Title
Directing Madison Water Utility and Water Utility Board, with public input, to develop a process for site selection of new Water Utility facilities and a process for informing and involving neighbors of the proposed facilities.
Fiscal Note
Funding for this process will be provided from Water Utility resources via the Water Utility 2008 Operating Budget.
Body
WHEREAS, the Madison Water Utility has identified the potential need to site future municipal water wells in the City of Madison in the coming years; and,
WHEREAS, site selection of new municipal water wells is an important decision with long range impacts; and,
WHEREAS, there are many factors to be evaluated in site selection for new municipal water wells, including Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations, neighborhood impacts, public input, infrastructure costs, land costs, and other factors; and,
WHEREAS, testing of sites for new municipal water wells costs from $50,000 to $100,000 and is a major undertaking in itself with impacts on the site and surrounding area; and,
WHEREAS, residents of the City of Madison have an interest in the process of site selection for Water Utility facilities being done in a fair and uniform manner;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Madison Common Council directs the Madison Water Utility and Water Utility Board, with public input, to develop a process for site selection, planning, and design of new Water Utility facilities, including but not limited to test wells, municipal water wells, reservoirs, pump stations, and control valve facilities; and a process for informing and involving residents and property owners in the vicinity of proposed Water Utility facilities in this decision making process.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Water Board will submit this process plan to the Madison Common Council for approval by March 18, 2008.