THE CITY OF FREDERICK
101 NORTH COURT STREET
FREDERICK, MARYLAND 21701
UTILITY COMMITTEE
Minutes
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006, City Hall - Room 216
Aldermen Present: Alderman Bill Hall (Chairman), Alderwoman Marcia Hall.
City Staff Present: Saundra Nickols, City Attorney; John Leisenring, Chief Financial Officer; Mary Lenhart, Finance; Thomas Davis, Manager – Utilities Planning-Engineering Department; Randy Connatser, Deputy Director of Public Works; Keith Brown, Water Superintendent; Pat Keegin, Facilities Manager; Chip Stitely, Sewer Superintendent; Josh Bazis, Planning; Neil Clemens, Engineering; Sarah Stamper, Engineering Department Secretary.
Citizens/Representatives Present: Mr. Fred Barlow, WNG Wireless Network Group; Ms. Michelle Martz-Bowles, OLDFRED Properties, LLC; Ms. Kori Purdum, Proffitt & Associates; Mr. Mark Herr, Frederick County Public Schools; Ms. Jane Shoemaker, citizen.
Alderwoman Marcia Hall moved to approve the minutes. Alderman Bill Hall seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Item 2: Discussion of a request by Nextel to allow them to install a wireless facility on the City-owned water tank on Butterfly Lane.
Mr. Fred Barlow was
present to represent Nextel. He handed
out an exhibit and stated that the proposal is to co-locate on the existing
water tank on Butterfly Lane.
Mr. Brown stated that the
proposal is to add a building/enclosure as well as cables. The site is now an eyesore. He suggested that the committee do a field
visit and/or request the applicant submit an aesthetic study.
In response to a question
by Mr. Brown, Mr. Barlow asked if a structural analysis would be helpful. Mr. Brown advised that a structural analysis
would be part of the process and required paper work.
Alderman Bill Hall noted
that the committee is only a recommending body.
Mr. Barlow responded to a
question by stating that Nextel does not currently have any antennas on the
tank.
Alderwoman Hall stated
that she feels the residents in the area will be opposed to the proposed
shelter.
Mr. Brown noted that it
is important for the City to maintain access all the way around the tank.
Mr. Barlow stated that he
would go back to Nextel to determine if they could achieve the same results
with fewer antennas. In addition, he
will explore more aesthetic plans. He
noted that Nextel is the only company to still utilize the shelters.
Mr. Brown requested that
Nextel wait at least 60 days for the City to research the request before coming
back before the committee. In the
meantime, Mr. Brown would setup a meeting to include member of the Departments
of Engineering, Facilities, Nextel, and himself.
Alderwoman Marcia Hall
moved to continue the case for 60 days.
Alderman Bill Hall seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.
Item 3: Discussion of a request by Kline Scott Visco to
allow modification to the restrictions on an easement granted to Ms. Sonya
Stull for an access road on City property in the City Watershed. (PULLED FROM AGENDA AS REQUESTED BY
APPLICANT).
This item was pulled
after placement on the agenda.
Item 4: Discussion of a request by OLDFRED Properties, LLC
to review the water bill for 21 East Church Street.
Ms. Martz-Bowles stated
that the building was empty when they acquired the property. They did replace some toilet parts. She questioned if the excessive bill was a
result of the Church Street construction.
Mr. Brown stated that he
and his staff had visited the property several times to check the readings, and
inspect the plumbing fixtures. At one
inspection, one office bathroom was locked so it could not be checked. However, access was granted to the
office/bathroom at a subsequent site visit, and it seemed to be operating
properly. During the inspections no leaks were detected and the meter seemed to
be operating properly. In order for the
meter to run, water has to flow through the meter. The basement was not wet.
He offered to pull the meter and have the meter tested to be sure it is
functioning properly. However, he noted
that he has never found a meter to run fast.
Mr. Lee asked if the
meter in question on Church Street was located inside the building or
outside. He noted that meters located
inside buildings are not affected by breaks in the waterlines.
Ms. Bowles stated that
she couldn’t figure out an explanation for the unusually high water bill. Ms. McGill was the only tenant in the
building at the time.
Alderman Bill Hall stated
that the only recourse the committee had was to test the meter.
Mr. Brown agreed to pull
the meter and test it as soon as possible.
Alderwoman Marcia Hall
questioned if there was an outside faucet on the building. Ms. Bowles answered that there is an outside
faucet but that she always keeps it turned off.
In response to a question
as to when she acquired the property, Ms. Bowles answered that she bought the
building in 2004 and the first water bill she paid was in August 2004.
Mr. Brown stated that he
would pull the meter for testing, and that he could even send the meter to the
manufacturer for testing.
Alderman Hall asked if
the toilet on the property was changed in 2003, why there was an indication of
new parts in the plumbing at this time.
It was agreed that once
the meter was pulled and tested, that the bill would be paid (payment
arrangements can be made through the Finance Department) if the meter was
operating properly. If the meter was
found to be defective, than the bill would be waived.
Item 5: Discussion of a request by Proffitt & Associates
Architects to allow three sanitary sewer house connections on a single property
for the Earth and Space Science Lab at South Frederick Elementary.
Mr. Josh Bazis noted that
he was the case planner for this project.
He noted that Neil Clemens, Randy Connatser, Keith Brown, and Saundra
Nickols who are also City staff members, were familiar with this project.
Ms. Kori Purdum, Proffitt
& Associates, and Mr. Mark Herr,
Frederick County Public Schools, were also present for this project.
This project needs one
additional sewer house connection.
However, the site already has two sewer house connections and two water
house connections.
Alderwoman Hall stated
that it seems like a logical request.
Alderman Hall asked if
there were any objections.
Mr. Clemens stated that
staff brought the request before the committee since field conditions changed
and an additional sewer house connection was needed.
Alderwoman Hall asked if
two of the connections would be made into one connection on Madison.
On a motion by Alderwoman
Hall, seconded by Alderman Bill Hall, the motion was approved.
Item 6: Discussion of a request by Jane Shoemaker to review
the water bill for 514 Grant Place.
Ms. Shoemaker was present
to address her request. She noted that
she felt the bill she received was excessive.
She noted that she had a plumber come to inspect her home. However, everything was normal at the
time. She had been informed that the
City would return to read the meter, but she was not notified when it was
reread.
Mr. Brown stated that a
notice was hung on her door on November 2, 2005 advising her of high
consumption. The City received a call
from Ms. Shoemaker’s daughter, and the meter was re-read. The electric reading matched the
visual. The meter for this property is
a pit meter located outside in front of the property between the sidewalk and
the curb and gutter. At the time the
meter was reread, a new water control flapper was observed on the toilet on the
first floor. The basement and toilet
were fine. The floor drains were
checked and the damper was not stuck open.
Ms. Mangus was advised of the findings.
No problems could be found. Mr.
Chip Stitley, of the water department, was contacted and no water line had been
severed during construction.
Consumption is back to normal.
Alderwoman Marcia Hall
asked if the resident had outside faucets.
She advised the resident to be sure to keep the outdoor faucets turned
off.
Mr. Brown responded to Alderwoman Hall’s
question by responding that no water damage was observed in the house.
Alderwoman Hall stated
that the meters are rarely incorrect.
However, she felt the meter should be pulled and tested. In addition, should the meter be operating
correctly, she mentioned setting up payment arrangements.
Ms. Shoemaker noted that
she is being charged 6% interest from the date of the billing while this case
is pending.
Alderwoman Marcia Hall
moved to waive the interest on the bill, and to test the meter. If the meter is found to be accurate, the
total amount billed (less interest) must be paid by Ms. Shoemaker. If needed, payment arrangements can be setup
by contacting the City of Frederick Finance Department. Alderman Bill Hall seconded the motion which
was unanimously approved.
Mr. Brown indicated that
when City staff came to test the meter, members of his crew would knock on the
door prior to removing the meter. The
water would be shutoff for approximately one hour, the meter removed and
tested, and then the meter would be re-installed and the water turned back on.
Footnote:
Per email dated 1/11/06 from Keith Brown, the water meter was pulled and
tested. The results showed the meter
was 99% accurate. Low Flow @ ¼ gpm was
98%, Med. Flow @ 2 gpm was 100% and High Flow @ 15 gpm was 99% accurate. This means the meter was within factory
ranges. The meter has been reinstalled
and a copy of the findings given to the property owner. They will be responsible to pay the bill.
There being no further
business, the meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.