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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4. Utility Commission Minutes November 18, 2013 UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES November 18, 2013 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the regular Utility Commission meeting of the City of Rosemount was called to order on November 18,2013 at 5:35 p.m. in the Conference Room of the City Hall,2875 145th Street West,Rosemount. President Harmsen called the meeting to order with Commissioner Speich, City Administrator Johnson, Executive Director Brotzler,Bill Alms of WSB &Associates, and Recording Secretary Kladar attending. Commissioner Mulhern arrived at 5:45 p.m. Commissioner Speich left at 6:00 p.m. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA The motion requesting recommendation to City Council to authorize submittal of the MS4 SWPPP Application for Reauthorization was added to the Agenda as item 6d. In addition, Item 6a regarding the Verizon Tower Lease was moved to be heard after items 6b and 6c. AUDIENCE INPUT None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Harmsen Second by Speich. Motion to approve the minutes of the September 9,2013 Utility Commission meeting. Ayes: 2 Nays: 0. Absent: 1. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS 6b. Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Water Assessments Policy Update Executive Director Brotzler provided a summary of the staff report which outlines proposed modifications to the Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Water Assessments Policy. Mr. Brotzler advised the Commissioners that this policy was reviewed by Council at the recent work session. In this case, there would be a percentage of fees collected up front but the full balance wouldn't be due until the residents subdivide and the homeowners have sewer and water available to them. The City will apply an area charge and calculate a per lot charge to the two lots and the 1 balance will be due upon further subdivision. The Commissioners have no concerns. This revised policy will give City Council some discretion to make a determination on fees on a case by case basis as this situation was fairly unique. Motion by Speich. Second by Harmsen. Motion to recommend to City Council approval of the Revised Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Water Assessments Policy. Ayes: 2 Nays: 0. Absent: 1. Motion carried. 6c. MDH Source Water Protection Grant Agreement Executive Director Brotzler provided a summary of the staff report outlining the MDH Source Water Protection Grant Agreement which will fund the location and status determination of Wells 4 and 5. Mr. Brotzler advised the Commissioners that this is the second time the City has received this grant. The $10,000 grant is to be used to offset the cost to locate and determine the status of former City wells 4 and 5 which were abandoned but do not have MDH sealing records. The Commissioners have no concerns. Motion by Harmsen. Second by Speich. Motion to recommend City Council authorize the approval and execution of the MDH Source Water Protection Grant Agreement. Ayes: 2 Nays: 0. Absent: 1. Motion carried. 6a. Tower Lease Agreement Executive Director Brotzler provided a summary of the staff report which outlines a Tower Agreement with Verizon for new cellular equipment on Connemara Water Tower. Mr. Brotzler advised that this is a proposed new agreement with Verizon Wireless and there have been lengthy negotiations with Verizon. One of the issues has been the annual rate increase which is typically 5%but has been reduced to an agreed upon rate of 3%. Commissioner Mulhern has some concerns about the wording of the Lease Agreement. Discussion ensued about language in the lease regarding access, subleasing, termination, escrow payments, management contact information and insurance. Mr. Brotzler will bring the items discussed to the attention of the City's Attorney for review and the lease will be brought before City Council for approval. Motion by Mulhern. Second by Harmsen. 2 Motion to recommend to City Council to approve the Tower Agreement with Verizon for cellular equipment on the Connemara Water Tower contingent upon Mr. Brotzler's discussion of their comments with the City's Attorney. Ayes: 2 Nays: 0. Absent: 1. Motion carried. 6d. Consider MS4 SWPPP Application for Reauthorization Executive Director Brotzler provided a summary of the staff report which contained the draft MS4 SWPPP Application for Reauthorization that is due December 2013, 150 days from the permit reissuance date of August 1, 2013. Bill Alms of WSB &Associates provided an overview of the draft application. Mr.Alms advised that there were a few minor updates for this year and Rosemount has the majority of the procedures already in place. There is no longer an annual meeting requirement. Instead, the City now only needs to provide one opportunity for public comment. Mr.Alms recommended doing this in the spring by having an open forum for public comments at a Utility Commission hearing. Mr.Alms further noted that there will be staff training required and the training program should be specific to the individual's job. Mr. Alms further explained that if the Utility Commission approves this matter it will go to Council on December 3 for approval and submission before the deadline expires. Once the application is submitted the PCA will review. Normally if the PCA doesn't have any issues there won't be any public comments. At that point the City will then be ready to do the work to meet the requirements. City will have 12 months to meet any new requirements of the permit. Mr. Brotzler advised that Rich Lonnquist administers this program in the City. Motion by Harmsen. Second by Mulhern. Motion to recommend the City Council authorize the submission of the MS4 SWPPP Application for Reauthorization. Ayes: 2 Nays: 0. Absent: 1. Motion carried. PRESIDENT'S REPORT President Harmsen did not have anything new to report. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT 8a. City Projects Update The attached report was reviewed. 8b. 2013 Well Pumping Report The attached report was reviewed and it was noted that pumping still down for 2013. 3 8c. Set Next Meeting Agenda for December 9, 2013 Currently there are no items anticipated for a December meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned by Harmsen at 6:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karin Kladar Recording Secretary 4