City Council Minutes 2017 08 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes August 15, 2017 Page 11 of 13 Councilmember Loo moved to approve Resolution No. 48, Senes 2017; Councilmember Keany seconded the motion Councilmember Stolzmann stated her support for the motion and added it is hard to make long-range plans for capital and maintenance so major adjustments like this aren't needed in the future She would like staff to prepare a long-range plan for water rates and a better understanding of what is driving the rate increases. She would like more information as to why the rates have gone up so much in the last few years. We need more long-range planning for preventative maintenance. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote RESOLUTION NO. 49, SERIES 2017 — A RESOLUTION SETTING REVISED INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SURCHARGE RATES FOR THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE, COLORADO Mayor Muckle introduced the item. Director Kowar stated this is consideration of an increase to the wastewater surcharge fees. As a part of our environmental permit for the wastewater plant there is an Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) that sets discharge limits for large users that may impact our wastewater treatment plant We set rates in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and then we uphold those rates through the IPP. What is before you are the fines we charge people who discharge a high amount of solids or what are called "biological oxygen demand" and oil and grease into our system. It was last updated in 1992. Staff recommends increasing the fines from 25 cents to 58 cents. Mayor Pro Tem Lipton asked why the Utility Committee had not reviewed this Director Kowar stated it is a routine item and staff felt it didn't need additional review Mayor Pro Tem Lipton stated this is a doubling of the fee and we don't know what the impact is; it might be a Targe impact to an industrial user. Director Kowar noted the fiscal impact is an increase of about $15,000 in revenue to the City. He noted that if an industrial user meets all of the discharge rules, they won't get charged anything. Mayor Pro Tem Lipton stated he simply would like this to be handled procedurally with a review from the Utility Committee. Councilmember Loo asked if industrial users had been notified of the proposed change. Director Kowar stated notification had not been made; he noted only a handful of users will be affected. This is a fine, not a use charge, and is used to recoup the cost of treating the extra material in our wastewater system. Councilmember Loo noted those who might be affected should have been told this increase was under discussion so they could attend the meeting to state their concerns if they had any.