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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-12 WSB MINUTESWATER AND SEWER BOARD MINUTES May 12 , 2009 The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. Members present: Members absent: Also present: Bums, Clark, Moore, Cassidy, Wiggins , Woodward , Habenicht, Higday, Oakley None Stewart Fonda, Director of Utilities John Bock, Utilities Administration Manager 1. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 14, 2009 MEETING. The Englewood Water and Sewer Board received a copy of the minutes of the April 14 , 2009 meeting and the phone vote of April 22 , 2009 approving the minutes. 2. GUEST: JANE JORDON -1020 E. BATES PKWY. M s. Jane Jordon of 1020 E. Bates Pkwy. appeared to appeal the existing s anitary sewer backup remediation policy. Ms. Jordon discussed her neighbor's sewer back up situation where a back up occurred at the time of the collection crew's sewer maintenance cleaning. She also requested that a policy be implemented where the surrounding residents are notified immediately of a sewer backup at the main . Mr. Fonda noted that because of security reasons , residents could be notified the following day business day, within 24 hours. Mr. Bock said that after a sewer back-up incident he could send a tech to surrounding residences and hang tags with a notification of the main back up. Response times by Bel for Restoration and City personnel were discussed . Ms . Jordon also discussed the fact that drywall cuts were not repaired after the clean-up. Mr. Bock noted that drywall cuts are made to allow a more thorough clean-up, to provide air circulation and to prevent mold . Mr. Fonda stated that the drywall cannot be left wet due to health risks. The Board discussed cleanup as opposed to restoration and monetary reimbursement limits. The Board recommended that an article be put in the Citizen or the Pipeline encouraging residents to make sure that they are insured sufficiently for such occurrences. Mr. Bock noted that an article will be appearing in the June Pipeline. Mr. Bock told Ms. Jordon that a check is forthcoming for a $50 reimbursement for the rug. Chairman Gray thanked Ms. Jordon for appearing before the Board and presenting her concerns. The Board will discuss the clean up as opposed to restoration policy in the case of a City main sewer back-up at a future meeting. 3. WAS TEW ATER MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT The purpose of the Wastewater Collection System Maintenance Agreement is to provide a uniform maintenance agreement for all sanitation districts for whom Englewood elects to provide these services. The proposed Wastewater System Maintenance Agreement states that Englewood will provide wastewater collection system maintenance in a designated sanitation district in exchange for an annual fee. Routine maintenance charges shall be divided among the customers in each sewer service area and included in their annual sewer billing. Englewood would also respond to requests to locate sewer mains in the collection system. The sanitation district conveys to Englewood a license, but not ownership, over the wastewater collections facilities. Englewood will provide routine and non-routine maintenance, repair and replacement services. Routine flushing and cleaning shall not exceed depths in excess of 1 O' and lengths longer than 1 O'. Non-routine repairs would include point repairs deeper and longer than 1 O', excessive ground water and excessive slope or vegetation. The City will annually clean and inspect all maintenance area lines, respond to all emergency calls and take corrective action, locate district lines and answer inquires concerning sanitary sewer service. Customers in the sanitation districts shall have additional fees added to their existing wastewater treatment bills to cover the cost of providing this maintenance service. The amount added for normal, routine flushing and maintenance services shall be at the same rate that Englewood charges for normal, routine flushing and cleaning within the Englewood Wastewater Collection area. The cost of nonroutine repairs shall be charged directly to and paid by the sanitation district as a separate item. This is an informational item only. The final version will be discussed at a future meeting. Chuck Habenicht excused himself at 6:00 p.m. 4. ECONOMIC STIMULUS MONEY. Mr. Fonda related experiences and results that other municipalities have had applying for the Economic Stimulus money. A general discussion ensued about the conditions of the Economic Stimulus Plan and municipalities that would benefit. Stu discussed ongoing City budget concerns and noted that a 5% reduction in the Utilities' budget would indefinitely delay capital projects. Mr. Woodward commented that delayed projects could cost more when constructed later. 5. DELINQUENT WATER BILL AT ENGLEWOOD POST OFFICES. Stu distributed a memo dated May 11 , 2009 regarding delinquent accounts at post offices located in the City of Englewood. The memo notes that both U.S. Postal Service facilities within the City of Englewood's water and sewer service area are far in arrears on their water and sewer bill payments. The Post Office at 3303 S. Broadway has made no payments since September 16 , 2008 and is $1,148.34 past due. The Post Office at 925 W. Lehigh Ave. has made no payments since May 9 , 2008 and is $1,609.05 past due. Their accounts payable division has issues with our bills in that they will not pay bills with service dates in advance (sewer, storm water and concrete are charged in advance) and they are claiming to be exempt from the concrete utility and storm water fees. It was noted to the Board that the Post Office in Centennial, which is also billed in advance for sewer, has paid on time. The City Attorney's office has responded to their issues stating that, according to Colorado law , both the stormwater and concrete fees are permissible, but they have the option of opting out of the concrete Utility Program. To date there has been no resolution. The Board directed John Bock to work with the City Attorney's office to send a final letter to the Postal Service, warning them of impending disconnection of water service. ' . The next Englewood Water and Sewer Board will be held Tuesday, June 9 , 2009 at 5:00 p.m. at the Community Development Conference Room. Respectfully submitted, Lori Faires Acting Recording Secretary