Everyone on Council and in the Administration understands the need to comply with the Consent Decree that Council approved last year. No one suggests that Euclid should fight the Federal Government. We all know that some additional money was needed now to keep the system from insolvency. And, we reached this point because of inaction from the Administration.
For example:
1) It was recommended that rates to run the plant be raised all the way back in Oct 2010. The Administration wasted all of 2011 doing nothing while the system slipped into insolvency.
2) The Administration knew for years that the Capital Fund (Peterson) Account was running short of money. Again, no action was taken in 2011. That meant critical projects could not be done, raising their ultimate cost.
This inaction backed Council into a corner: either pass some rate increase, or not be able to pay workers and pay back debt.
3) Since January, the Administration has presented different plans to comply with the EPA, and, different cost numbers. The estimates of the compliance plan has gone up 45 million dollars since January alone.
4) The City initially presented to Council 2010 cost estimates instead of the most current figures. In the meetings since, City Council has continue to receive incorrect, or out of date numbers.
5) When Council finally heard a formal presentation on the Membrane Technology on March 12, the representative from CT Consultant (the City Engineering firm) could not answer many questions, and, crafted his presentation in part, from the Wiekipidia entry on the technology.
6) We still don't know if the technology is truly ready for implementation in Euclid as the Council was just told last week that the technology was only now evaluated for readiness to use in a system like Euclid's
7) The Administration will now look at green infrastructure technology. While this is welcomed
this should have been done years ago as part of the overall planing process. There are potentially millions of dollars in savings in such programs.
8) EPA has not approved of any of the plant improvements
This chaotic, piecemeal, helter skelter approach in trying to convince Council to pass the largest rate increase in City history (with more increases to come) was simply inferior. They presented only half a program, a gray infrastructure program. You, as rate payers should truly question how system improvements are planned and, how your money is spent.
Four of us on City Council (Scarniench, Jones, Gilliham, Langman) proposed a compromise: raise the rates enough to keep the plant running, and, do needed (and approved) SSO projects. Delay the rest of the increases until you have; 1) EPA approval; 2) a better plan in place; 3)time to have more meeting with you, the rate payers.
That compromise was rejected. Instead, the Council majority simply rubber stamped the increase. Now that the Administration has the funding in place, Council lost its last chance to effectively monitor and improve the plan. The majority is counting on frequent meetings going forward to monitor progress. I am skeptical of this, as City Council did little in 2011 and has not really done this type of oversight for many years.
The Absurdity of the Majority
In the attempt to justify the rate increase, the Administration and some on Council claim that the increase is not a big deal because natural gas prices have dropped. In other words, it is less painful to you because you are saving money elsewhere. Of course, that argument is absurd. Just drive by any gas station. And with the rise in fuel prices, the cost of food is also rising. But more importantly, we in public service should NEVER presume to know what you can afford, or how you should be spending your money. We must always remember who we work for, and, have some understanding for how tough it is for many of you.
Some Good News
Also, Monday night, a resolution in support of Green infrastructure was unanimously passed by City Council. The Administration will develop a Request for Proposal to ask experienced firms to work with our current consultants to develop a comprehensive green infrastructure program.
While this should have been done years ago, and, the City is far behind, we can catch up. It will require some deliberate, focused action to get this firm on board quickly.
In the meantime you can do your part: If you are a home owner, you can keep water out of the storm system by disconnecting your downspout. For further details, call the City of Euclid Engineering Department at 289-8100 Ask about the downspout disconnect program. Since the City is going green, I'm sure someone at City Hall would be willing to help you.
In the meantime, don't forget to answer the poll questions.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment