THE CITY OF FREDERICK

101 NORTH COURT STREET

FREDERICK, MARYLAND 21701

 

REVISED

 

UTILITY COMMITTEE

Minutes

 

Wednesday, March 9th, 2005,  City Hall -  Room 214

Present:  Alderman Bill Hall, Alderman David Lenhart, Alderman Donna Kuzemchak Ramsburg, Saundra Nickols, Randy Connatser, Neil Clemens, Paul Lee, Dan Christy, Chuck Boyd, Eileen Farrar, Pam Reppert, Harris Schwalb, Rand Weinberg, Chris Smariga, Mark Murray,

 

Item 1: Approval of the minutes from the meeting of February 9th, 2005.

Minutes were approved as written. 

 

Item 2: Continued discussion from the meeting of February 9th, 2005 for a request by First Baptist Church to access the City of Frederick sewer system. 

TABLED UNTIL THE MEETING OF APRIL 13TH, 2005

 

Item 3:  Discussion and consideration of a request by Harris, Smariga & Associates, Inc.on behalf of the Cramer family regarding a proposal to build a pump station to serve a portion of a proposed residential subdivision at the intersection of Linden and Poplar Avenues. 

Mr. Weinberg stated that he was representing this development that has been working with the Cramer family and that Mr. Smariga has been working with Neil Clemons to develop a way to sewer this property. Mr. Weinberg stated that 10 to 15 years ago the city put a force main into the property line to handle the use of this property for the future. Mr. Weinberg also stated that   if there is no economically or practically feasible means of gravity sewering the site, they would like to get approval for the property owner to construct a pumping station at the property owners expense and then get the committee’s concurrence to work out a mechanism with the staff to ensure that the city does not pay for the maintenance of the of the station. Mr. Weinberg said that the Homeowners Association comprising of the 54 lots that will be in the development would assume responsibility.  Mr. Weinberg stated that the city should not bear any expense in building and maintaining of the station and it can be set up in the HOA documents to be approved by the City’s legal department to ensure that the HOA is responsible for maintenance of the station.  Mr. Smariga explained the development would be located at Linden and Hoke at the top of the hill behind the Red Horse restaurant. Mr. Smariga further explained the design of the development and stated that the Development Review and the planning commission are very receptive to this plan.  Mr. Smarigo stated where the force mains were located and why the city placed them at this location.  Mr. Smariga stated that he had been working with Neil Clemons of the city and noted that there are no easements from any of the surrounding properties and the intersection that would have to be filled.  Mr. Smariga explained other options involving some lots that would still not be able to drain to Linden.  Mr. Paul Lee stated that with any mechanical systems, anything could go wrong and the city would be called out.  Mr. Lee also stated that the City has six pump stations and spoke of Amber Meadows as an example. Mr. Lee stated that if only the six or seven lots talked about would need to be pumped, the city would not recommend this.  Mr. Lee stated that it would be acceptable to have the agreement with an HOA but in the event of a rainstorm in the middle of the night and the pump station floods, DPW would still be called out.  Mr. Weinberg believes that the force main was built for a reason and that this was going to be the way to sewer this property. Mr. Weinberg spoke of the pumping station being owned by the city and maintained by the city, but there would be an annual fee to the HOA or having it maintained by the HOA.  Discussion continued regarding the possibility of special assessment taxes for protection against any liability against the HOA.  Mr. Weinberg stated that the HOA document would contain a provision that says if the HOA does not meet the obligation the city could then asses each of the lots in the development and send a bill for their pro rata share for the cost of whatever obligations there are. 

A lengthy discussion continued as to the proper procedures to be put in place before approval of this concept can be put forward.  

Motion:    Alderman Lenhart moved to endorse the concept of a pumping station to move sewage to a forced main already on existing property and that the applicant will return to the Utility committee with an agreement for a final recommendation to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen based on the testimony given at this meeting and with further information from engineering and the water department of public works.  Seconded by Alderman Bill Hall. Alderman Ramsburg was not present. 

 

Minutes submitted by Eileen S. Farrar