HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 04/15/2014
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA APRIL 15, 2014
The Ames City Council met in special session at 7:00 p.m. on the 15th day of April, 2014, in the
City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Ann
Campbell presiding and the following Council Members present: Gloria Betcher, Amber
Corrieri, Tim Gartin, Matthew Goodman, Chris Nelson, and Peter Orazem.
FATS, OILS AND GREASE PROGRAM: Brian Phillips, Management Analyst, and Kris
Evans, Environmental Engineer, briefed the Council on a Fats, Oils and Grease Control Program
Proposal. The City maintains over 200 miles of sanitary sewer lines that convey wastewater to
the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPC) south of Ames. When fats, oils and greases (FOG)
are introduced into sewer lines, they can solidify and create blockages. The result of a FOG
blockage is typically a backup of untreated sewage into sewer customers’ homes or
establishments. FOG causes challenges for City operations, as well. The City spent $22,200 this
past year on routine and emergency cleaning of sanitary sewer mains specific to fats, oils and
grease. The staff at WPC spends many hours clearing grease blockages at the treatment plant.
FOG is an environmental and health concern. The sewer blockages it causes can allow untreated
sewage to enter the storm water system and ultimately the local watershed. Blockages can be
very expensive and time-consuming for the City to fix. The environmental concerns have led the
EPA to impose its own control over the sewer programs in some communities without a FOG
control program.
According to Mr. Phillips, Food Service Establishments (FSEs) are the primary source of FOG.
This is why the Uniform Plumbing Code requires installation of grease interceptors (grease traps)
to reduce the possibility of FOG entering the sanitary sewer. The FOG can come from food
particles, oils, sugars, dairy products, and other solids. Grease interceptors can be one of two
primary types. Gravity-flow grease interceptors, which are larger, outdoor devices, or
hydromechanical grease interceptors, which are typically smaller, indoor devices. Grease
interceptors of either type are not effective without routine maintenance and cleaning. If the level
of grease and solids exceeds 25% of the total unit depth, the grease interceptor is full. Beyond
that level, grease can begin to escape into the sanitary sewer. Cleaning and maintenance of
interceptors is the key challenge, since the Plumbing Code specifies installation requirements,
but not how to maintain them. Several communities within and outside of Iowa have FOG
control programs and were discussed in brief.
After further research from October 2010 to January 2014, City staff has had discussions with
the City Council, restaurant operators, Food Service Establishments (FSEs) and grease haulers
and identified several key components for a FOG program proposal, including:
FSEs are major FOG producers, but all customers should be responsible
FOG production varies among FSEs. FSEs that already do the right things should not be
punished
Keep burdens of recordkeeping and reports to a minimum
Keep costs low
Avoid adding City staff
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City staff proposed a two-pronged approach to address FOG:
1. The first component would apply to all sewer customers, including residential and
commercial, who cause sanitary blockages. Currently, Municipal Code Section 28.306
(2) states: “No utility customer shall place, throw, dump, empty, or deposit into the
municipal sewerage system […] solid or viscous substances which may cause obstruction
to the flow in the sewer or other interference with the operation of the treatment facility.”
Violation of this section is a municipal infraction of up to $1,000 for the first and each
subsequent offense. Although this penalty seems substantial, it does not address the
actual costs of the cleanup associated with a sanitary sewer overflow. It is believed by
City staff that a higher potential for penalties may encourage customers to develop better
procedures to avoid causing a blockage.
2. The second prong to the approach involves FSEs specifically. City staff proposes the
creation of a new sewer rate class called a “Restaurant Rate.” This rate hasn’t been
established yet, but would apply to any state-licensed FSE connected to the City’s sewer
system. Several exemptions have been proposed by staff. City staff also proposed adding
FOG as a measured criterion to the Non-Domestic Waste Pretreatment Program
(NDWPP).
Because staff’s proposal would implement a variety of limits that have not been in place before,
City staff proposes that the first year of implementation should be a data collection period. No
changes in fees or rates would be imposed during that period, but FSEs would be asked to
provide the required documentation as if the program was in effect. This would allow City staff
to adjust the proposed numerical limits and costs to best match the goals of the program. It would
also provide FSEs a year to understand the program.
Suggestions were also raised by FSE representatives, but City staff believes it would be
worthwhile to pursue those suggestions after the program has been in place for at least two years.
City staff would also like to investigate the effect of using emulsifiers to the wastewater. During
the open forums, implementation of a grant program was suggested to help FSEs install more
effective FOG control equipment. City staff would need to evaluate the costs of such a program
and whether it may qualify for state or federal funding. Finally, City staff would like to evaluate
the fees for FOG disposal at the WPC facility; however, this would require further study.
Council Member Gartin inquired about restaurant participation. Evans and Phillips noted that for
the first initial meeting, 15-20 restaurants were involved. A survey was conducted and sent to all
of the licensed food establishments in the community after the initial meeting and the City
received 20-30 responses. With the specific proposal brought to the restaurants in January, there
were two sessions with roughly 15-20 establishments attending each session. All establishments
were notified about the January forum, as well as the Council meeting this evening.
Phillips and Evans emphasized that this program shouldn’t change too much of a restaurant’s day
to day operations if they are already meeting compliance.
Council Member Orazem noted that there is a conflict of interest because haulers are being paid
by restaurants to provide a service at the same time that they are also regulating the restaurant.
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Evans responded by saying that they wouldn’t be regulating because they already measure solids
when they go to pump out the interceptors. The haulers would report to the City and the City
would be responsible for enforcing the regulations. Mr. Orazem inquired as to whether or not
there is a mechanism in place that ensures reporting will be accurate on the part of the haulers.
Mr. Phillips said that if there are discrepancies between the reporting and the sewer lines that the
City would have the authority to go to the restaurant and see if things match up to what is being
reported. Mr. Orazem noted that if haulers are found not following compliance they could be
debarred from all future contracts which should help deter haulers from not following
compliance. John Dunn, Water and Pollution Control Director, noted that haulers should have an
incentive to follow compliance because haulers will be telling restaurants that they need to visit
more frequently rather than less frequently to ensure compliance is being followed correctly if
they are routinely exceeding 25%.
Council Member Corrieri inquired about outreach with restaurant owners whose first language is
not English. Ms. Evans responded that it has been a challenge; she has worked with two people
thus far. She said it took more one on one communication but noted she and Mr. Phillips are very
willing to work with them and communicate with them to help them understand the program.
Ryan Jeffrey, 2712 Lincoln Way, from the Arcadia Café noted that he is extremely pleased with
the plan that Phillips and Evans have proposed and complimented them on a job well done.
Scott Griffin, 316 Main Street, from Olde Main Brewery inquired about restaurants that don’t
make food; he believes that restaurants who don’t create food shouldn’t be a part of the program
because it would create less work for the City because they wouldn’t have to work with those
establishments. He also inquired about charges for multi-use buildings with one water line and
one meter.
Council Member Goodman inquired about cost for staff to administer this program. Ms. Evans
said that it is anticipated that this program will have no additional cost to staff.
STAFF REPORT ON WATER AND SEWER RATES: John Dunn, Director of Water and
Pollution Control, gave an overview of the water and sewer rates for FY 2014/15 which reflects
the staff recommendation to increase sewer rates by 8% effective July 1, 2014. Mr. Dunn
discussed national and state-wide trends in rates for water and sewer, projected need for revenue
increases in Ames, translating revenue increases to rate increases, fund reserve balances,
customer perspective, and City Council direction. The proposed projects are a combination of the
need to provide capacity for our growing community, the need to respond to new and anticipated
regulatory requirements, and the need to re-invest in the infrastructure of these two utilities that
are so essential.
Mr. Dunn recommended no rate increase for the Water Fund for FY 14/15. He also suggested
that the COA stay with 10% of Annual Operating Expenses for the operating reserve through FY
17/18 and begin increasing by 2% per year until at 25% of Annual Operating Expenses, inclusive
of debt service, in FY 18/19.
While discussing sewer funds, Mr. Dunn suggested an 8% sewer rate increase for FY 14/15
which will lead into an alternating yearly increase after FY 16/17. The recommended timeline
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for rate adjustment would be adopted, increased, and effective after July 1, 2014. Dunn
recommended that he be able to prepare an ordinance so it can be presented at the April 22
meeting.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Goodman, to direct staff to prepare an ordinance increasing sewer
rates by 8% effective July 1, 2014.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Betcher proposed that staff prepare a report
on FS residential densities. Ms. Betcher would like more explanation of the context on City-wide
comparison between the FS and the traditional residential zoning.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Goodman, to ask staff to prepare a report comparing FS density
to traditional residential densities.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Betcher also thanked the VEISHEA Central Committee for all of their hard work and efforts to
keep things safe.
Moved by Orazem, seconded by Nelson, to put the Elwell Rueter L.C. Company Text
Amendment request for a large real estate sign on a future agenda for additional discussion.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Goodman noted that Council received an email about a stop sign, but Council
will be holding off on discussion until the next meeting so that everyone has a chance to read the
email.
Council Member Gartin noted that he appreciates the hard work of City staff because it allows
the Council to make thoughtful, informed decisions.
City Manager Steve Schainker thanked the City Council for their hard work during VEISHEA
and announced that a new rep from GSB will be present at the next Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Goodman to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m.
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Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
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Erin Cain, Recording Secretary