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Home My WebLink About11-28-1983 MinutesMINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 1983 CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 8 00 P M by E A Snider, Mayor ROLL CALL By City Clerk Councilmen present were Susan Boothe, Charles Grigg, Ira Schmidt, E A Snider, Joe Jackson and Emerson Morgan Councilperson Beverly Green was absent from the meeting (excused) Also present were Lee Kraft, City Manager, Greg Rubstello, City Attorney, Diane Dolan, Director of Finance/Administrative Services, James Ajax, Director of Public Works, Gary Crutchfield, Director of Community Development, Jerry C Conner, Accounting Supervisor, and Cos Edwards, Customer Service Representative PUBLIC HEARING MAYOR SNIDER DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN FOR CITIZEN INPUT REGARDING PROPOSED WATER/SEWER RATE INCREASE The Hearing had been duly publicized as required by law There were no written communications Mr James Ajax, Director of Public Works, opened hearing by giving a brief history of water treatment plant He reiterated that City Code requires staff to keep the council aware of where the Water/Sewer utility stands financially on a periodic basis plant Our present treatment was built in 1948, expanded to double its capacity in 1956, and now, most components have served their time (electrical, mechanical and hydraulic) and need to be replaced He produced an in-depth study of our facility that stated our plant would be running out of capacity by 1983 Due to growing population, we need to produce more water To update our facility, it would cost approximately $2 million dollars At the present time, we have about $1,600,000 (from regular water rates and grants), which leaves us approximately $400,000 short Mr Ajax displayed a chart showing two and three year rates which would automatically self destruct at the end of that period This would enable the City to pay cash for project instead of selling bonds over a 15-year period and costing taxpayers much more money Senior citizens presently receiving reduced water/sewer rate would not be affected by proposed increase The charge would appear as a separate item on the billing Mr Leonard Dietrich asked how much interest was involved on 3-year plan Mr Ajax replied that we would be hard pressed for interest earnings offsetting amount borrowed, further, any additional earnings would go go cost overruns and not interest On 3-year plan, we would have to purchase interim financing, therefore, a 2-year plan would appear more suitable Mr John Howard asked how come Franklin County residents were assessed 50% surcharge Mr Ajax replied that present facility was designed to serve citizens of Pasco and paid for by City residents If service is extended to outlying areas, the most recent, highest incremental cost has to be borne by citizens receiving this service Surcharges are not limited to Pasco, but common throughout the State to offset increased costs Mr Sterl Adams supported upgrading of water treatment plant and favored 2-year plan Mr Andy Johnson supported 2-year plan, but had reservations on 50% surcharge assessed against Riverview residents He felt this entire area should be annexed Councilman Grigg replied that the present City Council had not aggressively pursued annexation in this area in view of opposition several years ago However, the City would welcome any petition requesting annexation Mr Ajax wanted the record to show that on a 3/4 meter (2-year plan), the charge is $2 02 per month Further, the larger the meter, the larger the surcharge (At the present time, the City bills bi-monthly, therefore, bill would be $4 04) MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 1983 PUBLIC HEARING - Continued Following three (3) calls for further comments from the floor, either for or against, the public hearing was declared closed ORDINANCE NO 2480 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING A SURCHARGE ON WATER RATES, CREATING A WATER FILTRATION PLANT IMPROVEMENT FUND AND ADDING CHAPTER 13 21 PMC Ordinance No 2480 was read by title only Mr Grigg moved to adopt Ordinance No 2480, which, if passed, has the effect of placing an extra monthly charge on all water users for two years, for the purpose of generating $400,000 with an equal number of billings to all active water service accounts from the surcharge billing, whichever event first occurs, and shall not be included on water service billings thereafter for the upgrading of Water Treatment Plant Seconded by Mr Schmidt Motion carried by roll call vote of six (6) RECESS 8 45 P M RECONVENED 9 00 P M MAYOR SNIDER RECONVENED BLOCK GRANT HEARING OF NOVEMBER 21, 1983, FOR FINAL VOTE OF COUNCIL Mr Gary Crutchfield reported he had received a call from H U D this week, increasing Block Grant Funds from $285,000 to $350,000 After careful deliberation, staff recommends the following Volunteer Park LID $150,000 LID Assistance Program 70,000 Housing Rehabilitation Program 50,000 Revolving Abatement Fund 15,000 Mercier Park, Phase II 30,000 Administration 35,000 $350,000 Concern was raised on how much expense the City would incur should the Housing Authority, School District and Railroad land be exempt from Volunteer Park L I D Councilman Grigg was supportive of badly needed L I D in this area but had reservations about City participation Councilman Morgan felt the City owed residents of this area the same quality of life as other parts of Pasco, therefore, we should take a chance Mr Wilbert Butcher asked if the same criteria was being used today as in 1981 and 1982 Staff replied affirmative Mr Joe Balthazor supported Volunteer Park L I D and L I D assistance program as a viable means of helping people Councilman Grigg felt the $150,000 would be better spent if it went to various service clubs which assisted all people At this time, Mr Crutchfield reiterated to the Council that this particular area had only 21% property owners, and 79% are absentee landlords Without some type of assistance, he had serious reservations that an L I D would pass in this area Mrs Billie Cain asked Mr Crutchfield if he felt $70,000 was a realistic figure as far as L I D assistance was concerned Mr Crutchfield replied that it was the best he could come up with (using computer print-out of outstanding L I D assessments) Mr Henry Kidwell favored $1,500 for Domestic Violence Program as a "real bargain " MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 1983 BLOCK GRANT HEARING - Continued Mr Schmidt moved to adopt the following use -of 1984 CDBG funds 1 Volunteer Park LID $150,000 2 LID Assistance Program 70,000 3 Housing Rehabilitation Program 50,000 4 Revolving Abatement Fund 15,000 5 Mercier Park, Phase II 30,000 6 Administration 35,000 $350,000 Seconded by Mr Morgan Motion carried by the following roll call vote YES Schmidt, Snider, Jackson and Morgan NO Grigg & Boothe ADJOURNMENT No further business, Mr Morgan moved that special meeting be adjourned Seconded by Mrs Boothe Meeting adjourned at 9 40 P M E A Snider, Mayor PASSED and APPROVED this 1ay o , 1983