INDIANA SECTION – AWWA WATER UTILITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 29, 2009
Minutes

1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am, with the first item of business being the approval of the minutes of the November 7th meeting. These were approved unanimously.

2. 2009 State Legislative Session. Vince Griffin of the Indiana State Chamber welcomed the group to their offices and proceeded to provide an update on legislative activities since the January 7th opening of the state legislature. A summary of key items proposed in the legislature was provided as a handout and is included as an attachment to these minutes.

3. Legislative Dinner Update. The legislative dinner will be held Monday evening the 16th of February at McCormick and Schmick’s. Fourteen legislators attended last year, and 18 have indicated that they will attend this year.

4. AWWA Fly-In. The 2009 Fly-In will be held in the last full week of March. Art Umble and John Hardwick will attend representing the Indiana section.

5. DNR & Water Shortage Task Force. Mark Basch reported that topics at the upcoming meeting will include statewide water conservation policy and water shortage planning. A Michigan (Barr Engineering) report has been completed that offers details regarding implementation of Great Lakes water conservation standards. An update of the Indiana plan is to be completed by July 2009. Jack Whittman will be presenting a white paper on integrating water supply planning, conservation planning, and drought planning that recommends and integrated planning approach when there is potential for water use that is greater than available supply.

Also, the Great Lakes compact became effective in December 2008 and DNR is preparing a letter to share with Great Lakes communities. Straddling communities must meet specific requirements if they use more than 100,000 gallons per day (average over 90-day period). Diversions are only approvable for public water supply uses. DNR is preparing to post information on their website providing information to utilities that may be affected by the Great Lakes Compact.

6. IURC & Water Rate Making Committee. Curt Gassert reported that they will have a draft proposal ready for the IURC meeting next week. The IURC will hold a hearing on ratemaking at IU Southeast again this spring.

7. IDEM Update. Pat carol reported that IDEM is currently having meetings to discuss operational requirements. Also, the Groundwater Rule, the LT2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Stage 2 DBP Rules will be presented soon to the Water Pollution Control Board. Pat also reported that Reggie Baker, the Counter-Terrorism coordinator at IDEM, is very ill with cancer.

8. OUCC Update. Scott Bell reported that, recently, OUCC met with Indiana American regarding their proposed water conservation plan. The planning document will be filed with OUCC. In addition, Veolia is updating their plan. Indiana American and Veolia are considered two leaders in terms of conservation planning.

9. IRWA Update. Odetta Cadwell reported that IRWA has completed their Grandfathered Operator training contract, with a total of 1,295 operators having been trained. Utility specific operator contract training is still underway and the target finish date is January 1, 2010. Currently, IRWA is waiting to begin table-top exercises for counter-terrorism, with one workshop planned in each of the 10 areas of the state.

10. Next Meeting. The next Water Utility Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 16th at 1:00 pm at the Lincoln Room of the Marriott during the Annual Conference.

Attendees

Name, Representing

Lou Ann Baker, Veolia

Mark Basch, DNR-DOW

Scott Bell, OUCC

Odetta Cadwell, IRWA

Pat Carroll, IDEM

Howard Cundiff, ISDH

Bill Etzler, Aqua Indiana

Nichole Freije, Borshoff

Curt Gassert, IURC

Jeff Golc, IURC

Vince Griffin, Indiana State Chamber

John Hardwick, Chair, Valparaiso

Jim Hurst, Veolia

Melissa Moran, Malcolm Pirnie

Mark Nye, DLZ Indiana

Doug Perry, Goshen

Mike Simpson, ME Simpson

Phil Smith, Smith Group Consulting

John Stancati, Retired

Nick Stanley, Water Solutions Unlimited

Jim Williams, Peerless Midwest

Jack Wittman, WHPA

Recorder: Melissa Moran