| | CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND JOURNAL OF CONGRESSIONAL MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2007 10:00 AM | |
| Present: | Mayor Isadore S. Ramos | | |
| | Robert E. Cusack | ) | Council Members |
| | Valerie A. Perry | ) | |
| | Bryan P. Silva | ) | |
| | | | |
| | Richard M. Brown | ) | City Manager |
| | William J. Conley, Jr. | ) | City Solicitor |
| | Virginia B. Nunes | ) | City Clerk |
| | Chris Vitale | ) | City Capitol List Group |
| | George Carvalho | ) | Representative from Sheldon Whitehouse’s Office |
| | Dennis Reilly | ) | Representative from Jack Reed’s Office |
| | George Zenyah | ) | Representative from Patrick Kennedy’s Office |
Mr. Brown works with Chris, and there is a freeze on funding. Waste water facility needs $53 million, in essence building a new facility. We’re looking for assistance.
Mayor Ramos states the plant does need repairs. When Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Reed and Mr. Whitehouse were campaigning, I was there and they told me if I needed help to call on them. I’m asking for some money. There’s a great push to sell our plant. I call $53 million a wish list. We need the plant to be up to standards and upgrade our plant. I’m a regular guy this is our family. I do not want Narragansett Bay Commission taking over. Our community and Council, we never get money. Narragansett Bay Commission got $40 - $50 million recently for Bucklin Point. At the Election they said they’ll help. Well the Elections over and I need help now. At the plant they said it was the first time they saw a politician there. Councilman Cusack, Councilman Silva and I visited and learned from those people.
Mr. Vitale states regarding water money, they have an idea, a set amount each year. There is nothing set aside for this year. $200,000 million to fund specific areas, 150-180 projects across the country, $400,000 or $500,000 million, and the majority at 2/3 under a million. Federal Procreations Department $200,000 million across the country.
Councilman Cusack asks if it was water and sewer.
Mr. Vitale states yes.
Mr. Reilly states EPA – DEM Nitrogen limits. Barrington pumps a small amount. Hard to call it a Regional Facility, there is no governing authority.
Mr. Zenyah asks is it all from the city.
Mr. Brown states no, Rumford goes to Bucklin Point; Narragansett Bay Commission bills City of East Providence. We need $53 million.
Mayor Ramos states Councilman Cusack, Councilman Silva and I visited the plant and to bring it up basically to standard $15 - $16 million on target. Mr. Brown is saying
$53 million, that’s basically for a new facility.
Mr. Brown states CDM Study 2005; $37 Million to meet permit. Then factor in pump across the river with the scope of upgrade Nitrogen by the people who hold our permit. Rate payer’s Administrative level with CDM $3.05 - $4.00 $1 Million increase I’m getting a great deal of resistance. We are looking at 3 tiers, residential, commercial, and industrial. Residence, small Commercial, not enough big Industrial. I don’t think it will change things.
Mr. Zenyah states air marked best case scenario, you would be fortunate, total of $1 million ½ House ½ Senate. Air marks other budgets, best case just over a million, don’t budget from it.
Mr. Carvalho states 2007 Fiscal year no air marks. For 2008 if they do, it would be late.
Mr. Vitale asks where’s the real money time frame quickly.
Mayor Ramos asks, yes, where is the real money.
Mr. Zenyah asks where we are with DEM.
Mr. Conley states it’s a process of phasing Nitrogen permit 2 years. Expand Nitrogen discard level. We have a hearing office 2/14/07, we’ve been chastised for delaying complete facility study of Agreement First Step $150,000 - $200,000 12-18 months 1/3 $35 million then 18 -24 months next phase DEM. They want it complete by that time. Time wise arguing 6 months in failing to meet time they say it will be $10,000 a day. We don’t agree with that, but will be more than the usual $1,000 a day. They feel we’re non cooperative for 3 years making substantial progress upgrade and nitrogen level.
Mr. Brown states $3.05 to over $6.03 in 10 years.
Mr. Zenyah asks 100% taxpayers.
Mr. Brown states yes.
Mr. Zenyah states capacity, CDM standards, DEM arguing their requirements, CDM will help with upgrades, don’t need to be extensive.
Councilman Cusack states DEM stops at what we discharge
Mr. Conley states DEM says ABC, we say AB here’s proof CDM.
Mr. Brown states we made the Nitrogen level last month because of the weather.
Mr. Conley states when plant is operating at its’ capacity with our equipment, and the weather is right. Nitrogen negotiable 8 parts per million, everyone else got 5. Draft going to expire next will be 5 than 3. 5 to 3 money DEM operation cost goes up with 3.
Mr. Brown states we have to budget this. Time line is important to us, consequence of DEM.
Mayor Ramos asks about a Revolving Fund.
Mr. Vitale states there is a program set by DEM. Prioritizing projects, a system and list point system. This project most important subsides loans program allows Sewer Federal 20% match state 1/3 SRF Interest Subsidized. State passed $60 million to double 2/3 off of marker, 6 your pay 2, 1 million 2%, 10 million 2%.
Mr. Conley states DEM has a point system. DEM is discouraging about it, our pertaining not formalized discussion, and general attitude.
Mr. Reilly states Narragansett Bay Commission is a Regional service area.
Mr. Brown states he wants to meet their bosses.
Mr. Vitale states we only have 3 weeks for fund for next April.
Councilman Silva asks about pump station passed one.
Mr. Brown states pump station bond merit was for a road emergency need.
Councilman Cusack states $15-$16 million public facility nail it down for DEM. Then we have a better handle on it. DEM skeptical, that we’re getting the money.
Adjourns: 11:15 a.m.