HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 08, 2006 - Special Council SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
THE CORPORATION OF THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM
P.O.Box 160,9344 Plank Road
STRAFFORDVILLE, ONTARIO
Thursday,June 8, 2006
7:00 p.m.
The Special Meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Bayham was held in the Vienna Community
Centre, 26 Fulton Street, Vienna. Present were Mayor Lynn Acre, Deputy Mayor Mathew Schafer,
Councillors Mark Taylor, Paul Ens and Cliff Evanitski, Administrator Kyle Kruger, Treasurer Suzanna
Mantel and Planning Coordinator/Deputy Clerk Margaret Underhill.
Guest Presenter: Gary Scandlan from C.N. Watson and Associates
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Acre called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
2. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & THE GENERAL
NATURE THEREOF
None
3. PRESENTATION
(a) Presentation by Gary Scandlan from C.N. Watson &Associates regarding proposed water
and sewer rates
File:
Prior to the commencement of the presentation,the Administrator and Planning
Coordinator/Deputy Clerk distributed to the attendees two written documents entitled
"Port Burwell Secondary Water System Water Rate Study, Study Purpose"as prepared by
C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. in association with Earth Tech Canada and the
"Municipality of Bayham Water and Wastewater Rate Study, Present Rate Structure"as
prepared by C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. Mr. Scandlan presented the two reports by
PowerPoint presentation in a page-by-page review.
4. PUBLIC QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
Q—There is existing unfairness in sewer users. Why can't we go back to different rates
for residential and commercial?
A—Commercial can be rated differently than residential should that option be chosen.
COUNCIL MINUTES - 151 - June 8, 2006
Q—There is a big difference between a residence of two people and a residence with ten
people. Can there be two rates—one for water/sewer users and one for sewer only?
A—There are no meters for sewer only residents.
Q—Can you separate water on one meter for a specified rate and sewer at a separate rate?
A—The municipality could do a flat rate, compare all to residential equivalent and treat
residential different from other classes.
Q—Is it suitable to meter private wells in order to charge for the actual sewer usage?
A —There's no program in place to meter private wells.
A—The province does not allow those on municipal water to have private wells servicing
residences. There is more stringent legislation since the Walkerton investigation.
Q —We have such high chlorine levels—what guarantee is there that what we are getting
is safe?
A--The chlorine levels are according to provincial legislation, which the municipality
must adhere to.
Q - Is chlorine injected everyday or at certain times?
A— Chlorine treated water has to sit 15 minutes then it can be discharged into the system.
As water moves through the system it loses it's power and the chlorine boosters enhance
the chlorine level along the way. The water is continuously injected and tested.
Q—With all the new development, won't that affect the proposed rates in these reports?
A—The municipality can impose this year's and next year's rates now by by-law and then
review and renew the rates at a later time.
Q—Why were OCWA costs included in the study? Can we get rid of them?
A—OCWA is the contractor on the Secondary system. The contract will be reviewed in
2007. The Secondary System Board received two tenders and OCWA was the lower of
the two options. The Board will look at all their options when the contract expires.
Q—Can our own operator take courses to test our own system and secondary system to
cut down on costs?
A—Separate sampling must be done on the secondary system. We currently test our own
system.
Q—Water is supplied to Vienna and Port Burwell area. What happens when
Straffordville and Eden need it?
A—Perhaps a communal system will be established or pipe the water up to that area.
Can't say how it would affect the costs at this time.
Q—Can a homeowner have a private well to water lawns or gardens?
A—An existing well can be used to water a garden but cannot be connected to the
residence.
COUNCIL MINUTES - 152 - June 8,2006
Q—How much did the Study cost?
A - $11,700
4. ADJOURNMENT
K. Kruger asked for any further questions and then thanked everyone for attending the public
meeting. Mayor Acre thanked everyone for attending and welcomed further discussion with
Council or Mr. Scandlan.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
I
MAY 4.
DEPU CLERK
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Date Approved: � 1 O