City Council

Minutes of Special Council Meeting March 12 , 2012 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Larry Haver. The Pledge of Allegiance was repeated by all present. Present were: Council members, Mark Haver, Mick Pocratsky, Ron Beverly, Ron Jones, Mike Barth and Mike Headley (arrived at 6:10 p.m.); Clerk/Treasurer, Diane Collins; Administrator, Kent Miller and Solicitor, Troy Essex. Rick Weaver of Poggemeyer Design Group (PDG) was present along with Scott Strahley from Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP). Weaver pointed out that we currently have Underground Utilities doing some flow monitoring for us. This monitoring will determine where excess storm water is coming into our sewer system. He noted that if we go ahead and do a storm sewer project and remove the storm water from a certain area, that is not the end. We still may have cracked or missing pipe, tree roots etc. to deal with. (Headley arrived) Ditches and swales were looked at years ago. He believes we already have the tools to begin dealing with the storm water based on work PDG has done for us previously. He said he is not against a Storm Study. He stated he understands what we are trying to accomplish – Meet the EPA’s demands at an affordable rate. Strahley then spoke to council about needing a creative way to deal with storm water. A Storm Study is being done to take care of the flooding issues. He said we need to figure out how we are going to address those issues and if we have the necessary documents we need to go ahead and start the projects. As additional information, Weaver noted that PDG recently designed a larger retention system at the hospital that should take care of the flooding issue there. Mayor Haver questioned PDG’s design to restrict the ends of pipe on the Meuse Argonne to Defiance Avenue line to (2) 24’s. Weaver stated it was designed to match the capacity coming in. Council member Jones noted that per Dana’s (EPA) request, we are doing “something” . Rick Weaver stated that PDG is willing to share their experience. Request for Proposals were put out. Today is the deadline to choose. Essex was not sure if the RFP’s can be continued. Strahley still suggests we go ahead with hiring an engineer to do the hydraulogy study. Miller reported that Gene Rigby of Underground Utility does not see a need for a hydraulogy study or ponds. Miller went on to say that Rigby feels that when his project is complete we will have enough data to decide how to proceed. Rigby’s testing includes flow meters, smoke testing, dye testing. Strahely stated that nothing we have tells him we have the information we need to proceed. Our Long Term Control Plan is for 20 years. Strahley suggested we do work to eliminate 25% of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO’s)in the first five years and then eliminate another 25% in the next five years. Collins left the meeting at this time. Miller noted in his written minutes: We need to get final analysis in before making final design plans. Hope to not take full separation. Discussed proposed brochure to go out with a letter to the residents explaining storm water issues in Hicksville. Beverly moved to adjourn. Haver seconded. All voted yes. (7 p.m.) ________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Mayor Haver Clerk/Treasurer Diane collins