CITY OF WHITING – DECEMBER 19, 2007
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF
THE SANITARY COMMISSIONERS OF THE SANITARY DISTRICT
OF THE CITY OF WHITING, INDIANA
The Board of Sanitary Commissioners of the Sanitary District of the City of Whiting met
in regular session on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. The meeting was called to order
at 6:00 p.m. by President Mazur.
I. ROLL CALL
Those in attendance were: President Mazur, Vice President Strabavy, Secretary Hrinyo,
General Manager Stahura, Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak, Clerk-Treasurer Elect Adam,
Recycling Director Harbin, Basin Superintendent Drewniak, and Typist Mills-Groninger.
Also in attendance were Acting Street Commissioner Spebar and Dennis Moore, City
Liaison to the Sanitary District. Board Attorney Sejna arrived during the General
Manager’s Report.
II. MINUTES
Mr. Mazur asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the regular
rescheduled Sanitary Board meeting of November 28, 2007.
Mr. Mazur made the following corrections to said minutes:
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Page 2, Correspondence, Item 4: change the word ‘water’ to ‘sewer’, to read
‘…regarding proposed settlement for the School City of Whiting sewer issue.’
Mr. Strabavy moved to approve said minutes, as amended. Mr. Hrinyo seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
III. CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Mazur reported the following correspondence:
1. Email forwarded from Mr. Kark to Mr. Hrinyo regarding the Sanitary District
sampling stations.
2. Letter dated December 17, 2007, from Charles F. Farrell of Lawson-Fisher
Associates to Mr. Mazur, indicating that the Hammond Sanitary District sanitary
sewer system charges for the month of November 2007 appear to be correct.
Mr. Mazur read the Whiting Sanitary District Retention Basin Report for the month of
November 2007, indicating that the highest day pumped was the 21st. Mr. Mazur noted
that the total gallons pumped were the second lowest monthly total for 2007.
Mr. Mazur read the Microbac report dated November 9, 2007, and both the City and BP
were in compliance. No oil & grease was found in either sample; the CBOD and TSS
readings were both low.
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Mr. Mazur read the Microbac report dated November 27, 2007, and both the City and BP
were in compliance. No oil & grease was found in either sample; the TSS and CBOD
readings were very low.
Mr. Hrinyo moved to include all communications verbatim. Mr. Strabavy seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
IV. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Mr. Mazur stated that he read an article in today’s paper indicating that the Hammond
Sanitary District is being sued over flooding during July’s rainstorms. Mr. Mazur asked
if there has been any response from the Hammond Sanitary District indicating that
Whiting was not to blame for the flooding, as was reported in the newspapers at the time.
General Manager Stahura stated that, after correspondence from Whiting offering their
assistance and outlining the results of an inspection of both cities’ meters, Hammond
neither confirmed nor denied that their metering system might be part of the problem. A
discussion ensued concerning this issue.
V. GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
General Manager Stahura asked Mr. Hrinyo to discuss the sampling point situation.
Mr. Hrinyo stated that he received an email forwarded from former Engineering
Administrator John Toleikis, which showed two sampling points at Whiting Clean
Energy. Robinson Engineering has canceled recent meetings where the question of
access to the sample points at BP could have been addressed. A brief discussion ensued.
General Manager Stahura stated that it looks like BP is pursuing the purchase of Whiting
Clean Energy. While Whiting Clean Energy has been persistent in requesting a special
rate for their clean water discharge, BP will not ask for a discount if they acquire the
facility. Discussion ensued concerning the particulars of the potential acquisition of
Whiting Clean Energy by BP, and its potential impact on Whiting’s TIF district.
General Manager Stahura reported that the new dual key system for fueling at the City
Garage is now operational. General Manager Stahura authorized an additional $690 fee
for remote web access to control the system; all system functions, including key changes
and lockouts, can be controlled from City Hall.
Mr. Strabavy moved to ratify the action of General Manager Stahura in authorizing the
expenditure for remote web access control of the new dual key fueling system at the City
Garage. Mr. Hrinyo seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
General Manager Stahura informed the Board that, during the construction phase of the
New York Avenue Reconstruction Project, water service had to be switched from
temporary to new permanent water lines. The engineering firm asked those residents to
flush their water lines for 10 hours to clear all contaminants. This caused their water bills
to run about $10-12 higher than normal. The Whiting Water Board took action to
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authorize a credit to those households affected, based on their normal use. Since General
Manager Stahura was granted authority by the Sanitary Board, he authorized a minor
sewer credit for those bills as well.
General Manager Stahura reported that the Teamsters Union contract has been negotiated
for the last several months. They are close to an agreement, but the document will not be
ready before the last week of this month. Changes include the following:
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Language changes for clarification.
Minor changes to time off, eliminating unproductive half days for holidays, like
Christmas Eve, in favor of the whole day off.
3% pay raise for employees except for CDL-licensed employees, who receive 5%.
Increased the perfect attendance stipend to $100 per quarter; if an employee
works a whole year without using sick days, he will receive $250 in addition to
that stipend. Good attendance increased productivity dramatically.
Employees can accumulate more sick days. This will help employees achieve
perfect attendance, since they will not be forced to use up sick days or lose them.
Employees can sell back one week of vacation per year if they accumulate 5 sick
days, and two weeks of vacation if they accumulate 10 sick days.
The Union asked the City to consider making a weekly payment of $12 per active
employee, to be put into a fund to pay for medical insurance when the employee
retires. In return, the Union would give up two of their members’ floating days.
This would be a productivity benefit, and help attract quality employees. This
benefit will ideally start on July 1, 2008, to allow time to accrue or transfer funds.
Details are still in negotiation.
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak noted that, for medical insurance, each employee has to pay
something annually, even if it is just $1. She will investigate further.
General Manager Stahura stated that he will try to have the final draft of this contract
ready by the special meeting at the end of this year. He added that the City is considering
doing random drug testing for the entire workforce in 2008. In the past, the Teamsters
Union has fought drug testing for their employees only, but indicated they would not
oppose such testing that would include all City employees. Discussion of various
benefits ensued.
Mr. Mazur stated that the Board will need to have a special meeting to approve claims
and the Teamster contract. After discussion, Mr. Strabavy moved to hold a special
meeting of the Sanitary Board on Wednesday, December 26, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. Mr.
Hrinyo seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
General Manager Stahura gave a brief overview of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel
report recommendations:
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An elected City official will not be allowed to be a City employee.
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A County-wide Board would be created to oversee all public safety activities in
all municipalities in the County. That Board would include all Mayors from all
those municipalities. Coordination of systems would be the first step.
Smaller libraries and schools systems would be consolidated.
Counties and townships would undergo massive restructuring. One County
executive would be elected, and would have the authority to appoint all County
positions, with the exception of the Prosecutor.
Townships would be abolished.
All budgets and debt service for all appointed Boards will be approved by the
highest ranking legislative body in the taxing district.
General Manager Stahura noted that the Governor’s tax plan will create a $750 million
shortfall throughout the State; the Governor stated that Indiana communities will have to
tighten their belts. Mr. Stahura informed the Board that the State Legislature will
probably address the property tax situation this session, and will address the Blue Ribbon
Panel recommendations next year.
Mr. Mazur asked if there would be a business class distinction for property tax relief
programs, so that small businesses would be have a different benefit than multinational
corporations like BP and Mittal Steel. General Manager Stahura stated that, since BP and
local steel companies already got a significant tax break, he is supporting legislation that
would make them exempt from receiving the 3% cap in addition to the tax breaks they
already received. They would be allowed one or the other credit, not both. The impact of
the 3% cap for industry would result in loss of $3.2 million in tax revenue for Whiting.
Every Indiana Mayor is charged with listing specific losses in personnel and services that
would occur in their municipality for presentation to the Legislators, so they can better
judge the true impact of this legislation.
Discussion of potential TIF district changes and the negative impact on Whiting took
place. Board Attorney Sejna noted that any changes to the State Constitution would
require going through a two-year process, so any such change is not imminent.
Discussion of the coming tax bills took place, including discussion of the proposed 1%
County income tax.
General Manager Stahura reported that City construction projects are wrapping up, and
that Front Street should be reopened to traffic shortly. The New York Avenue
Reconstruction Project is done except for the light poles, and the Ohio Street and 118th
Street Water Main Project is completed. He noted that drainage on Standard Avenue is
much improved.
VI. BOARD ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Mazur asked Board Attorney Sejna if Hammond Sanitary District will be shielded
from lawsuits for the July floods, as their attorney Mr. Allegretti claimed. She stated that
they probably do have immunity, and added that tort claims must be filed within 180 days
of the event.
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Board Attorney Sejna stated that Resolution No. W-2007-591 amends the Salary
Resolution already passed for next year, changing employee raises to 3% for everyone
but the CDL drivers, who will receive a 5% raise.
VII. CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak read Resolution No. W-2007-591 by title only.
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND RESOLUTION NO. W-2007-588 TO ADJUST
2008 SALARIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE ARTICLES
OF AGREEMENT WITH TEAMSTERS LOCAL NO. 142
Mr. Strabavy moved to adopt Resolution No. W-2007-591. Mr. Hrinyo seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak stated that, if there are no tax draws, there will be a deficit
cash balance in the Sanitary District General Fund. Resolution No. W-2007-592
authorizes temporary loans from the BP Settlement Fund and the Basin/Sewer Users
Fund to the General Fund totaling $398,300.00. Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak has sent a
letter requesting a tax advance; she will use this loan only if needed. She noted that the
Sanitary District General Fund currently has a cash balance of $18,000.00, which would
not be enough to meet the next payroll.
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak read Resolution No. W-2007-592 by title only.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY LOAN OF ONE
HUNDRED NINETY EIGHT THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED
DOLLARS ($198,300.00) FROM THE BP SETTLEMENT (SANITARY
DISTRICT) FUND AND TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
($200,000.00) FROM THE BASIN/SEWER USERS TO THE SANITARY
DISTRICT GENERAL FUND OF THE CITY OF WHITING, INDIANA
After brief discussion, Mr. Hrinyo moved to adopt Resolution No. W-2007-592. Mr.
Strabavy seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak stated that the Sanitary District Bond Fund has four
outstanding temporary loans which she has not been able to repay. Resolution No. W2007-593 authorizes the extension of the repayment of all four loans through December
2008. Mrs. Drewniak noted that part of the reason the Sanitary District General Fund
balance is low is because of these loans to the Debt Service.
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak read Resolution No. W-2007-293 by title only.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION OF THE REPAYMENT
OF THE TEMPORARY LOANS IN RESOLUTION NO. W-543,
RESOLUTION NO. W-545, RESOLUTION NO. W-2007-584 AND
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RESOLUTION NO. W-2007-586 FROM THE SANITARY DISTRICT
GENERAL TO THE SANITARY DISTRICT BOND FUND AND DECLARING
AN EXTRAORDINARY EMERGENCY
Mr. Strabavy moved to adopt Resolution No. W-2007-593; seconded by Mr. Hrinyo.
Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak stated that Resolution No. W-2007-594 authorizes a temporary
loan from the BP Settlement Fund to the Sanitary District Bond Fund to meet a payment
due on January 10, 2008. This loan will be taken in 2008 only if needed.
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak read Resolution No. W-2007-594 by title only.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY LOAN IN 2008 OF FOUR
HUNDRED NINETY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($497,000.00) FROM
THE BP SETTLEMENT FUND (SANITARY DISTRICT) TO THE SANITARY
DISTRICT BOND FUND OF THE CITY OF WHITING, INDIANA
Mr. Hrinyo moved to adopt Resolution No. W-2007-594; seconded by Mr. Strabavy.
Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak stated that Resolution No. W-2007-595 transfers $4,000.00 in
the Sanitary District General Fund within its Street Cleaning Department from
Equipment 472 to Salary 111 to meet payroll expenses. Summer help salaries depleted
the Salary fund earlier in the year. This transfer from one line item to another does not
increase the Budget in any way.
Clerk-Treasurer Drewniak read Resolution No. W-2007-595 by title only.
A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS WITHIN THE STREET
CLEANING DEPARTMENT OF THE SANITARY DISTRICT OF THE CITY
OF WHITING, INDIANA
Mr. Strabavy moved to adopt Resolution No. W-2007-595; seconded by Mr. Hrinyo.
Motion carried unanimously.
VIII. CITY LIAISON’S REPORT
Acting Street Commissioner Spebar requested two copies of the Salary Resolution listing
the new pay rates.
IX. RECYCLING DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Recycling Director Harbin reported that Hasse Construction should be finishing their
work at the Basin this week.
X. BASIN SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
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Basin Superintendent Drewniak stated that he has enjoyed his work for the City
tremendously, but he is ready to retire now.
Basin Superintendent Drewniak reported that the new stairs have been installed at the
Basin, with only minor work left to complete the job.
XI. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VOUCHERS
Basin
Mr. Hrinyo moved to approve Basin Accounts Payable Vouchers #5287 - #5301
inclusive for payment; Mr. Strabavy seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Sanitary
Mr. Strabavy moved to approve Sanitary Accounts Payable Vouchers #815 - #845
inclusive for payment; Mr. Hrinyo seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Mazur wished all present a Merry Christmas.
There being no further business, Mr. Hrinyo moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by
Mr. Strabavy. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Mills-Groninger, Board Typist
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