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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes STORM WATER UTILITY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 2, 2016 Present: John Kiefer, Paul Janty, Sean Butler; Kyle Clark Absent: Maureen Muldoon; Mr. Clark excused at 7:50 am. Also Present: James Rabe, Director of Public Works; John Ferris, Civil Engineering Supervisor - Storm Water Utility; Jim Bachhuber, Brown and Caldwell I.Call to Order. A.Mr. Kiefer called the meeting to order at 7:35 am. II.Discussion of Future Meeting Dates and Times. A.Future meeting dates are scheduled for, July 14, and August 18, at 7:30 am in Room 404 of City Hall. III.Approval of April 21, 2016 Meeting Minutes. A.Mr. Clark pointed out there was an item under Section VIII with no subject. Mr. Ferris stated that the item number was inadvertently left in, and there are only two items under this section. Mr. Clark also mentioned a punctuation error at the end of Section VII. Mr. Clark moved seconded by Mr. Butler for approval of the February 18, 2016 meeting minutes. Approved (4-0 ) IV.Update on Municipal Flood Control Grant Application. A.Mr. Ferris summarized that the City submitted aMunicipal Flood Control Grant application for $380,000 (maximum allowed) to assist in funding the North Main Street Basin - Libbey/Nicolet Watershed. Mr. Rabe stated that the City should know the results of the application by the fall. V.Summary of Past Non-capital Budget Items. A.Mr. Ferris referred to the summary budget Mr. Ferris pointed out that the first three budget items on the table saw a net decrease of approximately $50,000over the analyzed period. Increases in the budget were associated with Operations & Maintenance, and the Interest Expense line items. O&M increases associated with depreciation of assets and equipment. B.Mr. Clark asked what equipment is associated with the SW Utility. Mr. Rabe replied the street sweepers, lawn mowers, and vac-trucks are the major equipment items. C.Mr. Butler asked what assets are depreciated. Mr. Ferris replied the storm sewers and ponds are depreciated. D.Mr. Janty requested that the table provide more detail and be updated to include the 2015 actual expenses. Mr. Janty stated his concern was that the SW Utility has $8 in debt payment for every $1 annual revenue. E.Mr. Rabe commented that the SW Utility bonding is revenue bonds, not general obligation bonds. F.Mr. Butler asked that the O&M expenditures be broken down to show more detail. Mr. Butler stated that depreciation is not commonly included in O&M since it is not a cash outflow. Storm Water Utility Committee Minutes 06-2-2016 Page 1 of 3 G.Mr. Janty asked who has authority to spend the SW Utility funds. Mr. Rabe replied the authority for expenditures depends on the item to be purchased. H.Mr. Gohde stated that signature authority for expenses is as follows: 1.Up to $5,000 can be approved by John Ferris, Steve Gohde, or James Rabe. 2.$5,000 - $25,000 can be approved by Mr. Rohloff. 3.$25,000 - $75,000 requires approval from Mr. Rohloff with a report to Council. 4.Expenditures greater than $75,000 is by Council resolution. I.Mr. Butler asked that the breakout should show contractual costs. J.Mr. Kiefer asked for details on annual revenue from all sources. K.Mr. Rabe stated that changes to the O&M budget is not within the authority of the SW Utility Committee (or any Committee). This authority rests with the Common Council. VI.Update on 2016 Citizen Survey Results. A.Mr. Ferris referred to the chart from the annual Citizen Survey conducted by UW Oshkosh. B.Mr. Rabe commented that the graph is based on the results from respondents who had an ). C.Mr. Janty asked if there is an area of the City most in need of improved stormwater management. Mr. Rabe commented that the South Park area is the current priority location in need of improvements. D.Mr. Kiefer asked if the existing ponds in the park are being dredged or expanded. Mr. Rabe capabilities will be expanded. th E.Mr. Gohde also explained that improvements along 20 Avenue are reducing the amount of th surface flow from 20 Avenue to the South Park watershed during intense rains. F.Mr. Rabe summarized the South Park pond improvements from a draft plan (presented on a screen). G.Mr. Kiefer asked what percent of the South Park improvement costs are from the SW Utility versus the Parks Department. Mr. Rabe stated that the SW Utility is paying most of the costs for the basic pond improvements. The Parks Department is paying for the aesthetic improvements. VII.Update on Up Coming Projects. A.Mr. Ferris summarized pending projects: 1.South Park (already discussed). 2.Libbey-Nicolet Area Detention Basin: This site will be a source of clay for the North Main - Fernau Watershed Basin (which will be constructed in 2016). The Libbey-Nicolet Area Detention Basin is planned for inclusion in the 2018 CIP. 3.Fernau Area Detention Basin: This project will start construction in June 2016. The contractor is conducting a pre-project assessment properties at this time. 4.Wetland Banking: Mr. Ferris explained the cost of permitting for stormwater projects and other development projects has been substantial. When wetlands are encountered on a project the City has three (3) options allow the project to move forward: 1) build new compensatory wetlands, 2) purchase wetland mitigation credits from an existing wetlands bank(if available); or 3 of to DNR Wetland Conservation Trust The City has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Neenah to investigate the potential of for future City projects in both communities to reduce the cost to the City taxpayers. Storm Water Utility Committee Minutes 06-2-2016 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Kiefer asked if credits could be sold to others? Mr. Rabe replied that this issue, along with many other policies, need to be worked out. The priority for Oshkosh would be to allow City projects (Public Works) and projects helping economic development. In the future, costs of managing the bank could be shared with other partners (such as Winnebago County, Ducks Unlimited, etc.) VIII.Discussion of Future Meeting Agenda Items. A.The identified topics for a future agendas are: i.Continue discussion on non-capital SW Utility budget ii.TMDL update iii.2017 CIP Program. iv.Other project updates IX.Adjournment. There being no other business before the committee, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Mr. Butler/Mr. Janty), the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 a.m. Respectfully Submitted John Ferris, PE, PH Civil Engineer Supervisor Storm Water Utility Storm Water Utility Committee Minutes 06-2-2016 Page 3 of 3