Joe and Jerry

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
August 3

Joe (Ennett) and Jerry met with the KCMO Asst City Manager who is currently overseeing the Water and Sewer services of KCMO.  According to Jerry, KCMO brought along a "lab guy".  Discussions included water sampling messages and high fecal counts.  Apparently an automatic generator is going to be placed at the East side lift station (date unknown).  KCMO pledged eventual televising of lines, inspection of manholes and flyovers with infrared.  A meeting is going to be held with the CFO of water to discuss the calculation of rates.

[Joe is yet to circulate an update to members he promised was forthcoming at a discussion I had with him in May @ City Hall...and at an appearance earlier this year the WLIC board noted the need to keep membership informed]   

During Open Comments I advised the Mayor and BOA of three points in regard to water/sewer/KCMO issues:

1. KCMO posted earlier in the day results of the consent decree with the Feds, in particular the "Overflow Control Plan".  The Little Blue part of the plan is well under way.  Are we part of the Plan and what is the timing (the Feds have given 25 years for KCMO to comply)  Jerry did not know if we are part, but did note KCMO has limited funds allocated for the "Northland".  http://www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/Depts/WaterServices/index.htm
2.  I advised the BOA of the lack of siltation control @ Forest and Barry.  Jerry noted rip-rap he has seen at Hillside.
3. I asked for the rationale of not passing along the water/sewer rate increases by KCMO in 2009 and 2010.  Jerry in a somewhat convoluted and rambling reply mentioned a balanced budget and not seeing a reason to pass along the increases.  When I pointed out that KCMO was one of our customers (lift stations) and they, KCMO, benefited from not having to pay their own increases I got no response.  I pointed out the need for future planning including improvements in the system for customers outside the City and maintenance of the water tower, I got no response.  Mute, the aldermen allowed Jerry to obfuscate.  The Mayor did say budget planning will start soon and a rate increase could be enacted on 1 January.