11-14-1994 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 14. 1994 PUBLIC COMMENTS Marie Purvey of 3926 Cherry Avenue, Mound, voiced her concern over the escalation of • her sewer costs. Purvey asked for information on how the sewer costs were established and how the increase was determined. Purvey reported an increase of 38% since 10/93 from $58 to $70.55. Callahan said there is a separate sewer fund in the City. The Fund is used to operate the sewer and maintain the lift stations. The sewer rates were passed at a Council meeting as part of the City budget. Purvey asked if a metering service is available. Moorse said commercial buildings are metered according to volume. Those residential properties connected to City water have meters, but others who do not have City water do not have meters. Residents are charged on a unit basis. There was a 301/6 increase last year but it was noted that this occurred after six years of no increase. The increase was in direct relation to the amount paid to the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission. Moorse reported being in the process of looking at the possibility of residential metered service and noted there would be a cost involved for installation of the meters. Moorse said one option for metering is that if a customer would like to be charged based on their volume, they could install a meter. This presently is not available. Jabbour noted that the recent drought period reduced the lake water level resulting in less • sewer flow and less money being charged to the City by the MWCC. The Orono residents received the benefit of this by lower sewer bills the past six years. Jabbour also said the meters would require being read which would cost the customer in his or her sewer bill_ Purvey asked about customers reading their own meters, and Moorse said there are options available regarding meter reading. Callahan commented on the amount of water now going through the sewer system because of sump pumps currently connected to the system which should not be. This is an area that the City is now looking at which will result in cost saving in the near future. ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT ( #3) #1895 PAT WOLFE, 2871 CASCO POINT ROAD - AFTER-THE-FACT VARIANCES The Applicant was not present and asked Staff to remove the application from the agenda. Jabbour moved, Goetten seconded, to table Application #1895 for Pat Wolfe until the Council Meeting of 11/28/94. Staff was informed to notify Mr. Wolfe to be present at the next meeting as this issue will be acted upon at that time. • 2