2019-01-23 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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Motion and second: Commissioner Pequeño moved that they maintain their previous recommendation to the Council for the three-year graduated rate increase. Vice Chair Olson seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Gaffney mentioned they had previously discussed alternative potential funding sources via grants, such as at the federal level and through NGOs. However, as DEM has no grant writer, it is extremely unlikely they will be able to access any of those monies. He is not sure this is relevant to the motion on the floor, however. Commissioner Pequeño said since it is a flat rate system, an alternative could be to charge based on water usage. Director Kucharski said that is a recommended system for allowing people who do not have a lot of excess income to minimize their sewer bill. However, it would require major changes, and he did not want to complicate the rate increase with it—it would be too much at one time. Commissioner Fulton asked Director Kucharski how the fees are assessed for resorts, and he explained that most of them are on private systems. Those that are on the county sewer are charged under a commercial rate fee plus a cost per 1,000 gallons of water. They pay in excess of what a resident pays, per person. They use and discharge a lot of water. Motion withdrawn and new motion made and seconded: Commissioner Pequeño withdrew his motion to maintain their previous recommendation to the Council for the three-year graduated rate increase. He moved to adopt Chair Bennett’s letter to the Council written on behalf of the EMC, in affirmation of their previous recommendation to the Council. Vice Chair Olson withdrew his previous second and seconded the new motion. Discussion: Commissioners Gaffney and Pequeño had a few changes they wanted made to the letter Chair Bennett had drafted, and everyone agreed on the changes. Motion, second, and vote: Vice Chair Olson moved to approve the letter as amended, Commissioner Pequeño seconded the motion, and all commissioners voted aye. 6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE a. Chair’s Report. Chair Bennett said he had done some research and wanted to provide comments in a Chair’s Report, which was just for informational purposes. (1) The Commission’s work. (a) Our “business.”