02-23-15 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

Browse Search

(b) Discussion or other action regarding the surcharge fee component of the City of La Porte Industrial Waste Ordinance (This item was tabled at the January 12, 2015 meeting) – D. Mick Public Works Director Dave Mick presented a summary. Councilmember Zemanek requested a breakdown for the program's approximate cost of $95,000 a year. Public Works Director Dave Mick responded it is approximately $82,000 in salary and benefits. Councilmember Zemanek asked what other cities are doing. Mr. Mick responded he does not know if other cities have a requirement like the City of La Porte for significant industrial users that is not a mandate from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Mr. Mick advised the user group is prompting the cost of the program. Councilmember Zemanek asked if Mr. Mick still thinks that reducing the formula by 50% will satisfy the requirements. Public Works Director Dave Mick responded he does not have a problem reducing the formula by 50%. Councilmember Zemanek asked if the City requires restaurants to pump their grease traps on a regular basis. Mr. Mick responded yes, but they are not required to pump the grease traps four times a year. Councilmember Zemanek asked if Mr. Ybarra emptied his grease traps more than quarterly will alleviate his situation of a high surcharge. Mr. Mick responded he recalls Mr. Ybarra's cost issue being a biological oxygen demand (BOD) loading issue and not a grease issue. Councilmember Clausen asked if the City required everyone to pump grease traps quarterly, as suggested by Mr. Ybarra, will it reduce the total BOD going to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Mick responded he is not sure because more than 2/3 of the restaurants are pumping grease traps quarterly. Councilmember Leonard commented he does not believe the current penalty fee is fair and taking a measurement once a year is not an accurate picture of what a business is doing and the amount of waste that is going through the system. Councilmember Leonard then suggested to reduce the cost and put into effect a structure for testing and pumping grease traps. Councilmember Engelken commented it will be a good idea to have Staff validate all of the situations and see what other cities are doing and take more time to evaluate the scope. Councilmember Martin commented he would like more information on the effect of reducing the surcharge fee will have on the current system before making a decision. Councilmember Moser questioned if grease actually is the cause for a high BOD. Public Works Director Dave Mick responded liquids without grease going down a drain can still have a high BOD. Councilmember Moser commented there are a lot of questions to be answered before he can make a decision. Councilmember Earp asked if there is an impact on the water system at this time with everything that is going to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Mike responded yes, and the BOD loading rates have been going down in the last few years and may be contributed to the current ordinance. Councilmember Zemanek asked if the City is near capacity at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Mick responded no. Mayor Rigby advised City Council the item was placed on the agenda for discussion and to give Staff direction for a future meeting and not to change the existing ordinance. Mayor Rigby asked if any change for the restaurants will also apply to truck washes. Mr. Mick responded it would apply to industrial users and not 'significant industrial users' which truck washes fall under. Mayor Rigby asked Mr. Mick if he recalls when the item was first discussed and during Industrial Waste Inspector Pam Kroupa’s comments regarding Gringo’s Kitchen, she advised when the surcharges were issued, she advised the charges could be lowered if recommendations were undertaken by the restaurant. Ms. Kroupa advised the manager informed her they would pay the surcharges. Mr. Mick responded no corrective action has been taken, and he does recall the conversation. Mayor Rigby asked if the testing the City does is conducted by a contractor. Mr. Mick responded yes the testing 58 Page of February 9, 2015, Council Meeting Minutes