MINUTES OF DIMONDALE/WINDSOR SEWER BOARD REGULAR MEETING
September 21, 2006
7:02 p.m. Meeting called to order by Chairperson Chappell
Roll Call
Present: Blair, Chappell, McCabe, Reznick
Absent: Slucter (excused)
Also Present: Denise Parisian, Village Manager; Mike Spitler, WWTP
Operator; Art St. Clair, Township Supervisor; Matt Steinberg, Ball
Grease Trap Service Inc.; Betsy Kelly, Recording Secretary
Chappell spoke regarding a higher standard of professionalism from
Board members when engaging in discussion and a more formal approach to
running the Sewer Board meetings from a Parliamentary Procedure
perspective by the Chairperson.
Treasurer’s Report/Bills
Motion by Reznick, second McCabe, to accept the treasurer’s report for
September 21, 2006 as presented. Motion carried. Motion by
Reznick, second Blair, to approve payment of $22,389.75 for September
21, 2006 bills. Motion carried. Parisian provided copies of
the quarterly reports and the 2005-06 audit for member review.
Minutes
Motion by Reznick, second McCabe, to approve the minutes of the August
17, 2006 regular meeting as written. Motion carried.
Open to the Public
No comments were received.
Old Business
No old business was presented.
New Business
1. Parisian presented a proposal from Matt Steinberg, Ball Grease
Trap Service Inc., to construct a pole building and install new
dewatering equipment on the leased land at 9384 Walnut Hwy.
Parisian explained that the structure and machinery will be owned by
Steinberg and will provide an upgrade to the facility. After
members viewed a short video describing the new equipment and process,
Steinberg answered questions regarding utility costs, the benefits of
the process change and effluent quality. Spitler verified that
there will be no changes to current operations otherwise.
Parisian stated that the discharge is anticipated to be equivalent to
or better than what is currently generated and she does not feel any
amendments to the contract are necessary. Motion by Reznick,
second Blair, to allow Ball Grease Trap Service to proceed with the
building and equipment upgrade project as presented. Motion
carried.
2. Spitler provided members with information on the current
operational and financial condition of the Wastewater Treatment
Plant. He explained that the plant is utilizing approximately 20%
of the total capacity and at the historical rate of growth will not
reach build-out until 2082. Spitler stated that user fees keep
the plant operational for current as well as future users and that even
recent rate increases have not built up sufficient funds to cover a
large equipment repair or replacement. To demonstrate his point,
Spitler described the operational issues with the UV channel, auto
rake, headworks and pump station 950 that could result in costly
repairs in the future. Spitler explained that an analysis of
engineered capacity versus actual gallons treated at the plant
demonstrates that there are approximately 2000 extra REUs that could be
utilized to the benefit of the plant and its customers. Parisian
stated that the lack of capital reserves poses a potential liability
for the Township and Village if a large component fails and that it is
time to affect a change in policy. Parisian presented the
following suggestions from staff to increase the fund balance and
increase reserves: institute a ready to serve charge for all REUs not
connected to the system and to allow the WWTP to manage the capacity by
allowing new REUs to be purchased directly from the plant.
Parisian explained that both practices are accepted operating standards
for other facilities and are feasible mechanisms to build up specific
capital for future repairs, replacements and expansions.
Discussion followed regarding verification of extra capacity and
obtaining input from financial consultants and attorneys. McCabe
stated that policies for the transfer of REUs will still be necessary
because there are certain properties in the Township that own capacity
which cannot be developed. Reznick agreed that these situations
should be addressed. Blair explained that the Township attorney
should have an opinion ready for the next meeting and that he would
like to obtain that information as well as input on the legality of
imposing a ready to serve charge on existing REUs. Members agreed
that if the opinion was ready before the next regularly scheduled
meeting of the Sewer Board, that a special meeting might be called to
discuss the issue.
3. Parisian requested clarification on the status of the McCabe
proposal. McCabe stated that the 451 permit and a copy of the
engineered plans are ready for review by the Sewer Board and submission
to the State. Parisian questioned the number of REUs involved and
the impact on the system. McCabe noted that Wolverine Engineers
provided the following input regarding the transfer of the seven REUs
in question: the current pipe is sized correctly and the existing
manholes and pump station will sufficiently handle the proposed
flow. Discussion followed regarding the original parcel the seven
REUs were assessed to; adding these REUs to an existing district or
creating a new district or service area; and the time frame for
creating an RE transfer process. Parisian suggested using the
McCabe proposal as a test case for establishing an REU transfer process
so that perhaps the project could move along in conjunction with the
adoption of administrative procedures. Parisian also suggested
using the Garrett County examples as an outline for moving
forward. McCabe requested that the 451 be sent to Wolverine
Engineers for review. Parisian stated that no guarantee should be
implied from this action or discussion and reiterated that this request
for expansion is outside of the current agreement for service between
the Village and the Township and requires approval from both
units. She continued that the Village representatives and staff
feel it is essential at this time to address the lack of an established
process for expansion and the transfer of REUs, the lack of
communication between the jurisdictions, the lack of a plan for the
future and the funding issues resulting from past policies.
Motion by Reznick, second Blair to allow McCabe to submit the 451 to
Wolverine Engineers for review with the understanding that it cannot be
sent to the State. McCabe requested a voting abstention on the
issue. Motion by Reznick, second Blair, to grant the voting
abstention. Motion carried. The initial motion to send the
451 to Wolverine Engineers for review was offered by Reznick and
supported by Blair. Motion carried.
Motion by Reznick, second McCabe, to adjourn. Motion carried at
9:37 p.m.