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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973 02-08 Maplewood approves WAC ordinance by 3-2 REVIEW Maplewood approves WAC ordinance by 3-2 � . by Scott Carlson The Maplewood council approved first revenues. reading of a Water Availability Charge Under this basis, the village staff would (WAC) ordinance on a 3-2 vote last recommend a $300 WAC, a $72 surcharge Thursday night. on water users per year,or an increase in the mill rate of 7.1 mills, under the old Although councilmen John Greavu and system of calculating mills. Harald Haugan dissented on the WAC because of its inequities, mayor Les "ON THE FACE of this information we Axdahl and councilmen Don Olmstead have had a decision already made and Don Wiegert voted in favor, giving it whenever we decide if want to act on the the necessary majority approval for water system," Wiegert said. adoption. He also said the design of a Maplewood THE WAC, which if approved for water system would allow for possible second reading, will take effect April 1 reduced costs if the village began con- and would help raise supplemental in- struction and decided to forego a water come required to provide water service softening treatment. within the village. Maplewood Village Manager Mike But Greavu wanted to have the matter Miller admitted the $150 WAC is not en- "hashed out with more engineers."Miller tirely equitable since buildings already said that he would consider hiring another furnished with public water will not have engineering firm a waste of money. to pay the charge. "However I think we told our other "NO CHARGE is going to be entirely engineers to go the cheapest way," equitable," Miller said. "But with each Greavu responded. day, with each week, you're buiding up Wiegert agreed that "going cheap" the number of people who make it under could be detrimental. "I think we are the wire and don't have to pay. You're paying for past decisions which were just going to build up the inequity. made with the best information available, The WAC will help to offset a major but which were based on going the portion of the estimated$80,000 per year, cheapest way," Wiegert said. for the next 20 years, which will be required to retire bonds on the non- PENDING APPROVAL of the second assessable portion of major water im- ordinance reading, the$150 WAC will be provements. included in the cost of building permits Miller wrote the council that some type issued after April 1 if public water is of supplemental income method would available. have to be adopted whether the village decided to establish its own water system Those buildings or sructures which or stay with the St. Paul water system. were issued building permits prior to April 1, but do not receive occupancy In order to finance water improvements permits prior to Sept. 1, and have public and service the village staff estimates water available,will be charged the WAC. that approximately$125,000 per year will have to be raised from the WAC in order Those buildings or structures which to finance a $3 million deficit over 25 now have public water available but are years. These are the costs Maplewood not connected to the public system will not would have establishing its own water be charged the WAC until actual con- system. nection is made. Without the WAC,Miller estimates that The WAC will be charged to any the residential water rates, via a sur- building or structure connecting to the charge,would have to increase$40 a year public water system after April 1. In or raise the mill rate by 4 mills,under old addition, any building or structure which assessed valuations standards. avoids the WAC due to nonavailability of public water will be required to pay the Miller's report to the council also WAC when public water becomes showed that if the village were to continue available to that building or structure. with the St. Paul water system, water It has been proposed that existing improvement costs would be ap- facilities and structures will receive a proximately $5,698,100 over the next 25 discount of one half of the WAC if con- years. That would have to raise ap- nection to the public water system is proximately $228,000 in supplemental made prior to Jan. 1, 1974.