-THE CITY OF FREDERICK

101 NORTH COURT STREET

FREDERICK, MARYLAND 21701

 

UTILITY COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 12th,  2003 - Room 214, City Hall - 9:00 a.m.

 

Minutes

                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

 

Present:  Alderman Bill Hall, Chairman,  Alderman Dave Lenhart, Alderman Donna Kuzemchak Ramsburg, Marc Stachowski, W. Thomas Summers, Philip Brewer, Stan Swoyer, Chris Smariga, Randy Connatser, Keith Brown, Monica Robyns, Saundra Nickols, Dan Christy, Eileen Farrar

 

Item 1:  Approval of the minutes of October 8th, 2003 meeting.

Minutes were approved as written. 3-0 in Favor.

 

Item 2: Discussion and consideration of a request by Harris, Smariga & Associates, Inc. on behalf of the VFW Country Club to abandon the well which serves the existing clubhouse and connect to City water service along Alternate Route 40 for the new clubhouse.

 

Discussion:  Mr. Keith Brown stated that he felt this issue had come before the Mayor and Board of Alderman and a previous Utility meeting in 1998 and read notes from his records.  Mr. Chris Smariga stated that he was not aware of the previous decisions made. A lengthy discussion continued regarding what was discussed at a previous meeting and how that meeting could pertain to this meeting. Mr. Smariga stated that the reason for returning to the Utility committee was due to a new site plan and he questioned whether or not the committee needed to revote on the second tap. Alderman Ramsburg stated that the question is not whether the second tap has been approved for the property that was to be closed off in the future, but she recalled not using the second tap for irrigation purposes, but the well to be used for irrigation purposes.  Mr. Brown stated that he recalled in discussions was that the water that is now being used for the clubhouse would be tied into the well that the applicant is now using for irrigation along with the city water.  Alderman Ramsburg moved to table the remainder of this discussion until information was brought forward from a previous Mayor and Board meeting.  Alderman Lenhart seconded. 

 

Item 3: Discussion and consideration of a request by Harris, Smariga & Associates, Inc. on behalf of Brewer’s Alley at 124 N. Market Street to review site plan which includes underground utilities in the area of the proposed expansion by Brewer’s Alley.

 

Discussion: Mr. Chris Smariga explained the site plan that showed the location of the proposed addition to the existing Brewer’s Alley. Mr. Smariga stated that there was an easement, a storm drain and a sanitary sewer over the existing area. Alderman Ramsburg asked if it would be difficult to fix any problems that might occur and if you could build without damaging the utilities. Mr. Smariga stated that they had 3and1/2 foot clearance over the drain and 8 feet over the sanitary sewer.  Mr. Smariga spoke about possible encasement of the storm drain.  Another question was asked about the maintenance issue.  Randy Connatser explained how it would be difficult for the city to fix a problem under an enclosed building. Alderman Hall suggested the applicant go back and review their plans due to problems that still exist. Mr. Connatser suggested that the applicant stay out of the easement.  Mr. Smariga asked if there was a way to build over the easement without damage and investigate the maintenance issue.  Mr. Smariga suggested that the applicant work with the city water and sewer staff to work the cost involved. 

 

Motion:  Alderman Ramsburg moved for a continuance of thirty days for the applicant to work with city water and sewer staff on a feasible plan for expansion. Seconded by Alderman Lenhart.  Vote was 3-0 in favor. 

   

Item 4:  Discussion and consideration of a request by Eduro Technologies, Inc. to lease space on each of the city’s water towers to install fixed broadband wireless equipment.

Discussion:   Mr. Swoyer stated how this company was located in the City on All Saints Streets and explained how the equipment would be connected.  Mr. Keith Brown asked questions about the power supply and how power would be supplied.  Mr. Swoyer stated that the power would be supplied by the City of Frederick or have the power company supply it on the city’s behalf.  Mr. Swoyer explained the power usage (pertaining to the apparatus shown to the committee) would be approximately the same as a 60 watt light bulb. Mr. Brown stated that he would have to have the electrical department look into the capacity of power that is available on our services.  Mr. Swoyer stated that Mr. Pat Keegin has forwarded a copy of the city’s leases to them and they have been reviewed.  Mr. Brown stated that the city has never sold electricity and that this would have to be budgeted. Mr. Swoyer explained that this connection was essential for this business to grow.  Mr. Brown asked if it was going on the three elevated tanks or ground sewage tanks as well. Mr. Swoyer said only the elevated tanks. 

 

Motion:  Alderman Ramsburg moved to have this request brought forward as a consent agenda item on the Mayor and Board Agenda after applicant has worked with city staff with a final design. Seconded by Alderman Lenhart.  Vote 3-0 in favor.

 

Continuation of Discussion  Item #2:   The committee continued to look at and discuss backup information from the minutes of July 15th 1998 Utility committee meeting and from the Mayor and Board of Alderman meeting of August 6th, 1998.  Alderman Ramsburg asked why the request was to made to abandon the well and the answer was from the Clubhouse and the swimming pool.  Alderman Lenhart asked about the use of water from the well by the city and asked if an agreement could be added to the motion. Alderman Lenhart stated the Legal department should review any agreements made in 1998. Saundra Nickols was asked why this applicant needed to attend a separate meeting.  Ms. Nickols stated that the agreement from 1998 allowed a second tap for the existing clubhouse at that time.  Alderman Ramsburg stated that even though the old building was being torn down, the new building has to have a new site plan.  Alderman Ramsburg asked Ms. Nickols if a condition of approval for the extra tap could be that the city could tap into the extra wells without the permission of the applicant.  

 

Motion: Alderman Ramsburg moved to recommend to allow the VFW Country Club to abandon the well for use for any building on the property and to allow a second  tap to serve the new clubhouse and the swimming pool with a condition that after legal research the city be allowed to tap into the extra wells without the permission of the applicant.   Seconded by Alderman Lenhart.  Vote 3-0 in favor.

 

Minutes submitted by Eileen Farrar

Next meeting date is December 10th, 2003 in room 214, City Hall.