UTILITIES COMMISSION
October 10, 2006
7:30p.m.

The Stafford County Utilities Commission met for its regular meeting on October 10, 2006 in Conference Room A, B, C in the Stafford County Administration Center. Commission members present were Joyce Arndt, Richard Carroll, Juan Chaves, Bob Hunt, Gene Mayausky, and Patricia Kurpiel who arrived at 8:15p.m. Bob Bos, Nancy Collins and Fred Krebs were present for the Utilities Department.

2. Public Presentations – Mr. Keith Oster, of Prime Design Engineering expressed his concerns about the proposed Terminal Reservoir Ordinance and the proposed Reservoir Protection Overlay Ordinance.

3. Approval of Minutes – on a motion by Gene Mayausky, seconded by Bob Hunt, the minutes were approved as written.

4. Pump and Haul Fees – Nancy Collins reported that the Board of Supervisors approved the changes to the Pump & Haul Policy, as recommended by the Utilities Commission, but referred the fees back to the Utilities Commission. The Board requested that the Virginia Department of Social Service’s recently published Self-Sufficiency Standards be considered (instead of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) when determining income levels for subsidized pump and haul fees. The new rate schedule was provided based on averages from the Self-Sufficiency Standards. On a motion by Bob Hunt, seconded by Gene Mayausky, the member voted unanimously to hold a public hearing on November 14, 2006 before considering the new rates.

Bob Bos pointed out that the Board of Supervisors will be using the Board Chambers on that date, so the public hearing will be held in Conference Room A,B,C.

5. Pro Rata Fees and Water & Sewer Master Plan – Bob Bos distributed copies of the revised Master Plan. He reminded the members that the Utilities Commission had previously held a public hearing, following which they recommended the Master Plan to the Planning Commission. Because three chapters were missing, the Planning Commission tabled the item. The revised Master Plan now contains the missing chapters.

The project schedules show all capital needs for the next forty years. The intention is to have a dynamic document that is updated annually.

Bob explained that pro rata fees cover the costs of water and sewer lines, pump stations, and tanks that are shown in the Master Plan. Bob pointed out that capital project costs have been changed to reflect increases the cost of labor and material and the shortage of contractors. The recommended pro rata fees have increased accordingly.

Residential developers pay pro rata fees when they subdivide the property. Commercial developers pay when the meter is set. Developers have the option of paying the fees or building the facilities as shown in the Plan. Developers can earn credits by building facilities shown in the Master Plan.

Some miscellaneous fee adjustments were included in the proposed ordinance revising the pro rata fees. The word “delinquent” is being stricken from the reconnection charges and the return check fee would be set by Treasurer in the maximum amount allowed by the Code of Virginia.

The Commission authorized a public hearing, to be held December 14, 2006, to consider approval of the Master Plan, revision of the Pro Rata Policy, adoption of a General Sewer Improvement Program and General Water Improvement Program.

6. Reservoir Protection Overlay District – Patricia Kurpiel reported that the subcommittee of the ordinance committee of the Planning Commission wants the maps showing the overlays before they will act on the Reservoir Protection Overlay Ordinance. Work has begun on the maps. Patricia and Bob Bos displayed the maps asking for input from the Commission. The direction from the members was that the overlay district would consist of the entire drainage area upstream of the dams. Buffers should be shown, consistent with the ordinance.

The latest versions of the two ordinances were distributed. Patricia said that there was some confusion about the versions forwarded to the Planning Commission. On a motion by Patricia Kurpiel, seconded by Bob Hunt, members voted unanimously to approve the latest versions of O17-28 and O28-61 and recommend them to the Planning Commission, and to inform them that the overlay mapping is in progress.

8. Public Utilities Administrator’s Report – Bob Bos gave a short educational talk about the responsibility of the Utilities Department to produce a “Food Grade Product”. He reminded the members that in 1993, a parasite got through the treatment process in Milwaukee. 110 people died, and more than half the citizens became ill.

Draft copies of the Water Supply Plan were distributed. The plan is currently being revised in response to comments from DEQ.

9. Commission Members Comments – Members expressed their desire that the reservoir protection issues be made more understandable.

On a motion by Bob Hunt, seconded by Gene Mayausky, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Kurpiel
Recording Secretary