City of Waterloo Water & Sewer Committee met Jan. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Meeting Called to Order: 6:32pm
Committee Members Present - Darter- C, Row, Matt Buettner, Hopkins
Others Present – Trantham, M. Childers, Shawn Kennedy, Justin Stevens, Joel Vogt
Agenda
1. Petitions by Citizens on Non-Agenda items – None
2. Water Rates
Shawn Kennedy discussed the Utility Rate increases from Illinois American and the Annual CPI increases required by Ordinance.
In a nutshell, Illinois American was granted a rate increase from the Illinois Commerce Commission (about 28%) effective January 1, 2023.
The increase in rates will be effective Jan 1 and reflected on utility bills mailed in February. Short discussion but all agreed the City has to pass those costs on to our utility customers. This rate increase emphasizes that our plan to build a Water Plant continues to be a great decision. Shawn Kennedy will make the necessary changes to Ordinance #1870 to reflect the Water Rate increase. The Ordinance change will be an agenda item for City Council to approve.
The annual CPI Increase for Water and Sewer (per Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Midwest, All Items Index) is 8.59%.
The City is required by ordinance to take this increase.
The increase for water will be seen on the March bills mailed in April and sewer increase on the May bills mailed in June.
No action is required by the Committee.
3. Broken Water pipes
During the recent extreme cold in late December, there were a number of water line bursts, both inside and outside. Shawn Kennedy put together a list of “known problems” others may come to light when bills are received by customers.
After a lengthy discussion the committee agreed that Customers would be responsible for the water costs because The City buys the water from Illinois American. The sewer costs will be capped at an average monthly cost, based on each customer’s use.
4. Comment
Matt Buettner received a complaint about a sewer line problem at 5 South Victor Street from Carlisa Magee. As a favor to the homeowner, the City went out and ran a camera in the line and found tree roots to be the problem; however, all of the sewer lines in Lou Del Subdivision are private and that prevents the City from working on them. All work is the responsibility of the homeowners.
Motion made by Hopkins to adjourn, 2nd by Russ Row, meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
https://www.waterloo.il.us/wp-content/uploads/Water-Sewer-Cmte-Mtg-Minutes-01-17-23.pdf
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