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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-08-13 spec 4.93 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION BOZEMAN, MONT ANA August 13, 1981 *********************** I The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in special session in the Community Room, Gallatin County Courthouse, August 13, 1981, at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor MacNab, Commissioner Vollmer, Commissioner Stiff, Commissioner Swanson, Commissioner Mathre and the Clerk. Signing of the Notice of the Special Meeting The Mayor requested that each of the Commissioners sign the Notice of Special Com- mission Meeting, for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on the proposed sewer rate increases. Each Commissioner in turn signed the Notice. Mayor MacNab opened the meeting and stated that all City Commissioners were present. The Mayor also appointed Commissioner Vollmer as Pro-Tempore during the hearing and the closing of the Special Commission meeting. Public hearing - proposed sewer rate increases Mayor MacNab turned the meeting over to Mr. J. Robert Planalp, the Hearing Exam~ I iner. Mr. Planalp requested that the record show that all five of the City Commissioners were present for the hearing. The Hearing Examiner then read a portion of the Notice of Public Hearing which had been mailed to all sewer utility users. He stated that a copy had also been sent to the Montana Consumer Council in Helena, Montana. The Hearing Examiner then registered the following persons for the testimony portion of the public hearing. Attorney on behalf of the City Sewer Utility Division: Mr. William E. O'Leary Attorney at Law 4G Arcade Building Helena, Montana 59601 Protestants: No one was present to register as a Protestant. Interested Parties: Dr. John Parker 1612 South Tracy Avenue The Hearing Examiner then asked if anyone had any preliminary actions, such as Motions. I No preliminary actions were received. Mayor MacNab was excused from the remainder of the meeting. Mr. O'Leary stated that the official records of the City of Bozeman indicate that the last sewer rate increase imposed on the users of the sewer system occurred in March 1975. --49~ Mr. O'Leary requested that the Hearing Examiner and the City Commission take judi- cial notice of several documents. He also submitted six exhibits for the City Commission to consider. No one protested the judicial notices or any of the exhibits. Mr. O'Leary then called the following witnesses on behalf of the City of Bozeman Sewer Utility Division. I Witnesses: Mr. Tom Thomas Thomas, Dean and Hoskins 1200 - 25th Street South Great Falls, Montana Mr. Arthur W. Van't Hul City Engineer City of Bozeman P.O. Box 640 Bozeman, Montana The Hearing Examiner then asked both witnesses to take the witness's oath. Mr. Tom Thomas presented his testimony and showed the City Commission two charts, one indicating the estimated revenue with the increased sewer rates, as compared to the test year 1980, and a chart showing three pie charts, indicating the present portion of revenue for each class of customer, the estimated use of each class of customer, and the portion each class would be paying under the new rate structure. Mr. O'Leary presented to the City Commission a copy of the rules and regulations proposed for use in day-to-day business conducted by the City of Bozeman Sewer Utility Division. Mr. Arthur Van't Hul then presented his testimony. I Mr. O'Leary then stated to the Hearing Examiner that the witnesses' testimonies for the Sewer Utility Division were completed. No Protestants appeared to speak. Ms. Peg Hines, 1011 East Curtiss, asked if the new Waste Water Treatment Plant will be able to accommodate growth within the city. The City Engineer stated that EPA has allowed a population growth of up to 36,800 total people. The City has requested a plant large enough to accommodate 52,000, but the EPA lowered that number. Ms. Mary Van't Hull, 1115 South Grand, stated that she has observed unmetered residents wasting water and telling metered neighbors to use their water for irrigation pur- poses. She asked if it would not be more fair to charge them a higher rate than the metered customers for thei r sewer. Mr. Thomas stated that he had figured the unmetered sewer charges at a 25% higher rate than the metered charges, because of the fact that unmetered residences tend to waste more water than metered residences. Hearing Examiner Planalp stated that this concluded the hearing on the proposed sewer rate increases and returned the meeting to Commissioner Vollmer at 8: 1 0 p. m. I Mr. John Parker, 1612 South Tracy, stated that he wished to commend the City Com- mission and administration for preparing the proposal. He stated that a lot of work is created and frustration felt because of the steps required for this increase. He stated that, from a citizen's viewpoint, it seems to be a reasonable, intelligent way in which to come into compliance with federal mandates. Mr. Parker also feels that the people living along the 4-95 East Gallatin River are entitled to cleaner water than they have now. Mr. Parker also stated that he feels that the community can afford to pay for these services I including the in- creases. Commissioner Vollmer thanked Mr. Parker. I Adjournment - 8:15 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time I it was moved by Commissioner Stiff I seconded by Commissioner Swanson I that the meeting be ad- journed. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Stiff I Commissioner Swanson I Commissioner Mathre and Commissioner Vollmer; those voting No I none. Hearing Officer ATTEST: Clerk of the Commission I I