January 5, 2012Print

WATER COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, January 5, 2012 – 5:30 p.m.
Chamber Room – Countryside City Hall
AGENDA

1.  Call to Order and Roll Call.

Chairman John Von Drasek

Member Michalczyk

Member Jasinski

2. Approval of December 14, 2011 meeting minutes.

3. Follow up discussion regarding water penalty waiver.

4. Discussion regarding Countryside water customers in Triangle Area.               

5. Follow up discussion regarding water rates for calendar year 2012.

6. Other Business.

7. Adjournment.

 MINUTES OF THE WATER COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE - CITY HALL
Thursday, January 5, 2012 – 5:30 pm.
CHAMBER ROOM

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

1. Meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M.  Those present: Acting Chair Michalczyk; Committee members: Jasinski. Absent:  Von Drasek  Also present:  McDermott. Adm. Paul, DPW Essig, Fin.Dir. Drazner, Water Plant Operator Hartigan.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

2. The minutes of the December 14, 2011 Water Committee meeting were approved as submitted.

FOLLOW UP DISCUSSION RE WATER PENALTY WAIVER

3. Fin. Dir. Drazner submitted his findings concerning any violations/citations issued to the property owner  (Basile) at 59th& Brainard.    Since no major problems were discovered, the Committee  recommended  that the penalty be reduced 50% as accrued through 12-31-11, with the condition that the payment be made by 1-31-12 or lien the property the full amount..  The Committee concurred. 

DISCUSSION RE TRIANGLE AREA RESIDENTS BEING LA GRANGE HIGHLANDS WATER CUSTOMERS

4. Fin. Dir. Drazner submitted his findings concerning water usage costs with La Grange Highlands rates compared with Countryside water rates.  He stated on a bi-monthly cycle a residential water customer who consumes anywhere between 3,000 to 7,500 gals per month, the         rate structure and billing under the Highlands is actually less than the City’s.  For a customer consuming less than 1,500 gals. per month (vacant) or in excess of 10,000 gals, there is a higher cost under the Highlands billing. He further explained that if adjustments be made to Highlands water customers paying more under their rates it would mainly be vacant properties. 

Ald. McDermott requested to rebate the difference that other residents pay. It was pointed out that other areas in the City are within two taxing bodies i.e. Pleasantdale Park District, and those residents would also like consideration. The Committee tabled request.

DISCUSSION re WATER RATES FOR 2012

5. The Committee reviewed the Options as submitted by the Fin. Director.  It was the consensus of the Water Committee to recommend Option 4 with increasing rates as follows: 

Residential – Single Family          7%

          Residential – multi family              7%

          Com’l/Industrial to 20K gallons     12%

          Com’l/Industrial over 20K               12%

          Indian Head Park                             14%

          La Grange Highlands                     14%

          This will be presented to the Council at their 1-11-12 meeting for action.

          OTHER BUSINESS: 

         6.  The Update on Water Main under Joliet Road.  The project is ready to be bid out, but the delay is IDOT acquiring easements to proceed.

         ADJOURNMENT

         7. Meeting adjourned at  6:15 pm.                                   

 _______________________                            

Date:                                                                        Karen Michalczyk, acting Chair