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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-14 CC Minutes - Joint UVSDCITY OF UKIAH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES UKIAH VALLEY SANITATION DISTRICT Special Meeting CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, CA 95482 April 14, 2011 1. Roll Call Ukiah City Council met at a Special Joint Meeting of the Ukiah City Council and the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District on April 14, 2011, the notice for which having been legally noticed on April 8, 2011. Mayor Rodin called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm. Roll was taken with the following Councilmembers present: Landis, Thomas, Baldwin, Crane (arriving at 6:07 pm), and Mayor Rodin. Councilmembers absent: None. City Staff present: City Manager Chambers, Director of Finance Elton, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Eriksen, City Attorney Rapport, and City Clerk Currie. Sanitation District Board present: Chair Ronco, McNerlin, Marshall, Pallesen. Sanitation District Board absent: Porter. UVSD Staff present: UVSD District Manager/Clerk Kennedy, County Council Walker, and Board Secretary Clark. 2. Status Report of Ad/Hoc Governance Committee Work Councilmember Landis: • The Ad/Hoc Governance Committee has been meeting regularly and working through the participation agreement having looked at a number of issues brought forward from the UVSD to identify whether or not these issues were appropriate topics for possible modification and inclusion into the participation agreement. • A tour of the collection system has been scheduled in April to better understand how services are provided. Councilmember Baldwin: • The issue of the detachment-request was broached whereby a written proposal is requested from the city. Director Pallesen addressed the written proposal and added the District is not requesting a comprehensive plan/study but rather specific input/information so as to adequately guide the discussion since the matter of 'detachment' is very complex. 3. Invitation to UVSD Board and Staff Members to Tour Sewer Svstem Facilities and a Showing of Infiltration and Inflow Video Demonstration City Manager Chambers: • Confirmed the tour of the sewer system facilities has been arranged for April 28 at 3:30 p.m., same day as the Ad Hoc Committee meeting. Anyone wishing to participate in the tour is welcome. Director of Public Works/City Engineer Eriksen: • Presented the item. • Showed a video of a 6-inch sewer line before and after it was relined by demonstrating 'infiltration and inflow' of an unlined pipe during rainfall and no rainfall whereby the common question is 'why not look at the sewer lines and determine which lines have infiltration and those that do not. Page 1 of 3 4/14/2011 • Only about 4% of the sewer system facilities are lined. There was discussion about leaking sewer lines in connection with their original composition and structuring to address infiltration and how much inflow would be expected in general and what an affected pipe can process/handle. Staff: Infiltration can vary depending upon the condition of the pipe line and/or other existing sources/conditions that affect the function of the pipe wherein the flow is not always attributed to just rainfall. What typically occurs is only a small portion of the pipe is affected by leaks and subsequent infiltration. A relined pipe provides better regular flow. There was also discussion given the typical low rate of infiltration in most cases and whether or not the procedure of lining the sewer lines is cost effective. There was further discussion about inflow capacity per gallon at the Water Sewer Treatment Plant for various times of year and the plant's ability to process/document this inflow on a daily basis, particularly when there are storm conditions when inflow is higher and whether or not the improvements being made to sewer lines allowing for increased inflow is evident and attributed to the repairs. Staff• • The WWTP operator does see a difference this year in the amount of inflow at the Plant. He attributes this to the improvements. Statistically speaking though, no two years are alike in terms of calculating inflow. • Again, the issue is not necessarily to focus on infiltration as the primary problem, but j rather to consider the other variables that can play a role with regard to inflow, such as a connection that should not be a connection but has been in place for a long time or some other variable such as roof drainage. • Clarified, while infiltration plays a role with regard to inflow. Inflow is not always attributed I to rainfall and/or high water conditions, it may be somewhat problematic how to effectively calculate and/or measure inflow when there are other variables to consider. UVSD Board: • There is some sense the situation is improving due to repairs to the pipe lines. 4. Discussion of the Uses of the Low Strength Commercial Rate for Multi-Residential Complexes with Over 4 Residential Units and A Single Master Water Meter and Possible Direction to Staff Chair Ronco noted discussion of this agenda item was requested from a mobile home park owner located in the UVSD jurisdiction. District Manager Kennedy presented the item. Public Comment Opened: 6:53 pm Public Speaking to the item: Jimmy Rickel, advocated for the tenants of the Mobile Country Club, they are concerned with fairness with how they are billed and how much the bills are; Linda Tannous, owner of Mobile Country Club, expressed concern over the amount of the sewer fees, and JR Rose commented on rate payers' ability to pay fees. Public Comment Closed: 7:07 pm Page 2 of 3 4/14/2011 Finance Director Elton proposed looking at the multi-residential customers to compare what the bills would be if charged at the commercial rate vs. residential rate. City staff will perform the comparison. The District will study the City's ordinances. 5. Discussion of Implementation Process for 3 Month Average Basis Adopted By UVSD - Verbal Report By City Manager Finance Director Elton presented the item. Director Elton reported city staff is currently working on providing the raw data through March, which is now closed-out, to District Manager Kennedy. Demonstrations will be given by the potential financial software vendor at a workshop May 4 and at the May 4 Council meeting. 6. Discussion of UVSD Plan for FY 2011/2012 Rate Structure City Manager Chambers presented the item which is to inquire what UVSD's plans are for a 2012 to 2015 rate schedule. Recommended Action(s): Allow for discussion of the questions raised in the City Manager's letter of January 20, 2011, and for discussion of City concerns regarding proposed connection fees under consideration by the District. District Manager Kennedy reported the District's Finance Committee will submit a recommended rate structure to the Board on April 21, 2011. The tentative rate hearing date is June 16, 2011. 7. Discussion of City Manager Letter of January 20, 2011, Regarding Comments On UVSD Rate Study and Connection Fees City Attorney Rapport presented the item. Recommended Action(s): Allow for discussion of the questions raised in the City Manager's letter of January 20, 2011, and for discussion of City concern regarding proposed connection fees under consideration by the District. Councilmember Thomas left the dais 8:26 pm and returned 8:29 pm Public Comment Opened 8:27 pm John McCowen Public Comment Closed 8:32 pm The District is willing to postpone Ordinance 35, review the formula, and the 32% to 20% question which would affect the City's five year rates. The ordinance will be heard April 21, 2011. 8. Report on Ukiah Valley Sanitation District General Liability & Property Insurance Policies Recommended Action(s): UVSD Board and City Council receive report regarding UVSD liability and property insurance coverage. Referred back to staff to resolve insurance coverage issues. 9. Public Comment JR Rose is pleased to see the City and District working together. 10. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:09 pm. tI A Jnneo M. Currie, City Clerk Page 3 of 3 4/14/2011