THE CITY OF
101 NORTH COURT STREET
UTILITY COMMITTEE
Minutes
2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006, City Hall – Board Room
Aldermen Present: Alderwoman Hall (Chairman), Alderman Koontz.
City Staff Present: Kenny Shapiro,
Citizens/Representatives Present: Mr. Bruchey & Mrs. Leslie Bruchey; Mr. Harper, Division Manager, Frederick County Department of Public Works.
Alderman Hall was the only member present who had also attended the meeting last month, so no vote was taken.
.
Item 2: Discussion of a request by Mr. & Mrs. Bruchey to acquire land in the City Watershed.
Mr.
Bruchey was present to represent his son.
Mrs. Bruchey was also present.
The
Brucheys referred to handouts containing sketches of their property while they
made their presentation. Ms. Bruchey noted
that there are two options: swapping
land or purchasing property from the City.
They would like to build a house on the rear portion of the property,
but they are 8 ft. short of the minimum width required in a conservation
district.
Mr.
Eisenhart stated that the City has had a long-standing policy (recently
confirmed by the passing of a resolution by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen)
restricting further development in the watershed. He recommended denial of the request.
Alderman
Hall noted that the vote on the resolution occurred less than one month
ago.
Mr.
Eisenhart explained that one house does not make a big impact, but it does set
a precedent. In the future, development
in the watershed could cause septic problems.
In
response to a question posed by Mr. Davis regarding existing structures on the
property, the applicants stated that there is an existing house on the
site. However, they desire to construct
a new house.
Alderman
Koontz stated that he did not support additional development in the watershed.
Mr.
Eisenhart suggested the applicant try to obtain the needed land from an
adjacent property owner.
No
recommendations were made for this case.
Item 3: Discussion
of a request for multiple water and sewer connections at the
Mr.
Marc DeOCampo, Frederick City Planner, was present in support of this
case. He indicated that the County had
submitted a site plan for minor renovations to the existing
Mr.
Don Harper, Division Manager of Frederick County Department of Public Works,
stated that there are a number of different projects on the campus including a
new, enlarged nursing home, new salt barn, shed for salt trucks, and several
areas of expanded parking. There is no
need to replace the water and sewer connections for the
Mr.
Eisenhart stated that there are major water main loops to service the
campus. He wanted an acknowledgement
that a connection would be abandoned and one line utilized to serve three
sites.
Mr.
Harper stated that he would like to defer until the nursing home plans are
completed.
Mr.
Eisenhart noted that there are currently eight connections for the campus at
this time, and that it may not be reasonable to phase into one connection at
this time. However, as development
progresses he wants to phase the connections down to two connections.
He
suggested a motion or note on the plan that additional expansion would require
abandonment of the 4 inch line.
Alderman
Koontz moved to recommend that the request for multiple connections be approved
with the condition that within 10 years or at the time of the next submission
of plans for the property that the water main connections between Montevue Lane
and Rocky Springs Road be decreased to a total of two connections and that the
renovations for the Scott Key Center may move forward with approval at this
time. Alderman Hall seconded the motion.
Mr.
DeOcampo stated that he would move the project forward and ensure placement on
the next Mayor and Board meeting. He
noted that the plan is slated for a June Planning Commission hearing.
Announcements:
Ms.
Hall noted that she had two followup emails for the record. They will be scanned and attached to the
minutes by the webmaster.
There
being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
From: Keith Brown
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 1:29 PM
To: Marcia Hall; Donna Kuzemchak Ramsburg; Alan Imhoff
Cc: Sarah Stamper; Paul Lee; John Leisenring; Mary Lenhart
Subject: Utility Committee Update
Everyone,
Just wanted to update you on the
items brought up at the last meeting.
Item 4: On Monday April 10, 2006
myself and Gary Willard meet Mr. Mohammed Mujeebuddin at 309 Thomas Ave. regarding
his request for a $500.00 refund on the water and sewer bill. We arrived and
checked the meter reading and it was correct. The meter showed no leaks at this
time. The occupants had already used over 89,000 gallons for the upcoming bill.
We talked to the occupant and she advised that they had not only had a leak
under the bathroom sink, but the toilet had run for over 6 to 9 months or three
billing periods. She advised it was repaired 3 or 4 weeks ago. I checked the
damage caused by the pipe leak under the sink and the occupant advised that
only ran for appox. 3 to 4 hrs. The toilet had all new repair parts in it.
I advised Mr. Mujeebuddin that I
would adjust the sewer portion of the bill
a couple of thousand gallons to cover what did not go to sewer for the
pipe bursting under the sink. He would be responsible to pay the rest of the
bills due to the toilet leaking and not being repaired.
Item 5: Steve Khrone and myself meet
with M. W. Sikes at 115 W. 2nd St. Prebyterian Church about the meters. I believe
we have found away to install a fire flow meter at the property line. This
would allow all of the lines to be feed through one meter and they would not
need any committee approval. Mr. Sikes will advise Sarah if he wishes to be
removed from the next meeting.
( Paul the meter vault will have to
be hand built instead of using a pre-cast. This has been done else where in the
downtown area due to tight working area. I will call and talk to you about it,
if they decide to go this way.)
Keith W. Brown
Superintendent Water
Department
111 Airport Drive East
Frederick, Md. 21701
Phone: 301-600-1182
Fax: 301-600-3861
E-mail: keith@cityoffrederick.com
_____________________________________________
From: Mary Lenhart
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 2:17 PM
To: Keith Brown; Alan Imhoff; Marcia Hall; Donna Kuzemchak Ramsburg
Cc: Sarah Stamper; John Leisenring; Stacy Harnish
Subject: RE: 309 Thomas Ave.
Additionally,
Joanne Thomas stated she
was too angry and upset to set up a payment plan following her appeal. I asked her to please get in touch to with me
as soon as possible if she wanted to move forward with the offer the City had
extended to her. As of today, she has
not contacted me. I told her I would
contact her on Monday if we had not heard from her.
Mary Lenhart
x21420
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Brown
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 1:30 PM
To: Alan Imhoff; Marcia Hall; Donna
Kuzemchak Ramsburg
Cc: Sarah Stamper; John Leisenring; Mary
Lenhart; Stacy Harnish
Subject: 309 Thomas Ave.
Utility
Committee Members,
I wanted
to keep you informed about the water bill complaint that was heard on Tuesday March
28, 2006. As of the this time Mr. Mohammed Mujeebuddin owner of the above
address has not contacted Stacy or I to set up an appointment to verify the
damage to support his request to reduce the sewer portion of the bill.
If he
calls we will be glad to verify.
Keith W. Brown
Superintendent Water Department
111 Airport Drive East
Frederick, Md. 21701
Phone: 301-600-1182
Fax: 301-600-3861
E-mail: keith@cityoffrederick.com