HomeMy WebLinkAboutStorm Water Utility Board Minutes 09-17-2020
Storm Water Utility Board Minutes 09-17-2020 Page 1 of 3
STORM WATER UTILITY APPEALS BOARD Minutes
September 17, 2020 7:30 am
Oshkosh City Hall, Room 404 (and via Webex)
Present: John Kiefer (call-in via Phone); Paul Janty (call-in via Phone @ 7:34), Kyle Clark
(call-in via Phone), Maureen Muldoon (call in via Phone)
Absent:
Also Present: Justin Gierach, Engineering Division Manager / City Engineer; Mike Wegner, Brown
and Caldwell; Jon Cameron, Ehlers (left @ 7:51)
I. Call to Order.
A. Mr. Kiefer called the meeting to order at 7:33.
II. Approval of March 12, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve March 12, 2020 minutes. (Mr. Clark / Mr. Kiefer). Approved 3-0.
III. Stormwater Utility Capital Improvement Plan Cash Flow Analysis by Ehlers, presented by Jon
Cameron with handouts.
A. Mr. Cameron gave an introduction on the topic. He provided a similar presentation in past years. It is
a scaled-back version of an August 2020 Common Council presentation of a full utility (sewer, water,
storm). This presentation is focused on the stormwater utility. A copy of the presentation was provided
with the agenda.
B. The analysis scope was to develop a 10-year financing plan for the utilities.
C. The presentation reviewed projected expenditures, requirements of bond covenants and reserve
requirements, projected revenues, a cash flow analysis, a project debt coverage analysis, and estimated
impacts on utility rates.
D. Mr. Cameron also provided insights in describing the information presented.
1. Historically, the stormwater utility cash reserve level has been close to the requirement of bond
covenants.
2. The project cash flow analysis shows a 7% rate increase for 2021. In future years, there are
reduced rate increases. Currently some years are projected to have no rate increase.
3. The analysis shows there is positive cash flow in the utility and a growing reserve. This will give
the opportunity for more cash funding of projects and a reduced debt burden.
4. The project stormwater rate increases range from $1.18 per month to $0.00 per month in future
years.
E. Mr. Janty asked if there will be a communications plan about reducing debt burden and increasing
debt payoff in future years. Mr. Gierach said that he would talk to Mr. Rabe to see if there have been
discussions at the Division Manager level and what communication approach the City is taking. All
committee members indicated, there have been various recent articles in newspapers that discuss
increasing rates in all utilities. The articles did not present the message that rate increases would level off
in the future.
F. Mr. Janty expressed that he would be in favor of moving closer to a 1.2 debt coverage ratio.
G. Mr. Clark asked about issues that could arise with moving closer to a 1.2 debt coverage ratio. Mr.
Cameron indicated one potential issue would be with the rating agency for the debt (Moody’s). The
coverage ratio is a large factor and could impact rating for future debt. This is something Ehlers and the
City considers as part of the financial planning process.
IV. Program and Project Updates (J. Gierach).
A. 2021 Storm Water related Capital Improvements Program
1. Design for 9th Avenue reconstruction west of Oakwood Road has begun.
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2. Other 2021 CIP projects have not started at this time.
B. 20-04 Snell
1. North Main Street portion of the project is complete and open to traffic.
2. Phase 1 of Snell Road (east of Main Street) paving is expected to be complete next week.
3. Phase 2 of Snell Road (west of Main street) utilities should be completed this week. Grading and
paving will then be starting next week.
C. 20-05 Oregon
1. Utility construction in Oregon Street is complete and paving is underway. Paving should be
finished in the next week and the road opened.
2. The 28th Avenue portion of the project should have utilities completed in the next two weeks with
paving to follow.
3. Pump station construction is on-going.
D. 20-08 Parkway Basin
1. No Update
E. 20-20 Mini Storm
1. Complete. City is working on final quantities with the contractor.
F. 20-15 Mini Storm #2 (includes completion of storm sewer for 2019 Ceape Ave Parking Lot)
1. Contract was bid and awarded. The contractor is working on their schedule and providing to the
City.
2. Mr. Janty asking about the completion date for the project. Mr. Gierach indicated contractor is
allowed to complete in Spring 2021 due to the September 2020 start. Final completion is expected
in late May / early June 2021.
V. Discuss election of officers
A. Mr. Kiefer asked what are the expectations of the City is for the committee in regards to this topic.
Mr. Geirach stated that the City would like to have official election of officers for all committees.
B. Mr. Clark moved to change the title of the agenda Item V. to read “Election of Officers.” Motion
seconded by Ms. Muldoon. (Approved 4-0)
C. The committee held discussion that the current officers are happy to remain in their roles. Other
members were also comfortable with the current officers and there were no objections.
D. Mr. Clark moved to propose that the current officer structure continue. Motion was seconded by Ms.
Muldoon. (Approved 4-0)
E. Ms. Muldoon asked if the City would change their public meeting requirements to allow virtual
participation in the future.
1. Mr. Gierach indicated that the Common Council has approved virtual participation for members,
staff, and public during the Covid-19 pandemic.
2. He further stated that the Common Council intends to review the subject after the pandemic is over.
He does not have information about the direction that will be taken at this time.
VI. Review Discussion of Future Meeting Agenda Items.
A. Discuss Sawyer Creek FEMA mapping update and flood storage districts.
1. Mr. Gierach stated that work is on-going, but there is no new information to provide at this time.
This item will be moved to an agenda topic when the project is further along.
B. List of CIP projects that have been funded but not completed.
1. Mr. Gierach indicated that Mr. Gabrilska has been working on reviewing data for this topic and an
update would be provided in the future.
C. Update on storm pipe CCTV work since the equipment was purchased.
1. Mr. Gierach stated Mr. Gabrilska has prepared information on this topic and an information update
was previously given to interested members. Mr. Janty indicated he would like that to be a formal
report to committee. The information will be reported as a future agenda item.
D. Mr. Kiefer asked about the status of the 2021 CIP. Mr. Gierach indicated the plan has been approved
as the City modified it’s planning schedule for the CIP. Financing behind the plan has not been approved.
Financing will be approved in November with the full City budget. Mr. Kiefer asked if the preliminary
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list previously sent to committee was approved. Mr. Gierach indicated he did not believe anything
changed, but would need to review to confirm. An update can be provided in the future.
E. Mr. Janty asked Mr. Kiefer about attendance at the next City committee chairperson meeting. Mr.
Keifer indicated he would plan to attend.
VII. Adjournment.
Motion to adjourn: Mr. Clark / Mr. Janty (Approved 4-0). Adjournment at 8:06 am.
Respectfully Submitted
Justin Gierach;
Engineering Division Manager / City Engineer