Minutes

UTILITY COMMITTEE The Utility Committee Meeting was held on January 9, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. with Chairman Bonar presiding. Members present were Mr. Lynn, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Blakeman, and Mr. Snaman. Council President Leary and Mayor Carey were also present. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS By unanimous consent, the agenda was approved as presented. Disposition of City Owned Land and Sewer Infrastructure – Dover East Pump Station #12 Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, presented members with a request regarding the proposed transfer of ownership of the Dover East Sanitary Sewer Pumping Station #12 from the City of Dover to Kent County. He explained that for over five (5) years, the Grandview, M&S, and Oak Grove Mobile Home Communities have experienced various issues related to the appropriate functioning of the private sewage facilities associated with these locations. These issues led to environmental concerns as well as numerous investigations toward a means to preserve the low income housing option in the area. In March 2011, Kent County proposed that the three (3) communities become an extension to Kent County Sewage Disposal District No. 1, including the smaller Kent County parcels immediately adjacent to the communities, as only M&S was located on a City of Dover parcel. The flow from these areas would discharge to the City’s Dover East Pump Station #12. The flow would be deducted from the City’s monthly Kent County wastewater bill. He assured members that the City would not lose any existing or future customers. Mr. Koenig advised members that this proposal was negotiated and accepted by the previous administration, which allowed the County to proceed with the District expansion and to apply for the appropriate funding. Since that time, the County has been informed that they will be unable to receive the necessary funding for the project unless the scope changes. As such, they have requested to take ownership of Dover East Pump Station #12. They will upgrade the station and reroute the flow directly to the Kent County Bypass Line. In turn, they would not be required to pay City of Dover sanitary sewer impact fees for connection. Mr. Koenig noted that, over the past few years, the abandonment of the Dover East Pump Station and the installation of an associated gravity line were included with the Capital Investment Plan (CIP). This project was to be coordinated with the construction of a new pump station in the Rojan Meadows subdivision. The project cost was $253,800. Due to the delay in the construction of this subdivision and the existing station’s pressing need for an upgrade, the CIP project was to be converted from an abandonment project to an upgrade project at similar cost. Should the County’s proposal be accepted, this project can instead be removed in its entirety, which would save the City $253,800. Ownership of the pump station by the County would eliminate all immediate and future operational, maintenance, and capital costs. Mr. Koenig advised members that a parcel of land exists in conjunction with the pump station. Staff has determined that the pump station and associated parcel of land are excess in nature and their disposal would be beneficial to the City of Dover. Staff recommended that the City Manager be authorized to sell the property located within the Dover East Mobile Home Community, in addition to the sanitary sewer pump station and associated infrastructure contained therein, to Kent County for $1.00 under Exception C of the Land Disposal Policy.

UTILITY COMMITTEE MEETING OF JANUARY 9, 2012 PAGE 2 Mrs. Williams moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation that the property located within the Dover East Mobile Home Community, in addition to the sanitary sewer pump station and associated infrastructure contained therein, be sold to Kent County for $1.00 under Exception C of the Land Disposal Policy. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blakeman and unanimously carried. Review of Utility Related Capital Investment Plan (Electric and Water/Wastewater) Members reviewed a Project Tracking Report, as of November 30, 2011, for the Utility Related (Electric and Water/Wastewater) Capital Investment Plan (CIP). Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, reviewed the Water/Wastewater Report and noted that the Route 13 Water Main Project was near completion and that the actual construction portion was complete. Responding to Mr. Bonar, Mr. Koenig stated that questions raised by a customer regarding a section of the lining project in East Lake Gardens appeared to have been resolved; the customer seemed to be reasonably satisfied and no further concerns have been received by staff. He noted that there was a problem with one of the lines near the new Library site and that corrective measures have been taken to resolve the issue. Mr. Koenig advised members that it would be difficult to measure the savings from Inflow and Infiltration (I & I) removal because of the size and location of the lines; however, he stated that the City spent approximate $2M on the lining project, and he planned to obtain a calculation of the return on this investment at some point. He stated that this type of work has slowed with the completion of this project; however, will increase again as staff identifies new work. Mr. Jeremy Johnson, Interim Electric Director, advised members that although he did not have a full command of all the Capital Projects for the Power Plant as yet, he had an understanding of all other Electric projects and did not feel there were any issues or concerns. Responding to Mr. Bonar, Mr. Johnson stated that internal staff and IBEW representatives investigated the recent accident which caused injuries to two (2) Electric Department employees and determined that there were three (3) issues which led to the incident, as follows: 1) improper labeling on the equipment when installed; 2) proper procedures were not followed in testing equipment; and 3) the employees were not wearing proper protective equipment (fire retardant shirt, pants, gloves, safety goggles, and a hard hat). He noted that the individual who sustained the most injuries was not wearing any of the protective equipment. Mr. Johnson assured members that measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Mr. Blakeman moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried. Meeting Adjourned at 5:18 P.M. David L. Bonar Chairman DLB/TM/jg/js/dd S:\AGENDAS & MINUTES\Committee-Minutes\2012\01-09-2012 UTILITY.wpd