City Establishes Stormwater Utility
Under the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has required certain municipalities to maintain storm sewer systems. Warsaw is among the cities that falls under the regulations and, on Monday night, the Warsaw Common Council took its first step in establishing a stormwater utility department.
EPA guidelines determine which communities, counties and even operations such as prisons must establish storm sewer systems based on population. While Kosciusko County as a whole does not yet meet the criteria, the city of Warsaw does.
Theresa Sailor is the city’s stormwater consultant and presented the council with a proposal for the Warsaw Stormwater Utility. In short, it was suggested the operations be consolidated under one department. Currently, responsibilities fall under the Waste Water Treatment Utility, the city’s engineering department, Public Works Department and the planning and building department.
Historically, Warsaw also had minimal funding for the operations. With the establishment of the Warsaw Stormwater Utility, user fees will eventually be set for all city residents. Again, the city falls under the EPA regulations meaning it must establish a stormwater management program to collect, dispose of and drain storm water to relieve the sanitary sewer system.
User fees were not discussed last night because the process is only beginning. The only action taken by the council so far was the first reading to approve the ordinance creating a stormwater utility and to have it operated through the Wastewater Treatment Utility and managed by the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety. Second reading on the ordinance will be held during the council’s next regular meeting on Jan. 6.
In other business:
- Councilman Jerry Frush voiced his opinion on a recent B.O.W. decision regarding a landlord failing to pay sewage fees. (See related) Frush said he feels the city should have collected interest on the past due amount claiming the property owner has a history of noncompliance. Councilman Jeff Grose, who also serves on the B.O.W., responded, “I don’t want to get into who’s a liar or cheater and at the end of the day, we’re still getting our money. We’re trying to be a good neighbor.” Additionally, councilman Charlie Smith, also a B.O.W. member, said, per state law, the city is not allowed to charge interest on such accounts.
- Council woman Cindy Dobbins noted the good snow removal efforts of the city employees. Councilman Mike Klondaris agreed, but noted some additional efforts to clear sidewalks need to be made by residents and tenants. In Warsaw, the city ordinance requires residents and landlords/tenants to clear the sidewalks in front of their home or business. “We just want to ask everyone to be good neighbors,” added council woman Diane Quance.