Alliance City Council

MINUTES OF JULY 6, 2009

WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE ALLIANCE CITY COUNCIL

The meeting was called to order by Clerk Yost in the absence of President Benincasa President Pro Tem Okey and at 6:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL: Alan Andreani, Roy Clunk, Phyllis Phillips, Roger Rhome, Sue Ryan, and Larry Thompson (Arrived at 6:05 PM) present.

Due to the absence of President Benincasa and President Pro Tem Okey, Clerk Yost called for nomination of a Presiding Councilman – Temporary President.

Motion and second to appoint Councilman Andreani as Temporary President / Presiding Councilman for the meeting. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.

Council Clerk Yost read the public notice.

Motion and second to excuse Councilman Okey out of town on due to a death in the family. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.

Motion and second to excuse President Benincasa out of town on family business. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.

Acting President Andreani opened the issue of Ordinance 49-09 up for discussion.

Councilwoman Ryan the intended purpose of the ordinance and fairness of application.

Councilwoman Phillips expressed support due to the water quality issue citizens had endured.

Councilman Rhome expressed opposition due to the water department efforts to fix the problem and the costs associated.

Councilman Clunk expressed concern over the precedent the issue would set.

Auditor Knowles and Director Blaser discussed the potential costs and the impact on the Water fund and bond financing.

Councilwoman Ryan expressed support for the water department and their efforts but also noted this could happen again if MIB levels rise and this ordinance is a method of helping residents in advance of another outbreak.

Councilman Thompson expressed support for the water department and their efforts but supports the ordinance and disputed the cost calculations stating not all customers will utilize the program.

Councilwoman Phillips expressed an need to show support to the community for their patience in the matter.

Councilman Andreani expressed a concern over the precedent set for handling unforeseeable events and discussed the effectiveness of a filter to accommodate MIB problems. Also expressed concern over the affect program will have on the water plant loan/bond covenants.

Councilman Rhome expressed concern if residents utilize the program to purchase items for their existing systems rather than as intended to assist residents without to provide a system and noted a belief there would be undue burdens placed on the billing department to determine what are qualified purchases.

Councilman Thompson addressed what are “qualified purchases” in the ordinance and the ability to readily determine the issue.

Councilman Andreani expressed a concern over the precedent set for handling issues in other city departments and the view of Council fixing department problems by giving money away. Also discussed the ability of existing filter owners to “stockpile” filter cartridges at city expense possibly utilizing neighbors who don’t have systems and would not otherwise cost the city anything on the program.

Councilman Rhome expressed that he only got one individual complaint and questioned if there was an overwhelming need for the program. Also discussed how best to address the odor and taste problem

Councilman Andreani expressed concern over any possible solution and the related costs. Also discussed the difference between safety in the drinking water and aesthetics of the smell and taste.

Councilman Clunk expressed that he got no actual complaints of the odor and smell and questioned the need to spend Money on this situation that may not be as bad as is being expressed.

Councilman Thompson discussed the definition of “Residential Water Account” as set forth in the ordinance.

Auditor Knowles discussed the letter from bond council Squires and Sanders and how our bond covenants are being affected.

Director Blaser discussed the situation with the water fund and rate study necessary to comply with the bond covenants.

Clerk Yost read a letter from President Benincasa in his absence addressing the issues related to water quality and the aspects of Ordinance 49-09.

ADJOURNMENT: Noting no further business to come before this Council at the workshop session, President Benincasa adjourned the workshop meeting at 6:55 P.M.