Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Requesting the Common Council Organizational Committee to make recommendations regarding increasing the size of the Water Utility Board and receiving regular reports regarding the Water Utility.
Body
Whereas, Wis. Stat. 66.0805 requires that "the governing body of a city shall . . . provide for the nonpartisan management of a municipal public utility by creating a commission under this section. The board of commissioners, under the general control and supervision of the governing body, shall be responsible for the entire management of and shall supervise the operation of the utility. The governing body shall exercise general control and supervision of the commission by enacting ordinances governing the commission's operation. The board shall consist of 3, 5 or 7 commissioners."; and
Whereas, the Common Council has adopted Chapter 13 of the Madison General Ordinances to exercise general control and supervision over management and supervision of the operations of the Water Utility; and
Whereas, Madison General Ordinance Sec. 13.01 adopted by the Common Council has established that "There shall be a board of five (5) water commissioners, whose duty shall be the management and operation of the City Water Utility. One (1) commissioner shall be a member of the Common Council. Pursuant to Sec. 66.0805(2), Wis. Stats., commissioners shall be appointed on a staggered basis for a term each of five (5) years. In case of vacancy the Common Council may at any regular or special meeting elect a member for the unexpired term. In addition, the Director Public Health under Sec. 7.02, M.G.O., or his or her designee shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board in order to provide advice and information to the Board on health issues related to the Water Utility. The Director of Public Health shall not vote, may not make motions, and shall not be counted as a member in determining quorum or majorities."; and
Whereas, the duties of the General Manager of the Water Utility are defined in MGO Sec. 13.03 as follows:
(1) General Duties. The General Manager shall have supervision of the Water Utility under the direction of the Board of Water Commissioners and shall have supervision and control over the buildings, grounds, and all matters connected therewith, and shall enforce all ordinances, rules and regulations of the Common Council and of the Board; and see that the conditions of all contracts relating to said Utility are faithfully complied with, and that all charges for the use of water are duly made, collected, and paid into the City Treasury. The General Manager shall be the appointing authority under the provisions of the civil service ordinance for the purpose of making appointments of employees in the Water Utility.
(2) In Charge of New Construction and Installations. The General Manager shall supervise the installation of all new equipment, the construction of all new wells, reservoirs, treatment facilities, and pumping stations and have charge of all improvements to the Water Utility plant, including the installation, repair and reconstruction of all mains and service connections. The General Manager shall have supervision of work of this nature and, subject to such regulation as the Common Council or Board may adopt, shall have the authority to purchase materials and to employ the services and labor necessary for such work.
(3) Maps and Records to be Kept. The General Manager shall direct the maintenance of maps and records of the water system.
(4) Other Records to be Kept. The General Manager shall keep a record of all accounts and claims for or against the Water Utility and all meters and the location thereof and shall perform such other duties as the Board or the Common Council may prescribe.
Now, therefore be it resolved that the Common Council Organizational Committee shall work with the Water Utility Staff and Commission to make recommendations to the Common Council regarding the following:
- Amending MGO Sec. 13.01 to increase the Water Utility Board membership to 7 Commissioners, including an additional Alderperson.
- Amending MGO Sec. 13.03 to include various reporting requirements to the Common Council.
- Recommending a list of topics and a procedure for regular reports to the Common Council.
Be it FINALLY resolved that the Common Council Organizational Commission shall report its findings to the Common Council at the September 4, 2007, meeting of the Common Council.