CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
COUNCIL JOURNAL WORK SESSION
February 26, 2014
Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
5:00 P.M.
Present:
James A. Briden, Mayor
Thomas A. Rose, Assistant Mayor
Tracy Capobianco, Council At Large
Helder Cunha, Ward II
Chrissy Rossi, Ward IV
Paul Lemont, Acting City Manager
Timothy Chapman, City Solicitor
Kim Casci, City Clerk
The Mayor called the Workshop to order at 5:10PM.
Director Coutu provided a power point presentation to the Council.
The concern is regarding cast iron piping which is over 100 years old. The age of the pipe limits the City’s ability to know when a break will occur and a break could be disastrous.
A discussion of water rates has not been done in a number of years. The City needs to start refurbishing the system. Because the system has been out of sight it has also been out of mind. At some point in time it has to be repaired. A good maintenance program should include a replacement and repair program.
Tonight’s presentation will assist the Council in receiving the facts to supply clean drinking water.
Following the power point presentation City Council members asked questions.
Councilman Cunha stated one of the main complaints he receives is the cost of the sewer and water bill with this plan that cost would be increasing.
Director Coutu stated the sewer bill has increased because of work completed which was regulated by State and Federal law. Drinking water is a necessity.
The City Manager explained that years ago the City, which owns Hunts Mills, owns both sides of the Turner Reservoir but factories in Attleboro, MA made the water quality too bad too drink.
Director Coutu showed a coupon, a cut of the old pipe, to the Council. This cut showed the debris buildup causing the pipe which was 4 inches and is now 1.5 inches and noting that by today’s standard the pipe would have been made 8 inches. If Council were to see a new cut of the pipe when first done, the hard deposits they see now is a gelatin like substance in the working pipe that the drinking water is running through. He offered to provide these coupon slices to Council to show to their constituents.
While people do have concerns about the rates it is important to note currently the City of East Providence has some of the lowest rates. The areas which need to be replaced are the oldest areas, around Watchmoket. What the City is trying to avoid is a catastrophe. A few years ago a pipe broke on Broadway and that was a small break, the City could face a real one and run out of water.
Regulations for testing and to meet requirements are getting more and more difficult with the old system and the current function of chlorination and pipeline deposits.
Councilman Cunha asked if the City had been keeping up with maintenance.
The City Manager stated no there was not a 40 or 50 year plan as it was out of sight and out of mind. Many cities and towns in New England are facing the same issues with aging infrastructure. The City replaces the leaks but as a normal plan does not have a maintenance replacement program.
Councilman Cunha states the City definitely will have to put a plan together if they are going to dig up roads to put the main line in, there needs to be a plan not to re-dig the roads again and that the utility companies and City need to be on the same page.
Director Coutu stated yes they have made this plan.
The City Manager added they do currently alert the utility companies when they are repaving the roads but unfortunately the utility companies tear them up again anyway.
Director Coutu explained there would a long term plan in place to upgrade on a continuing basis. What he is providing now is a five year snap shot of rates for the work which is roughly 7-8 miles of pipe a year. It is a 15 year project.
Councilwoman Capobianco asked if the City has to have a new storage tank in Kent Heights.
Director Coutu stated they do because the water becomes stagnant and this creates maintenance issues with the tank. It’s all related and part of the new project. The internal mixing lowers the numbers with byproducts and by the time you add that and paint the tank it’s close to the cost. Then in 15 years with a new paint job you've exceeded the cost.
The City would start in the Watchemoket area, then the tank project and chlorination project. They are in the final design stages and are looking to get funding in place and the jobs out to bid.
Any pipe that is 100 years old will be replaced and if younger will be cleaned and a new lining will be added. Those pipes being replaced will now become 8 inch pipes to increase water flow.
Councilwoman Rossi asked if the water will still come from Scituate.
Director Coutu stated yes, the only way this would change is if the City goes solely with Pawtucket but the City would still keep the Scituate supply as well. The rate change will never come back down. He added he would not be surprised to see it go up again after the 5 years. If Council defers this work, the longer it is deferred the more expensive it gets and it runs the risk of catastrophic failure.
Councilwoman Rossi asked if any grants federal or otherwise were available.
Director Coutu explained the Federal Government looks at water as being under priced and they refer local government to clean water funds at low rates. The City did take advantage of some stimulus money a few years ago, about a million dollars but this was basically a one shot deal as part of the stimulus package but as of right now they are not aware of any grants or funds available.
Councilwoman Rossi requested the City reach out to the Federal Delegation members and inquire about any possible grants or funds.
Director Coutu stated he would.
Councilwoman Rossi stated she agrees as the City needs to do this she was just hoping the City could be a little more creative in a funding source and not go straight to the taxpayer. She added she would expect before the vote, the City will have an answer from the Federal Delegation that there was nothing else out there.
Councilwoman Capobianco asked if there was a way to make a smaller increase between 2014 and 2015 instead of the significant jump between 2015 and 2016 in order to balance the increases out.
Director Coutu stated they could level them out.
Councilman Cunha stated he will be brining in a gentleman from LED before the Council again. This is a big project where the City can start saving substantially on the cost of electric.
The City Manager stated the sewer/water fund is an enterprise system where the rates are made to support it and if this was given up as an enterprise fund it becomes a debt of the City.
Mayor Briden stated if the City saves money as a whole and don't raise taxes in an aggregate sense then the City pays more for water it balances out.
The City Manager stated if the City didn't have this enterprise fund a lot of these things wouldn't be here as the Council would keep the rates down so theoretically it is outside of that and it’s not based on tax revenue.
Mayor Briden stated he would like to have this presentation on for the next Regular Council meeting on March 4th when it can be on TV and the public can be present.
Councilwoman Rossi asked when the City is requested this be voted on.
Director Coutu stated by the end of April the Council would need to decide in order to go out to bond in time for Clean Water Finance. They would need the rate structure in place and Council approval.
Councilwoman Capobianco asked at the next presentation if Director Coutu could show what East Providence currently pays and what other cities and towns currently pay and the significant difference.
Mayor Briden asked that they have on for the next meeting the results of looking into the Federal Grants.
Regina Furtado came to the podium to speak against the proposed increases. She stated the City of East Providence has the highest unemployment around. She and her family rent at the lowest possible rate because people can't afford it. She can’t keep these rates low when she paid $4000 just today for water. The house values have been lowered and the rates have gone up on the taxes.
The City Manager informed Ms. Furtado that they want to ensure clean drinking water. Adding when he worked at the Gas Company they had to raise rates in order to pay the supplier.
Councilwoman Capobianco stated that she sympathized adding that she too owns her own business and tenements but the water has to be safe to drink.
Assistant Mayor Rose also stated he sympathized and that his family has rentals and they have the same issues but this it is a safety issue.
The City Manager explained the sewerage consent decree the City was under regarding a clean product which goes out to the Bay. Every year it must be cleaner and cleaner and the regulations are more stringent.
At her request, Director Coutu explained the option of a deduct meter to Ms. Furtado.
A motion to adjourn is made by Councilwoman Rossi, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
Approved By Council: March 18, 2014
Attest: ________________
City Clerk