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City Council Minutes Page 2 <br /> September 7, 1999 <br /> Mayor Klinzing indicated that the council would continue discussion on this item <br /> following Item#3. <br /> 3. Joint City Council/Utilities Commission Meeting to Discuss the Water and Sewer <br /> Departments and a Possible Joint Water/Sewer Superintendent Position <br /> Pat Klaers stated that this issue has surfaced due to the recent retirement of the <br /> city's Wastewater Sewer Superintendent and the expected retirement of the <br /> Water Superintendent. <br /> Mayor Klinzing explained that discussion should take place regarding a couple of <br /> issues pertaining to this item: <br /> • Whether the Commission has considered joining the two entities(sewer <br /> and water) <br /> • The possibility of sharing a supervisor for the two departments <br /> Chair Tralle stated that most of the discussions regarding this issue by the Utilities <br /> Commission pertained to sharing a supervisor rather than combining the water <br /> and the sewer utilities. <br /> Councilmember Dietz noted that it was never his intention to have the water or <br /> the sewer departments move to a different jurisdiction, but to have the <br /> superintendent position be a shared position. He stated that he sees this as an <br /> opportunity to have two departments that are closely associated with each other <br /> work together. <br /> Chair Tralle stated that if the departments were to join, he would prefer to see the <br /> water department move to the sewer department. He indicated that due to the <br /> continued growth of the city, it is important for the elected officials to have <br /> control of the sewer department. <br /> Bryan Adams, Utilities Superintendent, stated that there are not a lot of positives <br /> for combining the two departments. <br /> Commissioner Zabee stated that there is not total agreement among the Utilities <br /> Commission regarding this issue. He noted that if the departments were <br /> combined, he would like the sewer to come over to the utilities, but the city <br /> would have to do the bonding and go through the assessment process. <br /> Commissioner Zabee indicated that a joint supervisor could cause some <br /> problems, such as in financing and deciding which department to support if the <br /> city and utilities had a disagreement. Mr. Zabee indicated that he was uncertain <br /> if a joint position would result in cost savings. <br /> Discussion was held regarding the utilities' actual need for a water <br /> superintendent. It was noted that the water superintendent is a shared position <br /> with an electrical technician. Discussion was held about the possibility of <br /> separating these positions in the future. <br />