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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-21 Utiltiies Minutes City of Tukwila Utilities Committee UTILITIES COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes October 21, 2013 5:00 p.m. Conference Room 1 PRESENT (Absent: Verna Seal) Councilmembers: Joe Duffie, Chair; Dennis Robertson, Allan Ekberg Staff: Kimberly Matej, Bob Giberson, Frank Iriarte, Gail Labanara, Pat Brodin, Ryan Larson, Mike Cusick, Robin Tischmak, Peggy McCarthy and Laurel Humphrey CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair Duffie called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Water, Sewer, and Surface Water Rates for 2014 Staff is seeking Council approval of a resolution adopting a new Public Works fee schedule to update water, sewer, and surface water rates for 2014. Committee packets include rate comparison charts for adjoining cities for each type. Water. After analyzing the needs of the water enterprise fund, staff is proposing a 5% increase from $14.00 to $15.00 for single-family and multi-family residential customers, a consumption charge increase of $0.14 - $0.20 per 100 cubic feet of water for multi-family, and a consumption charge increase of $0.20 - $0.26 per 100 cubic feet of water for commercial/industrial zones. The proposed increase will maintain the current level of service and lessen the impact of future increases for purchased water. Cascade Water Alliance wholesale rates are projected to increase 5.1% for 2014. Sewer. The sewer fund is in very good shape, currently at 96% of expected revenues. Staff is proposing a 10% increase from $23.10 to $25.40 per month for single-family and multi-family residential customers, and from $40.48 to $44.52 for commercial/industrial service (with additional charges for usage over 750 cubic feet). King County is not increasing its rate for sewage disposal fees in 2014, remaining $39.79 per residential equivalent per month. The King County sewage treatment capacity charge will increase from $53.50 to $55.35 per month. Staff noted that this is a middle of the road approach, and increasing the rate by a higher percentage could allow more sliplining work to be completed sooner (CBD Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation in the Capital Improvement Program). Committee members were in favor of this idea and asked that a 15% rate increase be prepared for Committee of the Whole discussion. Surface Water . Staff is proposing a 10% increase from $107 to $118 per residential parcel per year, and an increase to $142.22 to $1,188.86 per 4,356 square foot for commercial/industrial. rface water rate is lower than adjoining cities. Councilmember Ekberg noted this is a tricky rate to explain to residents and staff noted there was an informative article in the Tukwila Reporter. Committee members expressed interest in receiving a future briefing on the implementation of a robust water quality inspection program and staff concurred that EPA requirements are likely to get stricter in the coming years. In addition to setting the utility rates outlined above, the proposed resolution removes the Public Works development permit fees, as those fees are represented in a new DCD resolution under separate UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO OCTOBER 28 consideration by the Council. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. Utilities Committee Minutes October 21, 2013 Page 2 B. Bid Award - Sewer Repair at 6450 Southcenter Boulevard Staff is seeking Council approval to award a bid to Green River Construction, Inc. in the amount of $34,164.00 for the repair of the sanitary sewer line near 6450 Southcenter Boulevard. Staff discovered an indeterminate blockage while recently cleaning and jetting the sewer line, which caused the hose to be stuck and subsequently cut free. The blockage is going to be cleared by installing a new manhole at the point where the hose is stuck. One possible cause is damage caused by the installation of fiber optic lines in that area, and if that is the cause the City will file a claim for damages. The sewer line must be repaired now so that sewer service can be maintained. Green River Construction was selected due to a low quote and UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO OCTOBER 28 successful work for the City in the past. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. III. MISCELLANEOUS Meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m. Next meeting: Monday, November 4, 2013 5:00 p.m. Conf. Room No. 1. Committee Chair Approval Minutes by LH. Reviewed by GL.