Saturday, February 03, 2007

Woolpert Study for Consolidating Wastewater Systems for DCRSD

Woolpert Study for Consolidating Wastewater Systems for DCRSD

Woolpert presented their report to the public at a special DCRSD meeting 25 January 2007 at 7 PM. This is a summary of
points of interest in that report.

[NOTE: Woolpert is one of a select group of consultants who have NOT shown up on any campaign finance sheets
for local candidates. This is at least one indication that this company was chosen without any monetary strings to local officials.
Other consultants who have contributed to local candidates in the past include: The Vieste report (Vieste, Level 5 Engineering, PSA Dewberry), the financial firm for the capital plan (London Witte), the jail study (RQAW), the courthouse renovation (Siemens), the EMS building design plan (DLZ), and county lobbyists (Barnes and Thornburgh, etc), have all shown up on various political candidate finance forms as contributors. At least Woolpert’s selection as a consultant seems to have occurred without conflict of interest.
There are issues with the projections of development based on master plan maps that were still in draft phases. The DCRSD Board also seemed to be steering this plan away from some possibly more logical and cost effective ways to handle some of these areas. This may account for the cost of the study and also the selection of certain alternatives or the lack of consideration given to other options at all, particularly along the Guilford plan area and the High Ridge area.]

Though its title indicates consolidation was studied, it does not recommend consolidation in the report. Woolpert studied several alternatives on some areas and less on others. They made a final recommendation on each of the 4 areas needing or eventually needing sewers. Total cost of the study was $170,000.
[NOTE: Woolpert Study was to be finished in Sept 2006. The NW Quadrant was added to the study.]

Page 1 of the report says: “County officials stated the overriding goal for the project was to develop a centralized public sewer agency that would have authority, financial capability, and staff to plan, operate, and administer public wastewater facilities throughout Dearborn County.”

The 3 main updated goals of the study were listed on page 3:
1. Provide wastewater collection and treatment where there are public health concerns and where water quality is impaired.
2. Accommodate economic development, providing wastewater collection and treatment facilities for proposed and planned areas of commercial development.
3. Document the advantages and disadvantages of administrative and physical consolidation of existing sewer districts.

Woolpert lists existing sewer treatment areas and their capacities and problems. They recognized that the existing plants probably could not be physically consolidated.

The 4 areas studied were High Ridge Estates, Guilford, the W Harrison TIF, and the NW Quadrant.

Because of topography issues (hilly terrain) some type of pressurized system is necessary in many areas. This would be a localized system of small gravity sewers flowing into a pump station or a grinder pump/pressure sewer system. Lifetime costs and capital costs were both considered in the evaluation.

Woolpert used the Master Plan’s guiding principles, picking out the ones that were noteworthy for their study. They also used the existing land use map. (see pages 7 and 8)
The projection of future land use however was illustrated with a map from the Master Plan Advisory Committee work that is not final and has not been commented upon by the public. Page 9 notes: “ that this map “became a critical guide for projecting the locations of future development and the need for future wastewater systems service areas.”
Woolpert then suggested a modified development pattern shown on their map in Appendix B.

Woolpert went on to get population projections by township for 2020 and 2030 but it is unclear why the percentages vary so widely between townships. Jackson Township has the highest population growth rates at 3% per year from 2000-2020 and 2% per year from 2020-2030. [NOTE: Are they figuring increased people due to increased commercial/industrial growth?] Logan and Miller are the next highest percentages.

Woolpert’s maps left a large area out of the sewer business – Manchester Township and parts of York and Hogan predominantly. They are apparently slated for low density and Ag.

The 3 TIF districts have the following amounts of available acreage listed in the report:
Aurora TIF has 725 acres open for FUTURE industrial use.
W. Harrison TIF has about 300 acres available to develop.
The St. Leon TIF- acreage available not listed.
The NW Quadrant has over 5000 acres with about 4000 developable.

[NOTE: There may be some issues with IDEM allowing these WWTP along Tanner’s Creek where flow rates at various times of the year might be a significant issue with pollution.]

The final Wastewater system capital projects recommendations and their costs are:
1. High Ridge Estates and US 50 Corridor conveyed to a NEW local treatment plant- $2,626,700
2. Guilford Community and new REGIONAL treatment plant at SR1 and Pribble- $12,941,000
3. W Harrison TIF- feed to St. Leon plant - $1,370,000
4. NW Quadrant- plant at Trackville and SR46 - $9,750,000
TOTAL Capital costs (NOT operating costs)- $26,688,400

Sewer rate and tap in figures across the county vary widely and are shown in a chart on page 36 of the report.

Financing options mentioned include:
Development Block Grants
Rural Development Program
Federal earmarking of projects on Congressional legislation, State of IN revolving loan program for WWTP improvement projects
Grants or loans from local entities.

There are 60 days to comment on this report (60 days from 25 January) Comments should be addressed to the DCRSD in care of Doug Baer at the Health Dept at the County Adm Bldg, 215 West High Street, Lawrenceburg IN, 47025. Reports are available in the county libraries for viewing, and copies (both digital and hard copy) can be obtained at the DCRSD office or through the county administrator, Bryan Messmore.

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

NOTE: Woolpert is one of a select group of consultants who have NOT shown up on any campaign finance sheets for local candidates.

Sad, that is their "stand-out" qualification!

But God bless them!

Anonymous said...

Though its title indicates consolidation was studied, it does not recommend consolidation in the report.

Time for "hemming and hawing" and calls for maybe another report.

Maybe, when we elect a few new commisioners, they could bring in other experts?

By the way, props to Commissioner Hughes for waking up to public comments at public meetings!!!

And the era of Ralph begins!!!

Anonymous said...

The DCRSD Board also seemed to be steering this plan away from some possibly more logical and cost effective ways to handle some of these areas.

Could the "steering" be towards places like some "conflicted" members' 120 lot subdivisions?

Anonymous said...

"props to Commissioner Hughes for waking up to public comments at public meetings!!!"

Commissioner Hughes is the only one of Benning/Fox/Hughes administration who had signs of a heart for the "average" citizen.

Anonymous said...

I always though Hughes just got caught up between the two megalomaniacs: Vera---Fox.

I think he is a regular guy at heart...no delusions of grandeur, such as exhibited by Benning.

Anonymous said...

"The DCRSD Board also seemed to be steering this plan away from some possibly more logical and cost effective ways to handle some of these areas."

Leapfrogging to fit the needs of realtors/developers/bankers/title attorneys, over the well-being and interests of the "common" citizen?

Anonymous said...

User fees, or impact fees, would go a long way in solving this problem, but then again, the "common" citizen's pocketbook would not be available to cushion the costs of other, more "connected" citizens of our dear county!

Anonymous said...

Whenever I hear some Dearborn County politician or board member, talking about "minimizing" costs, it almost always seems to involve "my" money to "minimize" costs for the likes of Maxwell, Tucker, Linkmeyer, Fehrman and so on!

Anonymous said...

Raise your hands if you heard the same anecdotal story about the wrecker driver, hip deep in raw sewage, while winching a car out of a ditch. Major septic tank failure!!!

I have heard this same story from 3 different, “RINO” or “Taxpayer Welfare for the Wealthy and Connected” republicans!

Anonymous said...

Though its title indicates consolidation was studied, it does not recommend consolidation in the report.

And one member of the DCRSD board pointed out to Woolpert that maybe they might want to reconsider not recommending consolidation, due to his personal research and findings and his parents's business close geographical location next to a "National Fried Chicken Chain!!!

Anonymous said...

When development exceeds capacity, the folks left behind are left with an extensive, expensive mess!



http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070125/NEWS01/701250367/

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2005/2005-04-13-05.asp



Well, at least the Chamber of Commerce was pleased with the initial profit of local business men, in the beginning at least. But when the real demand for payments come due, well…

And like most Chamber members, 10 years down the road, after calamity sets in, they will not be able to be “reached for comment,” at their condos in Florida!!!

Anonymous said...

This is precisely why we formulated the "Comprehensive Plan," to avoid other municipalities mistakes!

But, of course, short term profits, for the politically connected, are prevailing here!

But, we have now have Christine, muckraker extraordinaire!

Christine deserves more than a wink and a nod by the “powers that be.”

She is democracy in action!!!

And you are all now, in real time, being held accountable!!!

Anonymous said...

When development exceeds capacity...

Oh, for the good ole days, when Commissioner Benning's only response, to any and all development, would be:

I think that would be wonderful for the county!!!

Anonymous said...

Dearborn County is a growing comunity and in order to support the growth you have to take the steps to ensure the stability of the county by creating jobs and building more efficient roads and water systems. So I support the NW quadrient on the note that all of the land is bought and sold voluntarily not taken, I think it would overall be a benifit for the entire county (AT LEAST IT'S NOT A HOUSING COMPLEX)

Anonymous said...

Growth and progress are relative, subjective terms.

As far as a "taking," that is a subjective term also.

Ask the folks up in St. Leon.

The next few elections will be very interesting...for the informed.

I think there will be a lot of "informing" happening the next few years, relative to defining what is, and what is not, progress, on both sides of this debate.

Anonymous said...

If you love Northgate, you will love Eastgate...If you love Eastgate, you will love Tri-County...If you love Tri-County, you will love Kenwood...If you love Kenwood, you will love Lakota...If you love Lakota...Then you will love the new and improved Dearborn County!!!

How unique!!!

Yeah, that’s progress!!!

You folks are definitely filling a void with a product that does not exist anywhere else!!!

Have you all thought up any “catchy” slogans yet?

How about:

DEARBORN COUNTY: NO LONGER A PLACE TO RUN TO, IN ESCPAPE FROM THE MUNDANE SUBURBS…SOON TO BE A PLACE TO RUN FROM, IN ESCAPE FROM THE MUNDANE SUBURBS

I would wager that the Philistines had their fair share of MBAs and Realtor licenses permeating their culture also!!!

Anonymous said...

"Dearborn County is a growing community...

But Dearborn County is not being permitted to grow at a normal, evolving pace.

The new money changers demand that the growth be in leaps and bounds, steamrolling residents in between the leaps.

Gradual, more natural, growth has been tossed to the way side by politically connected realtors and developers, buying up property, miles and miles away from existing infrastructure, and then demanding those poor folks, in-between, to finance and subsidize their speculations. Using the force of government to do their negotiating for them.

Some parts of Dearborn County are only “growing” at the point of a gun

Anonymous said...

"Dearborn County is a growing community..."

May I propose that those who crave growth do so at their own expense and expenditure, via impact and user fees?

I know the "power tie" folks would rather gamble with other peoples' money.

But us "other people" are starting to put up a fight!

And we are both educated and resourceful!

Anonymous said...

Elections! Elections! Elections!

Yeah, that’s the ticket!

Particularly now that the power brokers in the local republican party have pissed away all influence, to a point of irrelevancy!

Back-office politics has become a lonely place for those left behind in the back-office!

Anonymous said...

These “leaps and bounders” are analogous to bank robbers putting a gun to the head of an innocent bystander, demanding he drive the getaway car and then proclaiming he, the innocent bystander, wanted to be part of the original criminal plan all along.

Criminal “progress," so to speak!”

Anonymous said...

Elections! Elections! Elections!

Thompson beat two political machines...and no offense to Thompson...it was not due to force of personality...but due to force of competence and message!

Somebody on the DCEDI better wake up to that message???!

Anonymous said...

"Somebody on the DCEDI better wake up to that message???!"

I'm in no doubt, they are having little Ms. L draft a letter of understanding, proclaiming Thompson ineligible for public office for failure to pay his $5,000 dollar DCEDI dues and not subjecting himself to DCEDI fraternity hazing, or as long term members refer to it as:

ETHICAL CLEANSING!

Anonymous said...

While the DCEDI would never have Christine Brauer Mueller as member…I’m sure they are appreciative to her for pointing out the lack of efficacy of some of DCEDI’s more vocal and billing members!

Anonymous said...

"Criminal “progress," so to speak!”

How many folks up around St. Leon would have not connected to the sewers but for Watson's legal "guns" aimed at their heads?

Anonymous said...

Thompson beat two political machines...

Thompson was the choice of the “rank and file” republicans in the primary.

But, apparently, those in local republican leadership only like to use the phrase:

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!!! (only when the RIGHT PEOPLE have spoken, $5,000 dollars a piece, RIGHT PEOPLE !)


And let us not forget the words of this County’s number one hypocrite and wooden nickel:

She stated that taxpayers voted them in and that they were going to make economic growth a priority. Using the Biblical quote that a house divided against itself will not stand, she stated that it was imperative that the team pull together and that they intended to move forward in a positive and fair manner.


So, again, apparently, those that voted for Thompson, were not taxpayers?

Who would have known!!! Go figure!!!

The day after Thompson's primary, our Republican "Wooden Nickle" got on the phone and called a democrat and stated that it was imperative that the (RINO) team pull together and defeat the will of the people.

What a charmer!!!

Anonymous said...

Wooden Nickel: ”…to move forward in a positive and fair manner."

Obviously, a positive and fair manner can only happen for Wooden Nickel when "she" is holding court, handing down commandments from her throne to the peasants.

Anonymous said...

From and earlier thread:

Economic development issues in Dearborn County have prompted media attention in recent days.

And the most striking thing about said attention?

The total lack of inclusion by the DCEDI of the "common" citizen, where such proposals by the DCEDI would have profound effects on the common citizen’s life and lifestyle.

Message to the DCEDI:

Don’t feign to be working in the best interests of the county, when you refuse to open yourselves up to the very same citizens of the very same county. Your veneer continues to sheer credibility, each and every day.

WE are the county! And we vote!

Anonymous said...

Diametrically because of the DCEDI’s arrogance and ham-fisted treatment of the “common” citizens of this county, the next few elections and winning candidates, are going to make the DCEDI wax for the good ole days of the developer friendly, by comparison, Commissioner Thompson!

And the DCEDI has no one to blame but themselves, their attorneys and representatives.

The DCEDI was suckered in by charlatans, boasting and blustering, the these charlatans had total and complete control over the political process.

Remember what Admiral Yamamoto said after the attack on pearl harbor:


"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve." (after the attack, once he knew they didn't hit the carriers)

The DCEDI missed the carriers!!!

Anonymous said...

And "Wooden Nickel" was the biggest bomb that missed its mark!

Anonymous said...

And the DCEDI has no one to blame but themselves, their attorneys and representatives.

Are these the same attorneys and representatives, who, when asked about the poor countians who are being forced onto sewers to support DCEDI members’ developments, that the poor countians should just go to DCEDI’s bankers and get loans to pay for them?

Wonderful, wonderful, Christian, civic minded folks!!! Looking out for “our” best interests!!!

Are those the same attorneys and representatives?

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, wonderful, Christian, civic minded folks!!! Looking out for “our” best interests!!!

Don’t be surprised when the DCEDI publicly pats DCEDI members on their DCEDI backs and hand out DCEDI certificates of appreciation to their DCEDI members for the DCEDI members civic mindedness in DCEDI condoned activities!

Said DCEDI ceremonies will be closed to the public by order of the DCEDI!!!

Anonymous said...

The DCEDI missed the carriers!!!

The U.S.S. Ralph Thompson has just returned back to port.

Purpose:

Taking on more crew and munitions.

Anonymous said...

Dearborn County is a growing comunity and in order to support the growth you have to take the steps to ensure the stability of the county by creating jobs and building more efficient roads and water systems.

And if that takes blackmailing and extorting the current residents to do so...then so be it!

It is criminal!

Pal, you need to take real hard, cynical look around and see what's happening to all the non-politically connected citizens of this once, honest county!