HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-2019 Council Work Session Minutes Orono City Council
Work Session Minutes
Monday, October 28, 2019
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Aaron Printup,
Matt Johnson and Victoria Seals. Representing staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief,
Finance Director Ron Olson, City Accountant Maggie Ung, Public Works Director/City
Engineer Adam Edwards and City Clerk Anna Carlson.
1. Sanitary Service Line Point of Sale Inspections
Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards presented background information
in regards to current and possible Sanitary Sewer Line Point of Sale processes. Edwards
is looking for the Council's guidance on whether or not the City should develop and adopt
a Point of Sale Inspection Ordinance for Sanitary Sewer Service pipes.
Mayor Dennis Walsh indicated that it makes sense to support the ordinance to help avoid
possible issues that could come up in the future.
Council Member Matt Johnson mentioned that independent contractors conduct these
types of inspections and they aren't typical in the residential side.
Edwards mentioned that he had included some of the surrounding City's that do require
the inspections in the memorandum and in some cases their procedure. He added it varies
by City and noted that it can be done by the City and in some cases can be done by a
plumber if the resident prefers.
Walsh explained that it is mainly done for the sanitary sewer only and that it is usually
includes a certified compliance certificate from the City.
Edwards noted the process would be similar to what we currently do for septic.
Johnson mentioned that often times the pipes need to be cleaned to be inspected. He noted
that there have been some City's that had made this a requirement and later got rid of it.
He asked why the preferred method is at the time of sale versus making it a requirement
for all.
Edwards mentioned that there are a few different options that could be discussed.
Council Member Aaron Printup mentioned that it may be a bit easier to do at the Point of
Sale versus hitting the resident with the fees.
Johnson asked if the City would be able to enforce this by the age of the house or age of
the system.
City Administrator Dustin Rief mentioned that is something the staff could look into.
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Orono City Council
Work Session Minutes
Monday, October 28,2019
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
Staff could search the City's permit data for each lift station and use the addresses
associated with it to find which addresses have pulled a permit in the last twenty years.
Walsh mentioned we know it needs to be done, now we need to possibly put it in the
budget now, and incrementally take care of it. There is a lot of things that we need to
consider. He added staff may need to do some further research.
There was discussion about various aspects that Council would like to be considered
before developing this type of policy or ordinance. Aspects discussed were: how and
when to require inspections; when and how to determine prioritization of areas in need;
education to the public; possibilities of assessing for it; and responsibilities of the City and
residents.
Printup mentioned the City should be sure to provide communications to residents in the
newsletters and possibly look at beginning Point of Sale in 2021. Printup added it is
important that residents know that the city has actively been addressing I&I.
Walsh mentioned that this is part of best practices from the City's standpoint it is going to
cost money and it's going to maintain infrastructure. He added that guidance to staff
would be to develop the Point of Sale ordinance and bring it back to Council for further
discussion.
Johnson indicated the he was in favor of having inspections required for every house and
certificates of compliance for every house that would come directly from the City.
2. 2020 Utility Billing and Rates
a. Utility Rates
b. Monthly vs. Quarterly Billing
c. Water Utility Shut-Off Policy
Finance Director Ron Olson presented the 2020 Utility Billing and Rates item. Olson
added that staff is recommending significant increases for next year. The reason for this is
due to the level of expected capital expenditures over the near term. Higher increases next
year allow the City to meet funding goals while keeping rates lower in future years. Olson
noted that some of these rates particularly water, sewer, recycling are significant but if we
wait it could be worse off.
Walsh asked that staff work on making sure these increases are communicated to residents
and make sure to share the reasons for the increases.
Printup added that it needs to be communicated that this is and has been ongoing.
Walsh added the goal of approaching this in this way is so the City doesn't have to assess.
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Orono City Council
Work Session Minutes
Monday, October 28,2019
Council Chambers 5:00 p.m.
There was discussion about going to monthly billing versus quarterly. There was a
consensus for monthly billing.
3. Capital Improvement Plan
Printup mentioned that we need to be aware and need to know what certain items mean on
the Fire CIP. We don't want to approve something and then it be used for something
differently and it is important to know what we are actually approving. We are not
familiar with the terms used and need clarification.
Adjourned: 6:51p.m.
ATTEST:
a'74L- 1 /
Anna Carlson, City Clerk Dennis Walsh, Mayor
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