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understanding. Councilmember Zemanek commented homeowners are placing more solids in the <br /> system than restaurants and are not paying surcharge fees. Public Works Director Dave Mick <br /> responded the formula is set up for a facility discharging more BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) <br /> and more total solids than a single resident would on average. Councilmember Zemanek <br /> commented he does not have a solution for tonight, but the restaurants are being tagged too hard. <br /> Councilmember Leonard asked if meters can be used to monitor the amount of waste. Public <br /> Works Director Dave Mick responded meters can be used to monitor the effluent volume. <br /> Councilmember Leonard asked if the restaurants are required by law to have grease traps. Mr. <br /> Mick responded yes. <br /> Councilmember Zemanek questioned why a surcharge is being used to cover the cost for an <br /> employee. Councilmember Clausen commented he is not against lessening the surcharge rate but <br /> thinks the program should continue. <br /> Mayor Rigby asked how many restaurants complained about the surcharges. Public Works Director <br /> Mick responded two have reached his desk in the last four years, and one was not the surcharge <br /> issue. Mayor Rigby asked if Gringo's was given the opportunity to mitigate. Mr. Mick responded <br /> yes. Mayor Rigby commented the system is working the way it should, and he is not in favor of <br /> changing it. <br /> Councilmember Martin questioned how often the restaurants are read. Mr. Mick responded <br /> annually. <br /> Councilmember Leonard asked how much does it cost to run the test. Industrial Waste Inspector <br /> Pam Kroupa responded $40.00. Councilmember Leonard commented he does not have a problem <br /> with charging for their emissions, but testing annually isn't often enough. <br /> Councilmember Zemanek asked if residential or commercial is the largest contributor with sewer <br /> lines in the treatment plant. Assistant Public Works Director Don Pennell responded residents are <br /> the largest contributor to the loading of the treatment plant. <br /> Councilmember Zemanek moved for staff to revisit the item and bring back a more suitable formula <br /> for the commercial restaurant businesses in the City of La Porte. Councilmember Leonard <br /> seconded. MOTION PASSED. <br /> Ayes: Councilmembers Engelken, Zemanek, Clausen, Kaminski, <br /> Earp, Leonard and Martin <br /> Nays: Councilmember Moser and Mayor Rigby <br /> Absent: None <br /> (b) Discussion regarding the current parkland provisions of Development Ordinance 1444 as it <br /> relates to assessing fees for individual dwelling units —T. Tietjens <br /> Planning and Development Director Tim Tietjens presented a summary. <br /> Mayor Rigby advised he requested the item be placed on the agenda for discussion. Mayor Rigby <br /> advised he has been approached by individuals building single family homes, not developments; <br /> and they are required to pay too costly of a fee for the parkland provisions of the Development <br /> Ordinance. <br /> Councilmember Leonard commented he think it is ridiculous to charge a fee for parkland provisions <br /> on an individual's property. <br /> Page 6 of 8 <br /> November 10, 2014, Council Meeting Minutes <br />