Minutes

UTILITY COMMITTEE The Utility Committee Meeting was held on March 24, 2014 at 5:01 p.m. with Chairwoman Williams presiding. Members present were Mr. Perza, Mr. Slavin, Mr. Blakeman, and Mr. Snaman. Members of Council present were Mr. Dixon and Mr. Hutchison. Mayor Carey was also present. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS Mr. Slavin moved for approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried. Delaware Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Intrastate Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (DEWARN) Mrs. Sharon Duca, Director of Public Works, advised members that following the events of September 11, 2001, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the severe flooding in New England and the Midwest in 2007, the need for water and wastewater systems to share resources to overcome disasters became evident. As a result, the Water Sector’s professional associations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Security Division (WSD) had been working to have every state establish intrastate mutual aid and assistance agreements between drinking water and wastewater utilities known as Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARN). Mrs. Duca indicated that the Delaware Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for Intrastate Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (DEWARN) had been executed by numerous water and wastewater utilities (public and private) throughout the State. She stated that the City and other jurisdictions already work together and provide assistance to each other during times of need. Mrs. Duca explained that if the City became a member, this would allow the City to receive assistance from other members, should an emergency occur, as well as provide assistance if possible. She stated that emergencies do not need to be catastrophic, such as those that led to the formation of the WARN communities, but can be any incident which requires emergency response. She assured members that the agreement would not mandate any obligation to assist other members in the event of an emergency, explaining that it would simply provide a means for members to assist each other if they are able. Mrs. Duca indicated that participation in this network would be achieved through the Department of Public Works and the City Manager’s Office via Public Affairs and Emergency Management. Members were provided an informational brochure regarding DEWARN (Attachment #1). Staff recommended that the City Manager be authorized to execute the DEWARN Agreement. Responding to Mr. Perza, Mrs. Duca stated that she, along with the City Manager and the Public Affairs and Emergency Management Coordinator, would serve as the City’s point of contact. She advised members that in all instances, the City Manager would be made aware of an issue before a final decision would be made on any request. Elaborating, Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, stated that although he, as City Manager, would be required to approve requests for personnel and equipment outside of the City, approval would be granted after considering staff’s recommendation in this regard. He assured members that if a request were within reason, the City would do whatever possible to provide aid to a local jurisdiction included in the Network.

UTILITY COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 24, 2014 PAGE 2 In response to Mr. Snaman, Mr. Koenig stated that, although there was no written agreement to provide assistance for electrical issues, there has been a long-term understanding that the City’s Electric Department will respond whenever assistance is needed. In the past, Mr. Koenig stated that crews had been sent to other states as a part of mutual aid through the American Public Power Association (APPA). Mrs. Williams questioned what, if anything, the City would do to accommodate requests for providing water to areas where there is no interconnection with the City. Responding, Mrs. Duca felt that, if such a need arose, assistance would extend outside of the Network and come from other sources, such as the National Guard. Responding to Mr. Hutchison, Mrs. Duca advised members that the municipalities that are already members of DEWARN are Blades, Camden-Wyoming, Lewes, Milford, Milton, Newark, New Castle Municipal Services Commission, Selbyville, and Wilmington. Other members include United Water Delaware, Tidewater Utilities, and Artesian Water Company. Mr. Blakeman moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation to authorize the City Manager to execute the DEWARN Agreement, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried. Mr. Snaman moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m. Beverly C. Williams Chairwoman BCW/TM/jg/js/dd S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Committee-Minutes\2014\03-24-2014 UTILITY.wpd Attachments Attachment #1 - Brochure - Delaware Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (DEWARN)

ATTACHMENT #1 Utility Committee Meeting of 03/24/2014 ATTACHMENT #1 Utility Committee Meeting of 03/24/2014