Meetings for: November 6, and November 10, 2008.

NOVEMBER 6, 2008           ROCHESTER SEWER UTILITY DISTRICT #1 BOARD       4:30 P.M.

The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. at the Western Racine County Sewerage District office, 1020 N. River Road, with Rochester Board members Gary Beck, Mike Weinkauf and Paul Beere present. 

Christopher Birkett, Public Works Supervisor, Betty Novy, Town Clerk, and John Tierney, Engineer, were also present.

Western Racine County Sewerage District (WRCSD) Board members Gilbert Bakke, Lynn Tamblyn, James Joseph, Harry Halbach, and Vince Klemko, as well as sewer plant operator Jeff Bratz, were also present.

Discussion regarding sewage flows attributable to the Town of Rochester

Gilbert Bakke stated the purpose of the meeting to discuss correspondence issued by the Town of Rochester to the sewerage district regarding withholding payment of treatment bills until such time as WRCSD televises their sewer lines under N. River Road and Evergreen Drive.    The demand was made based on a substantial increase in sewage flows and associated costs being charged to the Town of Rochester for which the source is not known.  Gilbert indicated the intergovernmental agreement regulating the district allows WRCSD to charge interest on any monies due.  He also stated the position of WRCSD that they do not intend to televise their lines until the spring of 2009.  They wish groundwater levels to be high enough to show infiltration sources.

Initially, discussion was such that WRCSD requested the Town of Rochester pay for televising their lines in the areas where direct connections are made from Town utility customers.  They believe town utility customers are the reason for infiltration.    After discussing standard televising practices, Department of Natural Resource requirements and how long it had been since WRCSD lines have been televised, WRCSD agreed to pay for televising out of their operating budget.  The Town last televised their lines two years ago. 

Rochester Board members indicated increased flows being charged to the Town have caused the district to increase user rates by 50% while still taking a loss.  A 100% increase would be required to break even.  WRCSD Board members acknowledged something has happened to change the amount of flow within the system.  They agreed to discount the amount charged to the Town of Rochester until such time as televising is completed on the condition that the 3^rd quarter bill is paid in full.    Consensus of the Board was to accept this arrangement.

Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty J. Novy, CMC

Clerk-Treasurer

NOVEMBER 10, 2008                       REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                       7:00 P.M.

Meeting was called to order by Gary Beck at 7:00 p.m. with Supervisors Paul Beere and Mike Weinkauf present.

Betty Novy, Clerk-Treasurer; Christopher Birkett, Public Works Supervisor; and John Tierney, Engineer; were also present.

Pledge of Allegiance. 

Minutes.  Mike moved, 2^nd by Paul to approve minutes of the October 13, 2008 meetings as printed.   Motion carried.

Mike moved, 2^nd by Paul to approve November disbursements as follows.   Motion carried.

Town General Disbursements:

NOVEMBER 10, 2008                       REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                       7:00 P.M.

Rochester Sewer Utility District #1 Disbursements:

Treasurer’s Report.   Betty read the balance report as follows: 

NOVEMBER 10, 2008                       REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                       7:00 P.M.

Betty reported positive results of the consolidation referendum for the Town and Village of Rochester. Votes were tallied as follows:

·         Town:    Total Votes Cast:  1,260 – 884 in favor of consolidation /376 against

·         Village:  Total Votes Cast:  479 – 375 in favor of consolidation/ 104 against

A surveyor is working on the legal description of the new village in order to meet submittal requirements to the State.

Notification was also received from the Commissioner of Railroads that crossing gates will be installed at the Oak Knoll railroad crossing.  

Sheriff’s Department.  Sgt. Kacmarcik introduced Deputy Tony Castillo to the Board.  Deputy Castillo was chosen for the Rochester contract position. 

Deputy Castillo presented a written report showing the following statistics for October:  three accidents; seven speeding citations, three traffic citations, twelve parking citations and thirteen warnings were issued.  There was one arrest.  Complaint statistics were as follows:  Twenty-eight complaints originated through calls directly to the Sheriff’s Department; The Sheriff’s Department assisted with eleven additional complaints, originated twenty-one on their own and performed follow up on seventeen. Nineteen work days, 154.75 hours and 1,449 miles driven were performed in service to the contract.  Ten foot patrols were also conducted. 

Deputy Castillo reported ten years experience with the Sheriff’s Department, three of which were service in the county jail.  He also performed water patrol duties on Lake Michigan.  He has worked the Rochester area when Deputy Prochaska was out and also when fulfilling general patrol duties.  Paul asked that Deputy Castillo familiarize himself with previous gang activities in the Honey Lake area.  Deputy Castillo indicated he has been reading Deputy Prochaska’s reports to familiarize himself with recent issues.  Mike asked that Deputy Castillo attend the Honey Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District meeting on Tuesday, November 18^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building.   Mike felt district representatives would appreciate the chance to meet him.   Deputy Castillo indicated his intention to attend.

Public Works Department.   Christopher Birkett’s reported the following issues:   

• The Fox River Prairie lift station had several pump failures this month.  Pumps and electrical panel contacts were serviced.  The wet well and floats were also cleaned.  It is operating normal now.

• Chris met with John Tierney to review drainage at the Heritage Acres site.  John will report on those findings.

• Beaver dams have been found in several drainage path areas throughout the Town.  Trappers are working the areas, but Chris will check them periodically to remove any blockages.

• Racine County decided not to use a salt/sand mix for snowplowing operations this year.  T & T Tree Service is set up to mix for the Town, but would like to know if the Town will supply sand or if they are to purchase it.   

Consensus of the Board was to notify T & T to purchase washed sand and bill the Town for the costs.

NOVEMBER 10, 2008                       REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                       7:00 P.M.

Engineering Report.  John Tierney’s written report was reviewed as follows:

John reported developer for Rookery Landing has agreed to repair damaged asphalt before snowplowing operations.  Asphalt plants are closing for the season in about 1 ½ weeks. 

Options to install flow meters in the Western Racine County Sewerage District main on N. River Road were discussed.  Costs would be about $2,500 for a two-week period and would best be done during a dry period in order to establish base line flows.  Smoke testing is also an option.  A complete infiltration study would cost about $50,000.  There was discussion regarding possible sources of infiltration.  John was directed to work with Jeff Bratz at the sewer plant to monitor fourth quarter flows and the process by which they are determined.  Jeff Bratz had informed Chris Birkett of two known areas of infiltration, one at the corner of Evergreen Drive and State Highway 20; and the other on N. River Road.  These areas are to be televised and repaired as necessary as soon as possible.

Heritage Acres/ Vista View Drainage

John Tierney reported findings from the site visit he performed with Chris Birkett.  The contour lines used on the original Heritage Acres Subdivision plat do not match existing conditions.  John believes the contours on the plat were taken from county maps instead of an actual survey.  There are two low areas, one in the drainage easement on Frank Mayer’s property and the other in the farm field to the north.  In between there is a berm that does not allow the water to flow freely into the drainage easement.  Most of the berm is on the Mayer property.  

Gordon and Patricia Hurley, owners of the property to the north, were present in the audience.  They are concerned that when they develop their property, whoever owns the Mayer property will not cooperate by allowing them to remove the berm so that the water drain into the easement.  The Hurleys reiterated that the berm has been there since the subdivision was completed and was supposed to be removed.  They want some guarantee for the future that it will be removed when and if found necessary.  A swale along the property line to connect the low area in the farm field to the low area in the drainage easement was also discussed as an option to removing the berm. 

NOVEMBER 10, 2008                       REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                       7:00 P.M.

Gary reported speaking with Mr. Mayer.   Mr. Mayer was not able to attend the meeting.  His main concern is that his property is not damaged and that the flow of water does not adversely affect his home.  He does not deny use of the drainage easement, but wants to be involved in any decisions that modify the flow of water over his land.

Consensus of the Board was to direct the Town attorney to draft a memorandum of agreement, to be recorded on the deed of the Mayer property, acknowledging that at some point in the future the berm on the Mayer property will have to be removed, or the northern end of the easement re-graded, to allow free flow of water from properties to the north into the western 100’ of the drainage easement that runs through the Mayer property.  The agreement should convey rights to the owner of the property immediately to the north to make these modifications.   John Tierney is to create an exhibit showing the area in which modifications will be allowed.

Resolution #3-2008 “A Resolution expressing the opposition of the Town of Rochester with a policy of the Department of Natural Resources regarding the use of rifles”

Paul moved, 2^nd by Mike to adopt Resolution #3-2008.  Motion carried.

Resolution #4-2008 “A Resolution expressing the opposition of the Town of Rochester with a policy of the Department of Natural Resources regarding the killing of mute swans in Racine County”

Gary moved, 2^nd by Mike to approve Resolution #4-2008.  Motion carried.

Period for Public Comment:

Christopher Denman, Village of Rochester President, was present in the audience.  Chris inquired about the rest rooms being closed for the season in Case Eagle Park.  The Sheriff’s Department reported the doors open during its last check.  Betty indicated there were some problems with 2^nd shift officers locking it up since Deputy Prochaska left the department.  The restrooms are to be locked until next spring. 

There was also discussion regarding the impact consolidation of the Town and Village of Rochester will have on representation on the Western Racine County Sewerage District Board.  There was question on whether Rochester will retain two members or whether the WRCSD Board could be downsized to three, with one representative each from the Town of Waterford, Village of Waterford and the consolidated Village of Rochester.    Some contention exists regarding the advantage Village of Waterford has with two members on the Board.  The Town of Waterford submitted a formal request to re-negotiate WRCSD’s operational agreement for 2010.   Representation on the Board was also questioned in terms of appointment procedures and the need to stress to WRCSD representatives that they are representing their own municipalities while serving on the Board.  On several occasions, it appeared representatives had shifted their focus to representing the district only rather than serving as advocates for the benefit of their respective municipalities.  Gary suggested WRCSD representatives be reminded of this expectation when organizational meetings are held for the consolidated village.

Paul moved, 2^nd by Mike to adjourn at 8:44 p.m.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty J. Novy, CMC