REGULAR
MEETING OF THE
TOWN
OF MENASHA UTILITY DISTRICT
Municipal
Complex - Assembly Room
Monday,
January 22, 2001
MINUTES
The agenda was posted at the Municipal
Complex, Fire Station 40, Town of Menasha Utility District, Appleton Public
Library, Menasha Public Library, and Neenah Public Library and is available on
the Town of Menasha Website at www.town-menasha.com.
I. CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL
President Arden Tews called the Regular
Meeting of Utility District Commissioners to order at 4:45 p.m. and led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Utility District Secretary, Carlene Sprague,
noted the roll as follows:
PRESENT:
Arden Tews, President Jerry
Jurgensen, Commissioner #3
Bob Sprague, Commissioner #2 Russ
Handevidt, Commissioner #4
Carlene Sprague, Util. Dist. Secretary Brad Werner, Town
Engineer
Carl Sutter, Town Engineer Patrick
DeGrave, Administrator
Myra Piergrossi, Dir. of Finance George Dearborn, Dir. of Com. Dev.
Jeff Roth, Utility District Water Supt. Paula Pagel, Util Dist
Office Manager
Steve Laabs, Util. Dist. Wastewater Supt.
EXCUSED:
Jeanne Krueger, Commissioner #1
ALSO PRESENT:
Kim
Jennings, representing Virchow Krause
A.
Virchow Krause
– Set Sewer Rates
John
Andres, representing Virchow Krause, stated that at the last meeting, the
Utility District Commission approved the application for the new water rates,
which are regulated by the Public Service Commission.
The
purpose of this discussion is regarding the adjustment of the Utility District
sewer rates, which require approval of the Utility District Commission.
The
existing sewer rates are:
1)
a volume rate plus tax levies
2)
a different volume rate for those outside taxing
jurisdictions
He
asked for direction regarding how to shift the tax levy.
Chairman
Tews – We are asking for guidance regarding this issue from Virchow
Krause. What percentage did we take off
last year?
Dir.
of Finance, Myra Piergrossi, stated the 1999 mill rate amount was approximately
$l.56 and $.76 for Town Residents. This
is a 25% increase in water.
Supervisor
Sprague asked what a 45% increase would be on a bill?
John
Andres stated that for an average customer, a 45% increase, with 18,000 gallons
of usage, would increase the current $26.00.
This would be approximately a $12.00 increase per quarter for sewer
only.
Supervisor
Handevidt estimated the dollar amount to be approximately from $26.00 up to
$37.70.
Administrator
DeGrave – It still leaves us with a very reasonable cost for sewer.
John
Andres asked for the Commission’s consensus regarding whether they would prefer
a “phase in” process over three (3) years, versus a one-time increase.
You
currently have a difference for sewer lateral of $.07 per thousand gallons
included in the volume rate for lateral repair costs to residential
customers. We would offer an
alternative to charge quarterly, a fixed cost that does not vary by volume.
Steve
Laabs, Wastewater Superintendent, recommended keeping the charge on the bill.
It
was the consensus of the Commission to change the lateral repair component from
a volume charge to a quarterly fixed charge.
MOTION: Commissioner Sprague, second Commissioner Jurgensen to adopt the resolution and approve the expenditures as submitted with the exception of (none). Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Krueger excused.
B.
010122-2:UD Authorize Installation of Cellular Antenna
on Water Tower
MOTION: Commissioner Sprague, second Commissioner Handevidt to adopt the resolution and authorization the negotiation of the lease of water tower space on two Town of Menasha Towers with Telecorp PCS and that the Town of Menasha Chairperson and Clerk are authorized to sign the lease following successful negotiation as submitted. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Krueger excused.
A. 010122-1:UD APPT Appoint Commissioner to Neenah Menasha Sewerage Commission
MOTION: Commissioner Sprague, second Commissioner Jurgensen to approve the appointment of Russ Handevidt to the Neenah-Menasha Sewage Commission effective February 27, 2001 as submitted. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Krueger excused.
MOTION: Commissioner Sprague, second Commissioner Jurgensen to adopt the resolution and approve the minutes as submitted. Motion carried with President Tews abstaining due to un-attendance of the Jan. 8th, 2001 Meeting, and Commissioner Krueger excused.
A.
Water Billing
Summary – December 2000
B.
Sewer Billing
Summary – December 2000
MOTION: Commissioner Sprague, second Commissioner Jurgensen to adopt and approve the correspondence as submitted. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Krueger excused.
A. Town
Administrator - None
B.
Engineer – Town
Engineer, Carl Sutter, reports that work is continuing on the Gateway Meadows
project.
Town Engineer,
Brad Werner, reported on the completion of the Hwy. 114 project.
C.
Water Superintendent - None
D.
Wastewater Superintendent - None
E.
Commissioners
Ø Commissioner Krueger - Excused
Ø
Commissioner
Sprague – None
Ø
Commissioner
Jurgensen – None
Ø
Commissioner
Handevidt - none
F.
Commission
President Tews - None
G. Dir. Of Community Development
Dir. George
Dearborn reported on a request for sewer service by the Clayton Group LLC.
At 5:07 p.m., MOTION: Commissioner
Sprague, second Commissioner Handevidt to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the
Utility District of Commissioners.
Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlene L. Sprague
Utility District Secretary