � Council workshop an the 2Sst, was held cancerning the poten�Gial estab].ishm�nt of a separa�e starmwater utility fax the City. The � . _ . ' _2_ � potential benefits of such a utility would be a more equitable allocation of the costs of treating stormwater flows within the City' s sewer system. Councilor Popper asked a number of questions concerning the details of such a utility, which properties would be most affected, potential impacts on rates, and the differences between phased implementation or instan�aneous implementation. Councilor Tyler noted that cost of service is the only equitable way to set rates . It was noted by staff that the current sewer rates assume that every user contributes equally to stormwater flow, but the reality is that properties with large impervious surfaces (parking lots, roofs, etc. ) contribute much more stormwater to the system than do single family residential properties . Any stormwater utility would likely be based on an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) . The ERU would result in a charge based on the cost to treat stormwater flowing from a typical single family residence. Charges for other properties would be tied to the number of ERUs for those properties . Most residential users, and high water use/low impervious surface commercial users would likely see their overall bill for sewer-related services decreased. Incentives would be built into the system aimed at reducing stormwater flows to the system. � The Committee was receptive to exploring this avenue in more detail . More discussions are likely after the Workshop and they agreed that public hearings and other public information avenues should be utilized extensively if a stormwater utility is to be implemented. 3. Executive Session vote to go in at approximately 6 :55 p.m. ; vote to go out at approximately 7 : 15 p.m. Discussions of status and legal issues of interlocal agreement negotiations with Hampden and Hermon. �