HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.18.2002• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 18, 2002
2:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Hurley.
Members absent: Berry, Jordan, Getty.
Moved by Clark, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four.
Absent: Berry, Jordan, Getty. Motion carried.
Waste Management Services Budget was reviewed. The mode of operations at the sewer plant
has been changed. The number of employees was reduced, went from three shifts to one shift,
the number of operators was reduced, and the plant was still able to meet all the EPA and DNR
guidelines. Once the new plant is in operation, there may be a need for one additional operator.
Combining Water Pollution and Sanitation has greatly reduced the number of employees, with
46 overall employees. In 1994 the city was faced with a $1 million fine for pollution of the
Cedar River. The city received a $36 million grant and the city contributed $30 million to
upgrade our sewer plant. We built an industry plant with its own interceptor with the city
currently using only 50 percent of its capacity. The residential plant is large enough for the city
to grow to a population of 120,000. Two more projects, odor control and manhole rehabilitation
program, will complete the grant funded project.
The Sanitation Department was merged with Solids Waste to form Waste Management Services.
The numbers of employees in the sanitation area has dropped from 22 employees to around
seven employees utilizing automated garbage routes. The merger has reduced response time,
increased flood control and the department is more user friendly.
The two highest priced items in the sewer budget are energy to supply the aeration system and
chemicals.
The staffing level was reviewed. The merger allows for sharing of the superintendent, assistant
superintendent and administrative secretary.
The expenses were reviewed. The Superintendent of Waste Management recommends that fees
be increased $1.5 million.
A five-year comparison of the garbage fund and the sewer fund were reviewed. Total revenues
for the Sewer Fund in the amount of $9,055,632.10 were projected for FY02, and the amount of
$,8,758,153.00 are proposed for FY03.
A proposed sewer rate increase was reviewed. The current fees are based as follows:
$9.55 monthly base $1.40 per ccf 3ccf included in monthly base fee
Industrial users have different agreements on the cost per month for sewer service. The
industrial rates cannot be increased unless residential fees are raised above the industrial rates.
A proposed 30 percent fee increase garbage services was reviewed.
The line item budget was reviewed, including personal services, carriers, utilities,
interdepartmental charges, contractual services, other professionals. Line Item 2119 (Equipment)
has a budgeted amount of $500,000. Part of the grant requirement requires maintenance of plant
equipment. The EPA requires that a certain amount be set aside for maintenance. There was
$420,000 operating fund at the end of June 30, 2001 in the sewer fund. Total revenues from
sewer fees is projected at $8,739,1000 for FY03. Sewer rates need to be increased to make the
sewer fund self-sufficient.
Council Work Session
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February 18, 2002
Page 2
The federal government is going to regulate storm sewers, which will increase the city's cost.
Thirteen positions are budgeted in the Sanitation Fund. With the merging of sanitation and
sewer, the number of Solid Waste Operator positions were reduced to five. The city is proposing
that the Waste Service Techs work eight hours a day, five days per week. The line item for
carriers has been significantly reduced for FY03. Line Item 2117 (Motor Vehicles) has a
budgeted amount of $350,000 to purchase new garbage trucks. Line Item 1533 (Gasoline) has
been increased from $48,000 in FY02 to $65,000 in FY03. Total budgeted expenses in the
sanitation fund is $3,354,889 with revenues projected at $2,776,400. The city received $265,868
grant from Black Hawk Solid Waste Commission last year. Line Item 1596 (Yard Waste Bags)
has been increased from $30,000 to $51,000 in the FY03 Budget.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Hurley that the
meeting be adjourned at 3:57 p.m. Ayes: Four. Absent: Berry, Jordan, Getty. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk