Submitted by Ralph Thompson
Commissioner District 3
Washington Township
The following notes are provided in an effort to record the transactions of the meeting without editorial comment, except clarification of events.
19 July 2007 DCRSD Meeting Notes
Present: Chairman, Hankins (MH), Enzweiler (DE), Pruss (BP), Dennerline (RD), and Adams (JA). Maxwell and Fehrman were not present.
Also Present: Quinn (TQ), Quinn Engineering; Benning (VB), Secretary; Frank Kramer (FK), Board Attorney; Robert Hrezo, Hrezo Engineering; Woolpert representative; Chuck Andres; 2 others and Ralph Thompson.
Secretary, Doug Baer, Health Dept. was absent due to wife's recent heart attack.
Meeting started at approximately 7:00 PM in the Commissioner's Meeting Room. Meeting was not recorded.
Meeting Notes
Meeting Notes for June 17, 2007 approved (Several people were talking and it was difficult to determine who moved and seconded).
SDRSD
On July 10, 2007, SDRSD held a scheduled Board meeting. Dennerline, Fehrman and Kramer attended that meeting. SDRSD had formed a subcommittee regarding DCRSD's membership in SDRSD. SDRSD indicated they would offer a non voting, planning seat to the County.SDRSD sent a letter to Mr. Kramer. The letter offers a non voting seat to the County, not DCRSD and will not work through DCRSD to serve new customers adjacent to SDRSD's borders, as they feel one district serving customers through another is duplication and not to the advantage of the customers. Kramer had presented a copy of SDRSD's letter to the Board members. A copy of the SDRSD letter is appended to these notes (see below).
West Aurora Project
Discussion on the proposed package treatment plant at the old Walston's trailer court. "It's time to move forward with planning. This is the most expeditious way to move forward." A copy of Woolpert's study should be sent to IDEM for permitting. (Note: In a prior meeting DCRSD had decided to ignore Woolpert recommendation for a package treatment plant and negotiate with Dillsboro for sewage to be handled by Dillsboro. Dillsboro indicated they would serve Highridge Estates, but would not serve areas outside their water district including the proposed Gabbard Estates subdivision - the land on the south side of US 50 where Brett Fehrman's realty sign is displayed.) To amend the discharge permit, a full set of design documents will be needed. It is easier to amend an existing permit than obtain a new one. To avoid delay they need to move forward.
The question was asked "What was needed to go to the Lawrenceburg Bond Bank and IDEM for a December permit?" A complete set of plans and how to pay it would be needed. They had a proposal from Quinn Engineering from the last meeting. DE: I thought we were going to send it out for an RFP. RD:What's the quickest way to turn it around? The purpose of an RFP was to get competitive bids for such a large project. ( Note: At the last meeting this was preferred to show an above board process and TQ's proposal was asked to be kept confidential to allow him to compete - even though the proposal was a public document since it had been submitted to the Board.) RD: That would delay the project. Do we have to do that (an RFP)? FK: Professional services do not have to be bid.
The discussion continued on whether to put out an RFP or proceed with TQ. Chuck Andres (CA) said from the audience, they should contact RCAP(?) regarding help. The question was asked if RCAP had worked locally. CA: RCAP has worked in neighboring counties. VB: Met with Susan Craig(?) - no way they can help right now; but, will continue searching(?). RD: Need to proceed, to move forward with plans and permit; but, not construction. Start design. We don't have a clue on getting money from anybody. Someday the state will come down on Highridge Estates.
RD moved to proceed, JA seconded. All aye except DE. TQ was asked how long to complete. TQ: Four months to complete design and amendment to discharge permit to NPDES. Proposal was not available for amount. VB offered to get a copy. Postponed till later in the meeting.
Serenity Ridge
LMH has forwarded concerns on the revised contract to DCRSD. No signed contract and rates yet. FK drafted a letter to the residents missing the information from LMH. RD wanted to know about maintenance. Should they contract with LMH? or charge individuals? MH: Maintenance of the line will be up to DCRSD. Underground Utility Repair Corp. will be used. He has a schedule of charges.
Not sure how to bill monthly. Could DCRSD master meter? TQ: Would cost more to measure low flow and it is very inaccurate. It was suggested to use water bills. TriTown Water(?) can provide the usage. Average design flows are 310 GPD (gallons per day). Need to get back in touch with Jay (or Jake) (?) to get precise numbers. TQ: Need to add individual house connection charge (tap in fee). FK: Separate tap in charges? TQ: Yes, the cost is the construction cost divided by the number or houses, approximately $8,000. RD: Money must be in the bank to start construction. It was noted that some may have to contribute more initially to get the project going if everyone did not participate. They would get rebates later as others joined and paid. Would waive tap in fee for construction charge. Need to contact property Owners to make arrangements to pick up the information.
TQ has submitted a $5,000 proposal to proceed with construction administration. Didn't have a copy of the proposal available from the last meeting present at this meeting. VB offered to get it. TQ: Bid next week (for construction?), even though we don't have the LMH contract.
Need collection and maintenance costs. Will an inter-governmental agreement be needed with the water company to provide the numbers (water usage). No, but TTW will not bill. Can Tucker bill for sewage? MH: DCRSD will have to send out bills .With the small number (18) DCRSD can handle the billing in house. Board decided to leave it to MH's discretion as to when to bring in the Homeowners.
St. Leon
Build out of the St. Leon waste water treatment plant (WWTP) was next on the agenda. MH was asked to again talk to Council about funding for 130,000 GPD share of capacity. DCRSD's cost: $2.4 million or $155,000 per year. This would allow them to provide service to development in the north. They would need to be hard enough about capacity charges to set up capital improvement fund and repay Council. Should they pay lump sum ($2.4M) or annual. Lump sum would save about $200,000 in interest. That doesn't cover annual treatment costs. Should they go back to Council? Want to move forward; but, how to repay Council. Don't have any customers. RD: If a 200 or 500 home subdivision comes in will they have tap in fees? MH: DCRSD can develop own fee schedule, don't know what amounts now. They tried to do as an investment in the future; but, the TIF districts could be a flop. How will they pay it back then. "DCRSD will be holding the barrel." " Without customers, there is no sense spending the money." There will be a long amortization period. Need to know conditions up front.
MH then said to Ralph Thompson (RT) in the audience, that last time he went before Council RT had a lot to say. Has RT changed his stance? RT: With the current constitution of the Board and members, I have not changed my opinion. MH: Would you care to elaborate? RT: No.
New Business
SEIRPC as a possible source of funds?
Claims
DE(?) moved to pay claims, JA seconded. Approved.
West Aurora Project
DE left to get a copy of the Quinn Engineering proposal for the West Aurora Project.
Quinn Engineering's proposal for design is $116,000 with 10% retainage(?).
At this point, MH and DE had quiet discussion that could not be overheard from the audience.
MH: We were talking about the WWTP proposal. It (the proposal?) lacks definition for certain design costs, surveying and site preparation. It lacks specificity to site preparation costs, construction costs. TQ: The proposal does not include construction services.
DE: Is site feasible? MH: GRW had evaluated (before they were replaced). There is site prep(aration) needed and a road from US 50 for service or from Lower Dillsboro Rd. That access is too steep. RD: How much land is required? TQ: About 1/2 acre for 100,000GPD with sand filters.
RD: How much is required to get a permit from IDEM? TQ: Construction plans.
RD: May be cheaper to buy out Highridge Estates, than to fix the problem. The people at Highridge Estates have no options. I would hate to be in their shoes.
It was determined DCRSD doesn't have $116,000 in accounts. And can't get construction permit without plans. No action without money. (Note: Lehner, as previous Board Attorney was paid almost $100,000 from accounts.) They have been turned down by Lawrenceburg for more funds. DCF (who provided initial funding) has denied request for a grant this time around. VB: They also turned down GIS request.
RD: Project dead until we can secure funding how do we undo. MH: Recant. RD(?) moved to recant West Aurora Project (including Highridge Estates).
CA from audience said funds are available from Rural Affairs, State Revolving Fund and RDA(?). They may even include funds for preliminary engineering costs. RD moved to put on hold seeking funding. BP seconded. Approved.
Adjourned at approximately 9:00 PM.
Matthew P. Zerbe Letter for SDRSD
MATTHEW P. ZERBE
Attorney & Mediator
30 E. High Street. P. O. Box 4066
Lawrenceburg. Indiana. 47025
(812)537-LA WS (5297) www.zerbelaw.com matt@zerbelaw.com
July 18,2007
Frank Kramer
Ewbank, Kramer, & Dornette
114 W. High St.
P. O. Box 4200
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025-4200
RE: SDRSD
Dear Frank:
Thank you for your letter of March 21, 2007 regarding the provision of sewer service. The South Dearborn Regional Sewer District (SDRSD) formed a subcommittee of its members to explore the SDRSD's role in providing sewer service to areas adjacent to or near the districts borders. This subcommittee met and provided its findings to the entire SDRSD Board on June 12, 2007 with DCRSD members present. The SDRSD Board concurred with the subcommittee's findings which are as follows.
1) The SDRSD has the expertise and financial ability to provide sewer service to areas adjacent or near the District boundaries.
2) Sewer service by the SDRSD will be the most economical means to perform this task.
3) Having another sewer district join an existing district to provide sewer service appears to be duplication of governmental services and will only increase costs to the residents of the County.
4)The SDRSD has offered in years past and more recently to allow some type of advisory membership of the County, not the Dearborn County Regional Sewer District (DCRSD), to the SDRSD to provide input and guidance on extending sewer service to areas of the County adjacent or near the SDRSD borders.
5) The DCRSD operations should be directed to areas of the County not adjacent to municipalities and sewer districts that can economically serve the area in need.
If you propose to obtain capacity at the SDRSD to serve areas that the SDRSD can now easily serve, the SDRSD does not see the merit. Again, this is a duplication of governmental services and will only lead to higher sewer costs for the residents of the County. The SDRSD agrees with your assessment of the minimal needs of the DCRSD in the near future. Per the DCRSD Woolpert Report, two of the 4 priority areas for improvements are near St. Leon and the other two areas that have minimal sewer demands and can most likely be served by the SDRSD directly.
We appreciate your interest in the SDRSD's operations. We do feel there is common ground that we can work together on in providing such an important service to our County residents in an economical manner.
Sincerely,
Matthew P. Zerbe
MPZ:ktz
Cc: Ralph Thompson
Jeffery Hughes
Richard Fox
Bryan Messmore
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26 comments:
A lot of cheap talk.
But without forcing our "existing" citizens on impractical and expensive sewer systems, at hook-up costs far exceeding any value to “existing” citizens (not withstanding the expenses it would save the likes of Fehrman and other realtor/developers at the cost of our existing citizens)…
…and without the coerced dollars of the decent, honest and hard working citizens of this County…
…just a lot of cheap talk.
These folks should just take up bi-monthly bingo, if they so need to gather socially a few times a year.
Rodney Dennerline: "If a 200 or 500 home subdivision comes in will they have tap in fees?"
Not if, like you, Rodney, they plant their posterior on the sewer board, then, everything is free for "tap in freeloaders" such as youself!!!
Rodney, you and you alone, have done more to queer this queer sewer deal, than any "anti-everthing" faction could have ever hoped of doing!!!
The Lord works in mysterious ways!!!
Mike Hankins then said to Ralph Thompson (RT) in the audience, that last time he went before Council RT had a lot to say. Has RT changed his stance?
Hey Mikey!
There is a big "stumble" ahead in your future!
Maybe someday, you could be Vera's secretary of "Political Oblivion!"
The political change of tides are lapping up against Hankin's ass and yet he is still to arrogantly dense to feel the obvious variation of currents!
Maybe he should just get out of the surf altogether!
At least until he is properly fitted with water wings!
Maxwell and Fehrman weren't present. Maybe they see the hand writting on the wall.
This Board needs to disappear!!
Why is Chuck Andres pushing this board. Maybe it's that expensive property he has for sale near St. Leon. Does it need public sewer?
"Does it need public sewer?"
Public sewer, at public cost, by forcing the public to hook-up, in order for Mr. Andres to privately prosper!
How many tens of thousands of dollars are Mr. Andres' neighbors going to be forced to pay by Mr. Andres' operatives in government, just so Mr. Andres can personally prosper?
Apparently, all of the DCRSD's big talk and bluster has not impressed the SDRSD nor their legal representatives!
We should just give the DCRSD a few "Port-a-Pottys" to reign over!
Then they will be able to feel important, with the added bonus of having alternate places to hold their board meetings!
"If you propose to obtain capacity at the SDRSD to serve areas that the SDRSD can now easily serve, the SDRSD does not see the merit. Again, this is a duplication of governmental services and will only lead to higher sewer costs for the residents of the County."
Zerbe said it as plain as can be. This is what a sewer district is supposed to be about- not profits to the board- but reasonably priced utility service to citizens.
"This is what a sewer district is supposed to be about- not profits to the board- but reasonably priced utility service to citizens."
Soon the Mouth-Pieces of the DCRSD will be calling those at the SDRSD "SELFISH"!
The DCRSD Board seems to be oblivious just how transparent they appear to everyone else in this County!
"...but reasonably priced utility service to citizens."
And reasonably priced cannot be found in a situation nor setting, where citizens are "FORCED," by operation of law, to hook-on to inferior and second rate “pressurized sewers" and imperfect "grinder or macerating pumps," requiring expenditures of tens of thousands of dollars!
What is next for the DCRSD's Board and "OUR" tax dollars?
Will they soon be retaining the services of L. Parvin Price to sue the SDRSD?
Rodney Dennerline: "May be cheaper to buy out Highridge Estates, than to fix the problem. The people at Highridge Estates have no options. I would hate to be in their shoes."
As Rodney and his "Merry Band of Incompetents," strive to place the rest of the County in shoes similar to those worn by the poor folks of High Ridge Estates!!!
May our future elections but an end to this absolute madness!!!
"RD moved to put on hold seeking funding. BP seconded. Approved."
As Thompson makes it harder and harder for the DCRSD's Board to strong arm the citizens of this County to pay for their pet projects, their funding is drying up.
The DCRSD cannot compete on a level playing field.
Look for a whole new level of shenanigans from the delinquents of the DCRSD in the near future!!!
Doug Baer, Health Dept. was absent due to wife's recent heart attack.
Prayers up for Doug and his wife!
"...their funding is drying up."
Looks like some of those properties Brett purchased on 50, have become long term investments and not the get rich quick, turn them immediately into subdivisions, slam-bam, thank your taxpayer man, he so imagined!
Jan and Bob will be servicing Brett's debt for some time to come!
Rodney Dennerline: "May be cheaper to buy out Highridge Estates, than to fix the problem. The people at Highridge Estates have no options. I would hate to be in their shoes."
I wonder how the residents of Highridge Estates feel about that? Especially after being told by Vera Benning and the board that DCRSD would solve their problems.
and they will
The Board members of the DCRSD will help out High Ridge Estates only if collateral to any benefits that accrue to each Board member’s particular conflicted interests!
But, let us not ever lose sight of the fact, that the DCRSD is not in existence to help the public in general, it is nothing but a made up entity to help a very few private profiteers who view the taxpayer as a silent, non-voting and non-profit-sharing partner!
and they will
And the "CHEAP TALK EXPRESS" pulls into "LYING ACRES STATION!"
what liar public think for yourself
these people are after your rights
Interesting!
Looks like the little tykes at the DCEDI had the wind taken from the sails of their little toy sailboats!
That little reality check must have stung more than just a bit!
"I wonder how the residents of Highridge Estates feel about that? Especially after being told by Vera Benning and the board that DCRSD would solve their problems."
Imagine all the latent problems we are now nurturing vis-à-vis whole communities having to depend on grinder pumps and pressurized sewer lines!
"Zerbe said it as plain as can be. This is what a sewer district is supposed to be about- not profits to the board- but reasonably priced utility service to citizens."
Fehrman, Maxwell and Dennerline are only concerned with the lowest price for utility services for their developments or trailer parks!
If it takes forcing everyone else in this County off their septic systems and on to "their" sewers, at the cost of thousands upon thousands of dollars, they care not!!!
"...they care not!!!"
Isn't that the God's honest truth!
Shameful!
"but, the TIF districts could be a flop. How will they pay it back then. "DCRSD will be holding the barrel." Without customers, there."
No,no not to worry the beauty of TIFD financing is that the bonds issued for the TIFD's are guaranteed by the TAXPAYERS!
IT is strange that Frank Kramer an attorney for the people of the sewer didn't mention this. He does know that doesn't he? All they have to do is issue bonds, it'd be perhaps years before the catastrophe would become apparent. By then the actors in the deal wold be retired in Arazona or else residing in that great big realestate deal in the sky. Or mayabe just maybe retired to a Federal retirement center, where they get three squares a day and free clothing for violating the Federal Honest Service Statute.
However, they all mean well just ask them. They simply want to do WELL--------- by doing GOOD.
"Without customers, there."
Remember, the good ole days, when being a "customer meant something mutally agreeable and voluntary, you know, before the parasite infected DCRSD?
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