HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes
STORM WATER UTILITY COMMITTEE Minutes
October 18, 2018
Present: Sean Butler, John Kiefer, Paul Janty, and Maureen Muldoon, Kyle Clark
(arrived 7:35)
Absent:
Also Present: Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works; John Ferris, Civil Engineer
Supervisor; Jim Bachhuber, Brown and Caldwell
I.Call to Order.
A. Mr. Kiefer called the meeting to order at 7:33 am.
II. Approval of September 20, 2018 Meeting Minutes.
Mr. Butler mentioned grammar correction under III F. Move approval by Ms. Muldoon.
Seconded by Mr. Butler (Approved (4-0).
III. Program Updates.
Mr. Ferris summarized the following:
A. 18-14 Oshkosh Ave. Redevelopment: pavement of Westfield scheduled for next week
weather permitting.
B. 18-02 Libbey Nicolet Basin: Utility work in Jackson complete. Utility work in North Main
started. Project has experienced some rain delays.
C. USGS Phosphorus Leaf Study: The study is underway. Volunteers are walking the test areas
on Monday and Wednesday on an electronic
form. A city staff person is covering Friday for now. Observers estimating leaf mass based
on USGS categories (5 categories of leaf mass which relate to phosphorus load per foot of
curb). Five rain events have been monitored as of last week. Mr. Kiefer asked if the
homeowners are expected to do anything different this year. Mr. Ferris stated that this year is
the base conditions monitoring. Thus, no change in property owner or city procedures. Next
year one of the test sites not have leaves removed from the terrace until Thanksgiving. Mr.
Kiefer asked if neighbors are informed of the plans for next year. Mr. Ferris replied that so
far, the neighbors are cooperative and interested in the project. The City has communicated
through two
D. Prairie Treatment System is completed at Coughlin Center. The soil and plants will be added
next spring by the County
IV. Update on Status of Storm Water Utility Budget.
A. Mr. Ferris provided a slide of the Storm Water Operations budget summary. He stated that
the proposed 2019 Operations Budget is about a 7% increase over 2018. Mr. Janty asked if
the potential vehicle registration fee, currently
Finance Committee, is proposed to affect the stormwater utility budget. Mr. Gohde replied
that the vehicle registration fee is not proposed to impact storm water costs. The fee is
proposed to only affect the property owner assessment for the street construction portion of
the projects, and only the streets portion of those costs. The vehicle registration fee is still
under discussion, and no decision by the City has been made at this time.
Storm Water Utility Committee Minutes 10-18-2018 Page 1 of 2
B. Mr. Kiefer asked if the Storm Water Fees revenue increase between 2018 and 2019 are due
to rate increases, increase in ERUs, or both. Mr. Ferris replied that the revenue increase is in
line with the projected rate increases. Mr. Janty asked for a more complete Storm Water
Utility budget to include debt retirement and a better explanation of the rate impacts. Mr.
Gohde suggested that the full draft operating budget should be provided to the Committee.
Mr. Gohde showed the current full ebsite and directed the Committee
as to how to find this information.
C. Mr. Kiefer recognized that the Storm Water Committee does not have the authority to
formally approve the storm water utility budget. Mr. Gohde acknowledged this clarification,
however t
comments on budget directions.
D. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects were also summarized by Mr. Ferris. There are
six projects currently identified, however this list may change depending of decisions by the
Council.
V. Review Infrastructure Improvements of the Storm Water Utility.
A. Mr. Ferris presented an overview of projects conducted since 2008 in a slide format. Mr.
Ferris asked the Committee for their feedback on how best to get this information to the
what period of time is being covered. Mr. Clark suggested that the public will not have a lot
of interest in the studies that were conducted. Mr. Clark stated that the public will be more
interested in the actual projects. Mr. Gohde replied that the communications will be
reviewed by Emily Springstroh (Communications Coordinator) to format the messages for
the audience.
B. Mr. Clark suggested could be summarized as: 1) be
responsible with assets; 2) reduce flooding; 3) improve water quality.
C. Ms. Muldoon requested that Ms. Springstroh come to a future Committee meeting to discuss
media approaches.
VI. Review Discussion of Future Meeting Agenda Items.
A. The November and December meetings will be held at the DPW building (639 Witzel
Avenue)
B. Review and discuss the City ordinance creating the Storm Water Utility Committee
C. Continued update on storm water operations and CIP budget for 2019
D. Meeting with Emily Springstroh (Communications Coordinator)
VII. Adjournment.
A. Mr. Butler moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Clark. Motion was passed (5-0), meeting
adjourned at 9:00 am.
Respectfully Submitted
John Ferris, PE,
Civil Engineer Supervisor
Storm Water Utility Committee Minutes 10-18-2018 Page 2 of 2