HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 09.14.2009MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Present: Chairman Mark Mace
Bill Karnpher Dave Siljestrom
Emelie Eaton Chuck Rodgers
Staff Present: Public Works Director, Kurt Markegard
Public Citizens Present: None
Public Comments: None
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. The August 10th minutes were approved as written, via
motion by Chuck Rodgers, seconded by Dave Siljestrom.
Kurt wa uted to advise the committee that he talked to Harry Whalen of Rural Water Assistance. Mr.
Whalen recommends that the utility usually will be in charge of the resale of water it produces. Utility
departments usually have the power to dictate what its customers pay for its product. The Utilities
Director makes recommendations to the governing body that votes on what the utility must have to
operate and stay solvent to maintain an ample supply of water for its members now and into the future.
That body also has a responsibility to set rules and guidelines for staff to follow, and to limit how much is
taken ba.5ed on what the utility can produce any given day. If rationing is needed to keep water for use
during hot months for fire suppression and for household use, then rules must be adhered to with strict
enforcement. The City of Laurel has no rules that govern how much water can be resold and by whom.
The utility must substantiate what users will be reduced and how much can be taken without jeopardizing
the majority of homes within the city consumers and outside of the city users would not be able to use
large amounts of water unless they subscribed to the same rules for times of rationing in emergency
Emelie stated that the council should create a rate specific to limit Fox Water Company. Emelie went on
to state that a flat rate must be established to make the utility help pay for the system to be maintained by
ALL uses and not supported by the residential users only for the benefit of the non-city residents.
Kurt wiII have Matt Wheeler get bids on the costs to fix the doors and address the plumbing and safety
issues at the swimming pool.
submitted,
Mark