UTILITIES COMMISSION
July 11, 2006
7:30 p.m.

The Stafford County Utilities Commission met for its regular meeting on July 11, 2006, in the Board Chambers in the Stafford County Administration Center. Commission members present were Joyce Arndt, Richard Carroll, Lloyd Chittum, Gene Mayausky, and Patricia Kurpiel. Bob Bos, Dale Allen, Nancy Collins, and Cheryl Giles were present for the Utilities Department.

2. Public Hearing – Joyce Arndt opened the public hearing and called on Dale Allen to present the staff report. Dale reported that nine homeowners along Sanford Drive and Paul Lane have petitioned the County to extend public sewer on Sanford Drive. Dale provided the location, the estimated cost, and the evaluation criteria for the project. There were no speakers from the public. Ms. Arndt closed the public hearing and opened the floor for discussion.

After some discussion, Lloyd Chittum made a motion to recommend approval of the project to the Board of Supervisors. Gene Mayausky seconded the motion and it passed with a 6-0 vote.

3. Public Presentations – Bill Johnson, a representative of the Friends of Abel Lake (FOAL), requested that when the commission considers changes to the reservoir protection overlay ordinance that they please continue to allow access to the lake to fish, boat, and swim because property owners do provide proper care to Abel Lake.

Ruth Carlone expressed her concerns about the abuse of ordinances designed to protect Abel Lake. Mrs. Carlone cited docks and the use of gas-motored boats on the lake as examples of the abuses.

Kenny Yeick, also a representative of the FOAL, expressed concern about changes that may hinder his family from continuing to enjoy the beauty of Abel Lake.

4. Approval of Minutes – Minutes for the June 13, 2006 meeting were approved as written.

5. Pump and Haul Request – Mr. Elywyn Thimmes presented his request for pump and haul services for 11 Mallard Road. Mr. Thimmes explained that he does not want the County to provide subsidized pump and haul services but that he would like the commission’s approval to allow replacing his home and unsubsidized pump and haul services.

Commission members questioned Mr. Thimmes about the consolidation of four lots to one lot and expressed concern about the increase of the square footage of the home that would be replaced.

After some discussion, Patricia Kurpiel made a motion to approve the request for replacement of Mr. Thimmes’ house and that the Board be informed about the difference in the square footage of the house from 960 ft. to 3,650 ft and the consolidation of the property from four lots to one lot under one deed and that the request would be for non-subsidized pump and haul services. The motion was seconded by Lloyd Chittum and passed with a 6-0 vote.

6. Revise Pump & Haul Policy – Dale Allen reviewed details for proposed ordinance O06-54 and proposed resolutions R06-240, R06-282 and R06-339.

(a) O06-54 – Dale reported that the Department of Social Services is not interested in administering an eligibility program for the pump and haul program but the Director did offer the following advice: Eligibility can easily be verified by Social Services for a family that qualifies for Food Stamps. Eligibility is set at 130% of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Poverty Guidelines. A program that provides medical insurance for children has an eligibility level of 200% of HHS Poverty Guidelines. Staff revised O06-54 by providing a rate structure designed to address the Board of Supervisors requests. The revised ordinance would provide four classes of customers based on family income.

(b) R06-240 – Dale reported that R06-240 was revised to eliminate the requirement that the homeowner pay for an AOSE study before applying for a pump and haul. It also make the County-funded AOSE study optional before the County renews pump and haul agreements.

(c) R06-282 – Dale reported that R06-282 would refer proposed ordinance O06-54 to the Utilities Commission to hold a public hearing on the proposed charges.

(d) R06-339 – Dale reported that R06-339 were changes made to the policy for non-subsidized pump and haul program. Additional language was added to page 2, paragraph 1B and to page 2, paragraph 2B.

After some discussion about the proposed resolutions and ordinances, Gene Mayausky made a motion to accept the recommendations and forward them to the Board of Supervisors. The motion was seconded by Lloyd Chittum and the motion passed with a 6-0 vote.

7. Pro Rata Fees and Master Water & Sewer Plan – Bob Bos reported that based on the proposed Water and Sewer Master Plan, an updated General Sewer Improvement Program and General Water Improvement Program had been prepared. Bob explained what pro rata fees are used for and how they are determined.

Bob suggested that at next month’s meeting, details should be discussed about a resolution to revise the water and sewer pro rata fee program regulations, a resolution to adopt a General Sewer Improvement Program and General Water Improvement Program, and an ordinance to revise water and sewer pro rate fees and returned check fees.

8. Reservoir Protection Overlay – Bob Bos reported that he and Patricia Kurpiel had met and discussed the terminal reservoir protection ordinance and the overlay district. Bob reported the Virginia Department of Health requires that swimming be prohibited in drinking water reservoirs. The following minor changes have been made to the proposed ordinance: An 18 ft. maximum boat length, a homeowner cannot have a treatment system that discharges to the reservoir, and the use of a de-nitrifying on site sewer system is encouraged.

Lloyd Chittum made a motion that the ordinance be discussed at next month’s meeting paragraph by paragraph. The motion was seconded by Patricia Kurpiel and passed with a 6-0 vote.

9. Public Utilities Administrator’s Report – Bob Bos reported that a joint public hearing would be held with the Planning Commission on August 2nd for drainfield ordinances O06-02, O06-23 and O06-53 in the Board Chambers and would be televised. Bob commented that the logistics of the meeting would be determined prior to the hearing. Dale suggested that time be left on the agenda for joint discussion following the public hearing. After the joint public hearing is completed, the Utilities Commission would continue with their regular meeting in Conference room ABC, thereby, replacing the meeting normally held the second Tuesday of the month.

11. Commission Members’ Comments – Patricia Kurpiel inquired about the implications for our area of the recent flooding in Maryland. Bob responded that both Smith Lake WTF and Abel Lake WTF are designed for maximum probable flood, which means that the facilities can handle 32” of rainfall within a 24-hour period.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                    Patricia Kurpiel
                                                                    Recording Secretary