By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Could a new utility be part of the City of Burlington’s future?
Stay tuned.
The City of Burlington Common Council discussed approving local funds to match a Department of Natural Resources grant for a storm water management plan Tuesday night, a needed study because of the city’s recent status change to a MS4 community.
The change happened, Director of Public Works Craig Workman said, because of the city’s population topping 10,000 – though a number of other items could have resulted in the designation.
As a result, the city is now bound by the requirements of the MS4 permits, the first of which is assessing the storm water system and developing a storm water management plan. The city will need to budget $53,000 for the survey for 2016, and has received a grant from the DNR for up to $80,000.
However, when the question of what other costs would crop up was asked, Workman warned the City Council would likely have to discuss whether it wanted to create a new utility to cover any costs to address potential concerns that are identified by the survey.
The survey would likely pinpoint necessary improvements to meet the permit requirements, as well as define discharge numbers. As a result, Workman said, a storm water utility might be the best way to address costs.
Workman said the council would have a discussion on whether or not to create the utility and that rates didn’t have to be based on home value.
Alderman Ed Johnson offered a comment on the nature of the study, considering it an unfunded mandate along the lines of the wastewater treatment guidelines and radium removal.
“This irritates me to no end,” Johnson said.
The council is scheduled to consider approving the storm water study at its July 7 meeting.
Lab manager job set
In a separate matter, council approved the creation of a laboratory manager position within the public works department.
The person hired will be responsible for wet chemistry analysis of wastewater and industrial samples to make sure city wastewater complies with DNR guidelines. That person will also supervise the lab technicians in the department.
The money for the position is not budgeted. However, according to a staff memo on the matter, reorganization within the public works department will support the nominal wage increase.
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