03/29/1995 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Special Council Minutes of 3/29/95 sewer debt. The Mayor explained that was not possible because the faith and credit of the U,: city was not used to purchase the golf course. A revenue issue was used for the purchase, which means that none of the money came out of the sewer or street foods. Sprmgvale revenues go into the General Fund, which do help to pay operational expenses. Mrs. Waltz then asked for an explanation of the economic development plan. Mayor Boyle explained the economic development plan has accounted for almost 500 new jobs in the city. This has increased our revenues from income taxes, and we are sharing some of these foods with the schools. Helen Sords, 26839 Fairfax Lane, expressed concern about the increase in the sewer rate which has been reported to be 60%. She feels the problem should have been taken care of gradually and wanted to know if the rates would be lowered in the future. Mayor Boyle explained that the rate increases had been studied by a committee of city officials and representatives from Malcolm Pirnie, aworld-renown engineering firm in the area of sanitary sewers. The rates will be in effect for atwo-year period, and at the end of that time they will be reviewed. If all conditions are stable, there is a very good chance these rates will hold until the end of the century. Mrs. Sords asked the Mayor if it would be possible to give senior cftizens a discount on the sewer rates. The Mayor explained that giving a discount to any one group would increase the rate for the remainder of citizens. Mayor Boyle explained that previous administrations had acted on the information given to them at the time. The Councils in the 1980's did raise the sewer rates, but their decisions may have been based on flawed information. Mr. McKay explained that in the 1980'shydm-brakes had been installed in some areas ofthe cities in order to stop flooding in residents' homes. The city was assured by engineers that the hydro-brakes had worked in other communities. Unfortunately, the devices did not work and they ac~tuallY ruined the streets. The hydro-brakes did reduce the surcharging within the sewer but did not address the problem of dumping diluted sanitary sewage in the streets. In 1990, the hydro- brakes were removed as the city began the sewer renovation program in order to address the flooding problem The sewer rate increase is needed to pay for these costly repairs. Whether or not the rates can come down depends on future water consumption. Mr. Musial made the point that the sewer rates do provide for a contingency fund. Mayor Boyle clarified that the rates do provide for a carryover at the end of each year of approximately 7%. Mr. Musial commented that, although a typical North Olmsted quarterly bill would be $100, a resident of North Ridgeville had told him that her recent water bill had been $18.67 and the sewer bill $23.14 for a month. In addition, the North Ridgeville resident pays $12.20 a month for trash collection. Mr. Musial said that he would also be monitoring the monthly consumption figures. Mr. Boehmer asked all present to observe a moment of silence to honor the memory of former Mayor Paul Gareau who recently passed away. 3