Rates not going up (02/17/2009)

Portland's water and sewage rates will remain the same, for now.

H.J. Umbaugh and Associates recently studied the city's water and sewage rates, and presented results to members of the Portland City Council Monday night.

The past financial status of both the water department and wastewater treatment plant was analyzed and future projections were made.

Jeff Rowe of the Plymouth office of H.J. Umbaugh, told council members that he didn't see a need for an increase in either the water or sewage rates. However, projected improvements to the city's sewer system may make it necessary to increase sewage rates in 2010 or 2011. Improvements include the separation of storm and sanitary sewers and expanding the wastewater treatment plant. The city will likely have to sell bonds to finance the project.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, added that other funding options, such as grants, may be available for the projects.

The last study of the water and sewage rates was conducted in 2004.

Also Monday, Hosier, city officials and council members said goodbye to Linda Kennedy, city clerk-treasurer. She is retiring and her last day of work will be Feb. 28. Randy Geesaman, 55, will take over as clerk-treasurer on March 1. He recently was appointed by the Democratic party to serve the remaining two years of the term.

At the end of the meeting, Hosier presented Kennedy with a Mayor's Community Achievement Award for Excellence.

Don Gillespie, who joined the council this year, thanked Kennedy for all of her help. Kennedy also served two terms on the council.

After she was presented the plaque, Kennedy told the council members that she has enjoyed working with them. "It's been a pleasure and it's been great," she said. A small reception was then held.

In other business, council members took no action on a request to review how city sewage bills are figured.

John Ferguson, who owns a rental property on West Votaw Street, told the council that he had a large water leak in the kitchen. It does not fall under the city's ordinance to reduce the sewage portion of water/sewage bills. To qualify for an adjustment, the leak must occur between the house and the meter.

Ferguson said that because the water leaked into the house and outside it did not go to the city's wastewater plant. Thus, his bill should have not included a charge for sewage.

The city's current policy is to split a water/sewage bill evenly between the water and wastewater departments.

Ferguson said he hoped to resolve the issue in a friendly manner, but he has already contacted the American Civil Liberties Union for assistance.

Hosier suggested the council members review the request and discuss it again at a future meeting.

The matter died, due to lack of motion, but Hosier invited Ferguson to attend the next council meeting, which will be held March 2.

Also Monday, council members:

•Voted to move $10,000 from the Portland Economic Development Income Tax fund into the city's promotion fund.

Hosier plans to use the money to visit Japan to promote the city, and to go to Washington D.C. to lobby for earmark funds for the remaining work on Hudson Family Park.

•Learned that city officials have been working to get projects ready so they may be funded by federal stimulus money.

Bill Bradley, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation, said the state is expected to receive $6 billion in stimulus funds. The money will be distributed to communities through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Department of Transportation, he said.

Ami Huffman, community developer, said that in order to be considered for stimulus funds, projects must be ready for bidding in 180 days. She said city projects that might qualify for stimulus funds include the separation of storm and sanitary sewers, resurfacing on Main and Morton streets, the extension of Lafayette Street and new sidewalks. She also would like to see the Bryant storm water project, the Dunkirk and Redkey water improvement projects, and the building of a new fire station in Pennville all funded by stimulus money.

•Heard Hosier report that work on the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project is expected to resume in mid-March.

•Voted to close portions of West Main, East Main, Court, Commerce and Ship streets on May 16 and Oct. 3 for Arch Bridge Kroozers cruise-ins.

The same streets also will be closed on from 3 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 16 for the Welcome Home to Portland Festival.

Council members also voted to close East Main Street, between Meridian and Harrison streets on the evenings of May 15 and Oct. 2 for a small cruise-in.[[In-content Ad]]The boundaries of the city of Portland may be expanding again.

City officials hope to expand the northwest portion of the city. Plans for the annexation were presented to members of the Portland City Council Monday night.

Kristi Sturtz of Sturtz Public Management Group said the annexation would include about 190 acres located south of county road 100 North, northwest of Industrial Park Drive and north of Votaw Street. The properties currently are owned by the city, Justin Schafer, and Jacqueline Delauter. The city-owned property considered for annexation is all of the Portland Municipal Airport.

At Votaw Street, the western edge of the area being proposed for annexation is near Ja-mar TV & Appliance. That border runs north to just south of county road 100 South, then east to pick up the airport property.

Sturtz said she has spoken to Schafer and Delauter and neither is opposed to the annexation.

Two homes and land located just west of the airport, one of which is owned by Schafer, are not included in the proposed area of annexation.

Sturtz said the purpose of the annexation would be to make way for future development and more jobs. The acreage up for annexation must be contiguous with city limits, which it is.

The property being considered for annexation is currently zoned as highway service and agricultural.

The next step in the annexation process is to create an ordinance to annex the land, Sturtz said. The ordinance likely will be introduced at the March 2 council meeting.

The affected property owners will be notified by certified mail of the proposed annexation. A public hearing on the matter may be held in June and the council can vote on the matter. There will be a 90-day remonstrance period. If it passes and there are no remonstrances filed, Jan. 11, 2010, would be the date that the annexation would go into effect, she said.

"I definitely recommend that you move forward" with the annexation process, she said to council members, who agreed.