City Reviews Sewer Plans

During a work session Monday evening the Monticello City Council was presented a draft estimate of the FY2010 revenues expected to be taken in by the city. City Manager Bob Schwartz was quick to point out a budget is an educated guess for both revenues and expenditures, and the important thing at the end of the year, is that revenues have exceeded expenditures rather than budget predictions having been made.

The draft on revenues included income from water, sewer, gas, electric and 17 items under the General Fund. The total estimate came to $9,441,984 versus $9,914,013 from the adopted 2008-2009 budget, representing a five percent decrease.

After this review of revenue projections, the process will include a finalization of revenues and a review of the first draft of expenditures on May 12 at the council’s regular monthly meeting, advertising public hearing and adoption dates on May 15, a final draft of the budget on May 19, advertising the budget on May 21, public hearings on the budget on June 2, and adoption of the budget on June 9.

Mr. Schwartz stipulated that after a careful review of both revenues and expenditures, he expected he would make recommendations both for expenditure reductions and for revenue enhancements, as the city absolutely needed to build the balances in several of their funds.
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The City Manager also gave an in-depth slide presentation on the condition of the city’s sewer system showing cracks, holes and other problems with the system. This came as a result of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR) on the history of sewer overflows and spills caused by heavy rains, clogged lines, grease, and debris in the lines of a system which was installed in 1936 by Civil Projects Administration. The system is made up of terra cotta pipe and was upgraded in 1968 and other small scale additions have been made since then.

After a meeting between the city manager and EPD on April 8, they agreed to several steps to improve the sewer system including an accurate and up-to-date map of the system, smoke tests to find leaks and address inflow and infiltration, improving routine maintenance, an education and outreach program to solicit users to help in ensuring the sewers are used appropriately, and a written ordinance to address grease traps at Monticello restaurants.

A Corrective Action Plan, including all the above steps. has been requested by the EPD by May 22.

A draft of a Fats, Oils and Grease Pretreatment Ordinance was presented to the council, which essentially covers the installment of grease traps by all restaurants or food services.

Mr. Schwartz was of the opinion that the only restaurant in the city which has a grease trap is the old Hardee’s Restaurant, which is closed.

It was also reported the Metro Electric Association of Georgia (MEAG) would like to schedule Sunday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 18 for the conversion of power from 4KV to 12KV, and would like to request the council’s approval of these dates before making final plans. Monticello is the only city left in MEAG which hasn’t received the upgrade. It was also reported that an additional six or seven thousand dollars would be necessary to complete the project.

Also on the agenda was the need to select a steering committee for the City’s Sidewalk Project to help manage the project, get ready for the first public meeting, to work with the consulting firm to develop a first draft of the construction program and prepare for the second public meeting, and to respond to comments from the public meeting to prepare the final construction program. This committee will be selected from among the council members.

A recycling proposal from Advanced Disposal using the 22 gallon containers, which the city has in storage, was discussed. The initial proposal is a cost of $3.50 per month for recycling bins to be picked up weekly.

A zoning issue was also discussed in which the council will consider having the County Marshal issue citations in the city as well as the county. The building code is currently being enforced in the city, but county ordinance violations are not. A meeting has been scheduled with some county commissioners to discuss this issue on May 16. The idea is not only to enhance the appearance of the city, but could also be a source of revenue for the city.

Mr. Schwartz also mentioned that May 7 is National Day of Prayer, and a meeting has been planned on the square at noon for a public observance.

Also mentioned was that the city is under a Level Two Outdoor Water-Use Schedule, which stipulates odd numbered addresses may water only on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from midnight to 10 a.m.; that even numbered addresses may water only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from midnight to 10 a.m.; no watering is allowed or Fridays. Certain watering activities, including vegetable gardens, are excluded from these rules.