12/16/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 12/16/2008 declaring an emergency. The item comes in a liquid form, there are not many bidders, our usage is fairly level, and the previous cost was approximately $70,000. The committee voted 2-0 to recommend approval to all of Council with suspension. • The chairman made a presentation on a program instituted in several cities including Portland, Seattle, and Chicago. An a-mail has been sent to the Mayor and directors containing information on the changes to a green infrastructure and controlling the storm water problems associated with combined sewer overflow, in our city's case, the inflow and infiltration of storm water to sanitary sewers. This information gives an overview of what Portland, Oregon has put together as its master plan to control stone water problems. One facet of this plan involves the disconnection of downspouts to allow rain water to flow over permeable ground and percolate into the ground. They pay residents to disconnect downspouts. They have invested approximately $8 million in a city-wide program and estimate a $250 million savings in infrastructure repair and replacement. This alone is not a program which can be implemented immediately. First, there is a need to have the soil tested for permeability. This would determine if downspout disconnection is possible. Portland is also using mini bio-retention ponds on residential properties as a way to capture and hold rain water while it soaks into the soil. To implement this program or any other program which Portland and several other cities are using, may require acounty-wide approach considering the master plan which needs to be developed. If implemented properly, there maybe tremendous savings in place of massive infrastructure replacement. If the federal govenunent stimulus package for infrastructure materializes, a stone water control program may help to attract federal monies for other infrastructure programs. • The chairman requested information on the HNTB water study. The Service Director stated the study could be presented around mid-January. Tonight the Mayor stated a Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 7 p.m. meeting with HNTB to discuss the water study. • The Board of Control review of the ATS contract was briefly discussed. The chairman requested information on the amount of revenue generated by the increase in the sewer charge for 2008. The request was referred to the Finance Director. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. 2) Councilman Orlowski announced the passing of former city engineer James Howard Childs. Mr. Childs was formerly Director of Space Flight Programs at NASA Lewis Research Center. He retired from NASA after 30 years service and later served as city engineer of Lakewood and North Olmsted. A moment of silence was held in memory of Mr. Childs. Council Member Dailey Jones, chairperson of the Streets & Transportation Committee commented that the street survey expected from our Engineering and Service Departments should be received after the first of the year. 5