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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20181015 UC Minutes UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES October 15, 2018 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 October 15, 2018, at 5:36 p.m. in the Upper Conference Room, City Hall, 2875 145th Street West, Rosemount. Commissioner Demuth called meeting to order with Commissioners Cahn and Nelson, Public Works Director/City Engineer Erickson, Public Works Coordinator Watson, and Recording Secretary Barikmo. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA None AUDIENCE INPUT APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Nelson Second by Cahn Motion to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2018 Utility Commission meeting. Correcting typo on third page, 5th bullet point. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS OLD BUSINESS 6.a. Comprehensive Plan Update Erickson gave update on comprehensive plans. The water, sewer and storm plans are in progress. The comprehensive plan portion is going to City Council on October 16, 2018. Drafts of the comprehensive plans were given to Demuth and Cahn. Barikmo and Erickson get Commissioner Nelson copies of the drafts as well. Sewer Comprehensive Plan Update Erickson pointed out on the sewer comprehensive plan, the Opus site is approximately 160 acres. The property had a lift station at one point. According to an ongoing analysis, it will not need a lift station. It will all be able to flow by gravity. Sanitary Comprehensive Plan Update Staff is looking at the land use change for Umore Park. Water Comprehensive Plan Update Erickson explained that it focuses on the timing of the next production well. Staff is also looking at having the service expand. There are two pressure zones. The east pressure zone is roughly half to ¾ mile east of Akron Avenue. The other pressure zone is on the western half of the city. The Newland Homes development, west of DCTC, has a purchase agreement with about 435 acres. Once drafts are completed, there is a 6-month review process and a 60-day reply period following. The comprehensive plan was originally due at the end of 2018. There was an extension requested. The final comprehensive plan should be completed by August 2019. 6.b. Water and Sewer Rate Model Updates Erickson explained that the models were discussed at the last Council Work Session. Erickson summarized the questions asked by council, “What’s the ultimate goal of changing the policy and removing the fixed rates?” In August and September 2018, staff proposed taking the fixed charge off of the sewer and water rates because the fixed rates are not covering fixed costs for sewer or water. These results supported switching to strictly a usage model. There are two exceptions for water under fixed charges, the meter maintenance fee and the water surcharge. Staff would recommend not to remove those charges. At the recent Council Work Session, Council brought up the water treatment plant. Council thought that changing the models was a way to make sure that there would be enough funding for a water treatment facility in 2022 or later. Erickson explained that it was not the reason for phasing out the fixed rates. The Utility Commission discussed going to Council Work Session to have an open discussion with City Council about what they represent and what their thoughts were on the rates. Demuth explained that the Met Council completed a rate study of the metro. Demuth would like Commissioners Nelson and Cahn to review the document before the next Utility Commission meeting on November 19, 2018. Watson explained that the phase-out rates are currently red-lined into the fee schedule. The fee schedule gets approved by Council in December. Erickson stated that there are the phase-out rates and the standard rates. Both are ready for whichever Council approves. If Council does not approve the phase-out model, the standards rates will be red-lined in. Erickson met with City Administrator Martin and discussed that if the phase-out rates are not approved this year, it will be proposed again in 2020. Demuth requested to see the item that was presented to Council at the most recent meeting. Watson expressed that she would like to see the rates go to another work session to focus only on the rates, not the water treatment facility. The Utility Commission reviewed the item that was last presented to Council on October 2, 2018. Commissioners and Erickson discussed the goals for switching to the phase-out models: 1. Reduced overall utility bill for low and average users 2. Greater transparency in our billing methods, with easier-to-understand utility bills 3. Greater opportunity for individuals to lower their utility costs through conservation 4. Shifts the proportion of costs to the highest users who are putting the greatest strain on the system 5. No negative impact to the overall “bottom line” balance in the Water Utility or Sewer Utility funds Motion by Cahn Second by Demuth Motion to recommend City Council approval of the phased-out fixed rate models for water and sewer. Motion Carried. NEW BUSINESS 7.a. Water Efficiency Rebates Public Works Secretary Barikmo provided an update to the Utility Commission about the Water Efficiency – Irrigation Controller Rebates. From July 1, 2018 to September 26, 2018, the city processed rebates for 31 installed devices, totaling $2,736.90. There is currently about $5,200 left in the rebate funds. Watson said that the rebates get the strongest response when they are included in the utility bill inserts. Watson also recommended putting it on Facebook, Twitter, the City’s website, and newsletter. Demuth would like this item to be an ongoing agenda item to revisit ideas on how to publicize more for spring. Demuth also would like to have a watering restrictions item for next meeting. She would like to propose an addition to the city code that you cannot irrigate your lawn during wet conditions. Commissioner Nelson would also like code enforcement to start enforcing city code with fines. 7.b. Water Consumption in City Facilities Watson completed analysis on the city’s irrigation and recreational water use over that past 10 years. Watson explained that it may appear the city’s water usage increased significantly, she wanted to point out that there has been a lot of additions in the past 10 years such as, Flint Hills, Steeple Center, and the Splash Pad. Demuth wants Public Works staff to work with the Parks and Recreation Department to help design and program irrigation zones at future parks in order to achieve more efficient watering. She noticed that some sprinkler heads were watering parking lots. Soils types should also be taken into account when programing the irrigation controllers. Watson acknowledged that the sprinkler zones most likely cannot be broken down to the exact field lines. Open spaces will be irrigated by default due to the placement of the sprinkler head. Watson relayed a message from the Park & Recreation Director, Dan Schultz. The citizens have come to expect the standard of the athletic fields. The athletic groups that use the fields have complimented the quality of Rosemount’s fields. The Parks and Recreation Department will not agree to watering the athletic fields less. The Commissioners and staff discussed Innisfree Park and turning it into a natural/prairie area. There are no athletic fields at Innisfree Park and there are no future plans for any. Turning it into a natural/prairie area would eliminate irrigation and mowing/staff time. No final decision was made. Demuth would like Erickson to make a recommendation to Kurt Hadler, Public Works employee, to look for opportunities to reduce irrigation. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 8.a. City Projects Update Erickson gave an overview of some of the ongoing projects within the city. o Meadow Ridge Development – 150 homes will be platted off of Akron Ave. Akron Ave will be repaved. 8.b. Set Next Meeting Agenda for November 19, 2018 OTHER UPDATES ADJOURNMENT Demuth adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jessie Barikmo Public Works Secretary