City Council - Ordinance Committee

CHICOPEE CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED MEMBERS James Tillotson, Chairman Gary Labrie, Vice-Chairman Robert J. Zygarowski Frank Laflamme Timothy McLellan MINUTES June 26, 2014 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 5:45 PM in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present: Tillotson, Labrie, Laflamme, Zygarowski, McLellan Also Present: Councilor Lamontagne, Councilor Moreau, Councilor Jerry Roy (At-Large), Tom Hamel, Project Supervisor The meeting was called to order at 5:45 PM. In compliance with the open meeting laws the Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. ITEM #1 BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council pursuant to its powers delineated in Chapter 230 Section 22A of the City Code, the Council hereby established and adopts for following storm and sewer rates: Storm & Sewer Rates The following fee rates will be applied to all bills rendered on or after July 1, 2015 The following fee rates will be applied to all bills rendered on or after July 1, 2015 1.0 General Sewer Fees Minimum quarterly charge $10.00/Quarter Sewer Fee Rate $ 5.99/100 cubic feet for first 1000 cubic feet Sewer Fee Rate $ 6.79/100 cubic feet for all usage over 1000 cubic feet 1.1 General Sewer Fee Storm Fee a) For all single family residential property $25.00 per quarter b) For all commercial, industrial, multiple dwelling, and all other property $0.45 per 1000 square feet of property per quarter Minimum quarterly charge $ 25.00 Maximum quarterly charge $160.00 1 1.2 General Septage Fee Septage $75.00/1000 gallons of truck tank capacity This increase is for FY 2016. Tom Hamel stated that this sewer rate increase is for $.59. He further stated that in order to award the contract he has to show the ability to pay. That is why the sewer commission is requesting this sewer increase. This will extend over two years. The Council has already approved a bond authorization. He stated that they don’t want the fee to go up all at once so they try to break it up in pieces. Already spent on CSO’s projects is $126 million. Tom also stated that there are fines of $1,000-$5,000 per day if the consent decree is not adhered to. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #2 BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council pursuant to its powers delineated in Chapter 230 Section 22A of the City Code, the Council hereby established and adopts for following storm and sewer rates: Storm & Sewer Rates The following fee rates will be applied to all bills rendered on or after July 1, 2016 2.0 General Sewer Fees Minimum quarterly charge $10.00/Quarter Sewer Fee Rate $ 6.27/100 cubic feet for first 1000 cubic feet Sewer Fee Rate $ 7.07/100 cubic feet for all usage over 1000 cubic feet 1.1 General Sewer Fee Storm Fee a) For all single family residential property $25.00 per quarter b) For all commercial, industrial, multiple dwelling, and all other property $0.45 per 1000 square feet of property per quarter Minimum quarterly charge $ 25.00 Maximum quarterly charge $160.00 1.2 General Septage Fee Septage $75.00/1000 gallons of truck tank capacity Tom Hamel stated that this is a $.28 increase. This does not have to approved now but would have to be approved by March 2015. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor McLellan to table. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:07 PM. 2