UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee Meeting was held on April 24, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. with Chairman Carey presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Sadusky, Mr. Cregar and Mr. Snaman. Members of Council present were Mr. Slavin, Mr. Ritter (arrived at 6:07 p.m.) and Mr. Salters (arrived at 6:07 p.m.). Mayor Speed was also present (arrived at 5:51 p.m.).
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Cregar moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Annexation Request - Property Located at 1600 North Little Creek Road, Owned by Christopher J. And Rebecca R. Raubacher
Members were provided the Petition to Annex and Zone Property for property located at 1600 North Little Creek Road, consisting of 2.124+/- acres, owned by Christopher J. and Rebecca R. Raubacher.
Staff assured members that the City is capable of providing utilities to the parcel, explaining that the cost-revenue analysis showed a positive cash flow to the City in the amount of approximately $3,134 over ten (10) years. Staff recommended annexation of the property.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Koenig explained that the lands are identified for annexation and designated as residential in the Comprehensive Plan; however, the plan text allows analysis of surrounding land uses in determining zoning designation regardless of the map designation. The zoning classification will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and a recommendation submitted to Council for their consideration after the public hearing.
Mr. Cregar moved to recommend adoption of a resolution setting the annexation referendum for property located at 1600 North Little Creek Road, consisting of 2.124+/- Acres, owned by Christopher J. and Rebecca R. Raubacher (Attachment #1). The motion was seconded by Mr. Snaman and carried with Mr. Ruane voting no. (City Clerk’s Office Note: Due to time constraints, the adoption of this Resolution will be considered by City Council during their Regular Meeting held later in the evening).
Bayard Avenue Water Main Project - Time and Cost Estimate
During a Special Utility Committee Meeting on April 10, 2006, members reviewed a request for budget increases for Division Street and Bayard Avenue Water Main Projects. The committee recommended and Council approved, during a meeting held later that same evening, that staff confirm time and cost estimates for the Bayard Avenue Project and bring to Council in two (2) weeks.
Mr. DePrima explained that after meeting with City Engineers, staff has determined that there may be alternatives more advantageous for the City, financially, to solve the brown water problems in the Bayard Avenue area. He stated that there have been two (2) recent events that may be a part of this resolution which were not known when the pipe replacement work was being performed. He advised members that during this last flushing session, staff discovered a valve that was shut off, which was causing water to go through Bayard Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood at a high velocity instead of going in two (2) different directions. This valve has been turned back on which will slow and allow the water to travel towards the Capital Complex. Another thing discovered during this flushing, was the need to add a hydrant much further south going towards The Laurels and The Beaches in order to perform routine flushing. Without the hydrant, staff was not able to flush that particular water line.
Prior to replacing the 14 inch pipe with 16 inch pipe as previously proposed, Mr. DePrima felt that the problems may be resolved as a result of opening the valve and the ability to flush further down the system and suggested that staff first determine if there are less complaints as a result of these alternatives. If there are less complaints received, staff would prefer to use the pipe that has been purchased as suggested in the Black & Veatch Study. Mr. DePrima explained that the study indicates that the City’s system does not allow enough contact time between chlorination injection stating that there should be about 5 minutes before chlorination gets into whole water system. This is done by creating a big tank to allow contact time with water before going into the system or by building a maze to allow this water to travel before going into the system. Engineers have developed a design for the Bayard Avenue and staff would use the new pipe for this purpose. Mr. DePrima stated that these actions would possibly resolve the brown water problem. The Black & Veatch Study indicates the need for these contact areas to be built.
Mr. Ruane indicates confusion regarding the monies already approved and those that are needed for these new purposes. Responding, Mr. DePrima explained that the boring and material costs would be an additional $168,000. The action at the last meeting authorized staff to pay George & Lynch to finish the Division Street Project to Bayard Avenue. The pipe already purchased for the Bayard Avenue would be installed by City crews. He reminded members that the direction for staff was to advise Council how much it would cost to complete the Bayard Avenue Project, which has been estimated at $168,000.
Mr. Ruane requested that staff reintroduce this explanation during the Council Meeting in a manner that will provide the public an understanding of the different efforts to be made by the City to address this matter. Concurring, Mr. DePrima stated that he would include a graphic to depict the location of the valve and hydrant and an idea of what one of these mazes.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend that a presentation be provided by staff at the next Council Meeting (that this item not be included on the Consent Agenda), to include pictures and diagrams to help explain the issue and provide a better understanding that this will be an alternative to the direction given by Council during their meeting of April 10, 2006. The motion was seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Internal Controls for Time and Material Projects
During a Special Utility Committee Meeting on April 10, 2006, members reviewed a request for budget increases for Division Street and Bayard Avenue Water Main Projects. The committee recommended and Council approved, during a meeting held later that same evening, that staff design internal controls for time and materials projects and bring to Council in two (2) weeks.
As directed, staff presented a procedure for Contracted Construction Project - Weekly Monitoring, which includes a monitoring report. Mr. DePrima noted as the procedure is utilized, he anticipates it will be necessary to make amendments to the procedure. He indicated that no action is necessary by the committee since he is authorized to institute such procedures as City Manager.
Mr. Sadusky moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:12 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Carleton E. Carey, Sr.
Chairman
CEC/TM/jg
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20064-24-2006 UTILITY.wpd
Attachment to Original Minutes and File Copy:
Attachment #1 - Annexation Resolution - Property Located at 1600 North Little Creek Road