Council OKs treatment plant up-grades

Published:  Friday, October 16, 2009 (3 months, 3 weeks ago)
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BY GREG SCHERGER
The Delphos Herald
gscherger@delphosherald.com

DELPHOS — Delphos City Council met in regular session Tuesday evening; two council members, Joseph Martz and James Hanser were absent.
Council first addressed the vacation of a portion of Washington and Jackson streets and an alley in proximity to the same. Specifically, the portion of Washington Street affected is located between Cleveland Street and the New York Central Railroad; and between the New York Central Railroad and First Street. The portion of Jackson Street considered is located between the east line of Washington Street and the east line of Main Street, and between the west line of Main Street and the Van Wert/Allen County line.
The affected alley is located in the same area, between city lots 323, 324, 325 and 326.  Prior to the council meeting, a public hearing was held regarding the proposed street and alley vacation. Two residents with adjacent property to the streets and/or alley expressed interest in securing the vacated land contiguous to their respective properties.
The ordinance will be further considered at the next council meeting on Oct. 27.
Council also considered on first reading a considerable number of amendments to the codified City Municipal Income Tax Ordinance in order to achieve compliance with the Ohio Revised Code. This legislation will likewise be further considered at the next council session.
Council read but took no definitive action on three related ordinances placing liens on properties at 1211 North Main, 1233 North Main, and 829 North Moening streets. All properties have delinquent utility accounts collectively totaling $2,014.79. The ordinances contained “emergency clause” language providing for potential passage on first reading, however, they could not be brought considered for passage Tuesday evening with the absence of two council members and will be addressed at the next meeting.
Council brought from the table and passed legislation to contract with Peterson Construction of Wapakoneta for the installation of new improved Turbo Blower Equipment at the city wastewater treatment plant. The successful bid for the project, funded completely by Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act monies, totaled $836,000, below the appropriate estimated project cost of $990,700.
The new equipment will provide a greater efficiency within the membrane system of the treatment plant and is expected to save the city an estimated $40,000 annually in electrical consumption cost within this plant process.
Council also approved contract with Current Energy Solutions of Ohio for the installation of electronic devices, including surge suppressors and regulators, to limit spike energy consumption at the treatment plant. The successful bid by Current Energy Solutions was the only project bid received; the project cost is $77,000 and is 100 percent funded by the FRRA. In essence, the Delphos Wastewater Treatment Plant will receive $913,000 in improvements aimed at curtailing electrical usage and increasing plant efficiency, completely funded by federal tax dollars.
In other business, council received a proposal of the 2010 budget, the proposal a work in process, not yet finalized for presentation.
City Safety Service Director Greg Berquist noted that a directive to all city departments has been made to curtail expenses as much as possible.
Councilman Kevin Osting voiced his concern over increases in the water and sewer accounts, indicating that from his perspective, this area of city expense is not being well controlled.
City Auditor Tom Jettinghoff addressed council on the status of the water and sewer accounts, and a projection of the same from the present through 2015. Although currently in the black, both accounts are projected to show a significant and increasing deficit through 2015 based on the current revenue and expenditure rates. Councilman Dave Knebel suggested that the subject of the water and sewer account balance be addressed at the next utilities committee meeting.
City Solicitor Glenn Lause was directed to draft an ordinance for the next council session to address parameters for “residential yard maintenance.”

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