Sewer Board Meeting - January 19, 2006

MINUTES OF DIMONDALE/WINDSOR SEWER BOARD REGULAR MEETING January 19, 2006

7:01 p.m. Meeting called to order by Chairperson Chappell
Roll Call
Present: Blair, Chappell, McCabe, Reznick, Slucter (arrived at 7:03 p.m.)
Absent: none
Also Present: Mike Spitler, WWTP Operator; Denise Parisian, Village Manager; Art St. Clair, Township Supervisor; Don Heck, Wolverine Engineers; Betsy Kelly, Recording Secretary
Treasurer’s Report/Bills
Motion by Reznick, second Blair, to accept the treasurer’s report for January 19, 2006 as presented. Motion carried. Motion by Blair, second McCabe, to approve payment of $19,917.83 for January bills. Motion carried.
Minutes
Motion by McCabe, second Slucter, to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2005 regular meeting as written. Motion carried.
Open to the Public
No comments were received.
Old Business
1. Spitler provided a brief overview of the ongoing problems at the Lansing Road lift station and presented several methods to potentially remedy the cavitation situation. Discussion centered on the costs and viability of the following solutions: raising the water level in the wet well; purchasing a vacuum relief valve; and installation of an orifice plate.   Parisian explained that the manufacturer, Smith and Loveless, has no intention of assuming responsibility for the cavitation problem and therefore staff is preparing for maintenance issues and the possibility of a shortened life on this equipment. Parisian also noted that the lift station continues to operate well and does not send alarms. Discussion ensued regarding legal remedies and the inability to quantify the damages incurred. Spitler recommended raising the floats and monitoring the situation for 30 days as a first step and the members concurred.
2. Reznick suggested cancelling the January 20th Joint Sewer Planning Committee meeting due to the lack of new information. Motion by Blair, second Reznick, to cancel the January 20th meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Slucter reported that his preliminary research regarding sewer expansions has revealed the current method employed by the Dimondale / Windsor group is highly unusual and suggested that an alternate method should be created with the help of legal counsel and other consultants. Slucter stated that he has registered a question on the list serve at the Township Association and will report back if any information is forwarded. Parisian stated that Tom Traciak would be willing to attend a meeting that included representatives from both municipalities and legal counsel to consider a different method for financing expansion.
New Business
1. Parisian introduced a request from Dan Stowell and Sarah Gamet for temporary suspension of sewer usage charges at 116 S. Bridge Street. Stowell explained that they have not had a working well at this location since taking possession on November 9, 2005. Gamet stated that a new well and plumbing should be functional by the end of February and requested that the sewer charges be waived until then. Discussion followed regarding similar previous requests from other property owners. Motion by Slucter, second McCabe, to waive sewer usage charges at 116 S. Bridge Street from December 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Chappell presented a request from Glenn Harr to continue monthly billing for the Bridge Street Pub located at 117 S. Bridge St. Harr explained that the change to quarterly billing has caused some cash flow issues and questioned whether he could revert to monthly billings. Chappell explained that a temporary request could be granted to help ease the financial burden of the quarterly assessment, but that the switch could not be allowed permanently. Discussion followed regarding previous requests and the ability to adjust to the billing cycle within a reasonable transition period. Parisian stated that the office has been working with all customers to facilitate the adjustment and explained that the commercial accounts are hardest hit due to the billing of multiple RE’s. Chappell suggested that two quarters should be a sufficient time frame to adjust cash flows. Motion by Slucter, second Blair, to accept monthly payments from the Bridge Street Pub without the imposition of late fees until the June billing cycle. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Parisian provided an in-depth overview of the proposed budget for 2006-07 noting that the rate study indicated the need for a rate increase of $2.00 per RE in order to begin funding the much needed equipment replacement fund. Motion by Slucter, second Reznick, to forward the proposed 2006-07 Sewer Fund Budget and the proposed rate increase as presented, on to the Village Council and Township Board with a recommendation for approval. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Reznick, second McCabe, to adjourn. Motion carried at 8:44 p.m.