City Approves Stormwater Utility Ordinance On First Reading
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw City Council Monday approved on first reading an ordinance for creating a stormwater utility. The ordinance states Warsaw will construct a stormwater utility to improve, operate and maintain sewage works. Theresa Sailor, Warsaw stormwater coordinator, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the stormwater system during Monday’s meeting. Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Indianapolis, prepared a utility study on stormwater utility for Warsaw that assessed the need for a stormwater utility. Sheila McKinley, project manager, provided information on funding and benefits of a stormwater utility. McKinley said benefits of the utility are improvements to the drainage system to alleviate flooding and improved water quality for recreation and clean rivers, streams and lakes. Funding mechanisms include property taxes, service or utility charges or a drainage assesment fee. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said the ordinance will need to be approved on second reading at the council’s January meeting. A hearing also will need to be held to set a user rate. The utility is to manage Municipal Seperate Storm Sewer System activities and install, maintain and operate the stormwater collection and disposal system and manage the drainage of stormwater and surface water. According to the study conducted by Burke, the city has experienced flooding resulting in public safety concerns throughout the city as well as property loss and damage. The study found the city has an aging underground infrastructure with an undetermined count of sewer lines in need of repair or replacement, whose function is vital to minimizing flooding as Warsaw is at the convergence of neighborhood watersheds. The city has been identified as a Municipal Seperate Storm Sewer System under the Clean Water Act of 1972 and is required to comply with the Phase II Stormwater Regulation as implemented by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management Rule 13 and comply with the requirements, Thallemer said. The Board of Works will make and enforce regulations needed for safe, economical and efficient management of the city’s storm sewer system, pumping stations, dams, levees and other management systems related to drainage and stormwater control structures. City Council will have all the powers to pass ordinances for reasonable and equitable fees or service charges for those who utilize the storm water control and drainage. The city also has the power to issue revenue bonds and borrow money to acquire real estate, design, plan, construct, maintain and improve storm sewer utility structures. In other business, the council heard a sponsorship update for a 2014 Walk-n-Wander Warsaw bronze sculpture exhibit that is being planned. There are 36 sponsors for the sculptures that will be displayed in downtown Warsaw June 4 to Sept. 28. In addition to Lakeland Art Association members, Wagon Wheel Theatre, Grace College Art Department and Theater Arts, Warsaw Community High School art and theater departments, Kosciusko County Recycling Depot, Warsaw Community Public Library and Kosciusko Literacy Services will help coordinate events and educational programs throughout the four-month exhibit period. Also during the meeting, Jerry Frush, councilman, expressed his concern with the Board of Works decision to allow a landlord to have 12 months interest-free to pay an underbilled sewage fee. Frush said he felt the landlord should pay off the $6,074.60 in a shorter time period or should be charged with interest. Mike Klondaris, councilman, reminded residents, landlords and business owners to remove snow that is required by city ordinance. Cindy Dobbins, councilwoman, thanked the street department for its efforts in clearing the snow over the weekend. The council discussed the possibility of changing the time for council meetings. The topic will be on the council’s January agenda.
