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Commission Minutes Archive
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Diehl called the Regular Session Meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission to order at 6:07 p.m. at the Washington County Water and Sewer Department Administration Office, 16232 Elliott Parkway, Williamsport, Maryland.
ATTENDANCE
A quorum was present including: Chairperson Christopher Diehl, Vice-Chairperson Glenn Fishack, Commissioner Bonnie Parks, Commissioner Ed Renn, Commissioner Gordon Crabb, Secretary Michael Armel, Commissioner Steve Klick, County Commissioner William Wivell, Jim Bishop, Operations Coordinator and Jamie Calandrelle, Office Associate. Absent: Gregory Murray, Director of Water and Sewer Operations.
(Attachment #1)
READING, CORRECTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Session Minutes - June 10, 1999
Motion made by Secretary Armel, seconded by Commissioner Parks to postpone approval of the minutes to the next scheduled advisory commission meeting August 12, 1999.
Unanimously approved.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Lori Joseph, 25467 Military Road, Cascade, Maryland, stated her concerns in needing assistance with a $4000 connection fee. A packet of documents relating to this property were distributed. (Attachment #2) Discussion followed. Vice-Chairperson Fishack suggested that she contact the Commissioner on Aging for assistance. Discussion followed.
The Water and Sewer Department staff was requested to give consideration to and, at a subsequent meeting, offer comments on the following proposals (prompted by this matter):
1) As an alternative to current policy (and not necessarily to replace/delete current policy), enable users/customers to pay unpaid fees covering the "unconnected" period of time. [For this case, advise what are the dollar amounts at issue.]
2) As S.O.P. policy, enter a land record at the time of disconnection for information to the public in any subsequent "deed" research; owner seeking disconnection would pay a charge covering recordation fee, etc.
ADVISORY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Motion by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to revise and reformat the wording of the advisory commission mission statement. (Attachment #3) Discussion followed. Motion by Commissioner Fishack, seconded by Secretary Armel, to table this motion.
Unanimously approved.
Commissioner Crabb mentioned he would like to see a listing of the debts. County Commissioner Wivell distributed a report titled "Washington County, Maryland - Water and Sewer Bonds of 1999" (Attachment #4) Discussion followed.
Commissioner Crabb requested a rates sheet covering FY 98, 99, and 2000. Commissioner Crabb reiterated the need to have "all bases covered" relative to the proposed closing of the Nicodemus WWTP.
Secretary Armel inquired about the articles published recently in the Herald Mail regarding the town of Smithsburg where it stated they may pursue building its own treatment plant for sewage. Issues involving Whispering Hills subdivision was also mentioned. County Commissioner Wivell shared with everyone a letter he mailed to the Town of Smithsburg regarding these issues.
(Attachment #5)
Secretary Armel stated his concerns regarding Pen Mar and Washington Township areas and whether or not those customers being served out of county could be placed in a separate rate class. Discussion followed. It was requested that copies of existing service agreements for these areas be provided to the Advisory Commission.
Commissioner Parks requested information on the fee payment by U.S. Army relative to Fort Ritchie. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Klick offered his thanks for the Advisory Commission recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.
EDC/AC Joint Meeting - Chairperson Diehl stated he spoke to Suzanne Hayes with the Economic Development Commission and stated the following issues will be discussed at the joint meeting to be held July 12, 1999:
1) Rate Structure - Commercial versus Residential
2) Connection Fees/Allocation Fees
3) Special Tax District or Impact Fees - Ready to Serve Fee
4) Resolution for Revolving Loan Funds
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR COMMENTS
Budget Summary Report - As of 5/31/99 (Attachment #6) - Operations Coordinator Bishop discussed the report and stated the $871,000 amount owed from Fort Ritchie has not been received to date.
Project Status Reports - June 8, 1999 - (Attachment #7) This report was previously distributed and is a part of minutes dated June 10, 1999. Secretary Armel and Commissioner Crabb inquired about several projects. Discussion followed. The Halfway I/I project is "dormant" due to drought conditions; I/I rehabilitation is scheduled for FY 2001.
Operations Coordinator Bishop distributed a report titled "CIPF Projected Revenue", "CIPF Project Completion Schedule" and "CIPF Revenue". (Attachment #8) Commissioner Crabb stated he would like to see a bar showing a completion date as well as a line item for a breakeven point. Discussion followed.
Operations Coordinator Bishop distributed a letter from the Board of County Commissioners where it states Steve Klick is appointed to the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission for a three-year term extending to June 30, 2002. (Attachment #9)
Operations Coordinator Bishop distributed a packet of information received by Virginia Kearney, Administrator of Water Management Administration (MDE) regarding two draft copies:
1) Water Quality and Drinking Water Priority Lists for FFY 1999/2000
2) FFY 1999 Intended Use Plans
Discussion followed. (Attachment #10) Also included is a copy of a letter addressed to Director Murray regarding infrastructure projects. (Attachment #11)
Operations Coordinator Bishop also shared a memo regarding pretreatment.
(Attachment #12)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Chairperson Diehl stated he would like to address the issues regarding sludge application and connection policy increases at the next scheduled advisory commission meeting to be held August 12, 1999.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Fishack, seconded by Commissioner Renn to convene in closed session for the purpose to discuss contract operations.
Unanimously approved.
RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Fishack, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to reconvene in regular session.
Unanimously approved.
Motion made by Commissioner Fishack, seconded by Commissioner Parks requesting Greg Larsen, Marketing Coordinator, be present at the next scheduled advisory commission meeting to be held August 12, 1999.
Unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Commissioner Parks to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.
Unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted by:
____________________________ Date: ________________________
Jamie L. Calandrelle,
Office Associate IV
Reviewed by:
____________________________ _____________________________
Gregory B. Murray, Michael V. Armel,
Director of Water and Sewer Operations Advisory Commission Secretary
Date: _______________________ Date: ________________________