Utilities Committee

“The Utilities Committee handles all matters relating to the city-owned Water Department, the largest supplier of fresh water in Northeast Ohio to businesses and residents within a 640 square mile service area; Cleveland Public Power, which provides service to nearly 80,000…

residential, commercial and industrial customers; and Water Pollution Control, which is responsible for managing the sanitary sewage and storm water drainage collection systems in Cleveland.” - Cle City Council Website

CHAIR:
Brian Kazy (Ward 16)

VICE CHAIR:
Kevin L. Bishop (Ward 2)

MEMBERS:
Anthony T. Hairston (Ward 10)
Kerry McCormack (Ward 3)
Michael D. Polensek (Ward 8)
Jasmin Santana (Ward 14)
Charles Slife (Ward 17)

The agenda with links can be found here: https://cityofcleveland.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=32370&GUID=685B10B0-A53D-4FD3-9136-BC4880776373 https://t.co/0o2nS7avCz

In addition to the members of the committee, @TBrancatelli has joined the meeting. The committee is expecting to hear 3 pieces of legislation, and then a special presentation from John Zayac of The Project Group.

Ordinance 853.2020 has been passed to give the Division of Water and the Department of Public Utilities to purchase contracts — there is a big need for water pump maintenance.

Ordinance 887.2020 also passes unanimously. In Ward 13, major sewer system updates must be done and the project needed approval.

The council discussed making sure council president @kevinkelleyCLE knows about the projects. No bids yet, but the department will now start seeking contracts.

Last piece of legislation on the table: the acceptance of a loan so that the city can replace water pipes that still have lead, which service childcare facilities.

There are 450 childcare facilities in Cleveland that must have these water mains reconnected to new pipes.

Councilman Polensek asks if roads will have to be open to redo these pipes—and they will. He appears to be very concerned about the coordination of public works around these street maintenance. Some roads are already being torn up, so Polensek recommends making sure…

…these streets aren’t dug up twice.

There is also discussion of whether the property owners of these childcare centers have lead water pipes that they are responsible for. Public utilities dept explains that most private property already has copper pipes, & the majority of the need for new pipes falls on the city

Councilman Polensek emphasizes that children of Cleveland are already facing a lead crisis. On a related note: @LeadSafeCLE has opened up resources to people dealing with lead paint on their homes.

Some perks of Zoom public meetings: I can rewind when I miss something important....I’m definitely not an expert in public utilities jargon (and based on the discussion of the definition of “moratorium streets”, the council isn’t super in tune to all this jargon either) https://t.co/7ZiPMjPrOX

Now for the discussion of utility shut-offs, which are skyrocketing due to the pandemic. There are 20,500 delinquent accounts right now in Cleveland facing power shut offs from @clepublicpower. There’s another 89,000 delinquent accounts for water.

Robert Davis is walking us through the process of how shut-off notices occur. 2 letters and a door hanger go out before water or power is shut off.

Davis mentions some relief programs that are offered through the city, encouraging folks to call in and discuss their options.

Just to be clear: there are over 100,000 Cleveland home facing utility shut offs. Public utilities is exploring how to step up their game for public outreach on the relief funding available. Info is available on the various city websites. Robo calls might start going out soon.

Council emphasizes: don’t wait until the shutoff happens. There are programs available. Still, it’s clear that the need is great and the need is dire.

Polensek is worried about the impact of the delinquent accounts on rates—discussing people “playing the system”.

Polensek also asks about the number of call-takers. Robert Davis says they are generally staffed, but at times when they are getting nearly 5,000 calls, it’s definitely hard to handle that volume.

@KerryMcCormack1 asks about payment plans to avoid shut offs and engaging with social and city workers to engage with residents.

Davis says automatic payment plans are not an option right now, but the public utilities call center can set up an affordable payment plans.

Robert Davis says they will talk to IT to see if automatic enrollment in payment plans is possible.

@KerryMcCormack1 says that he’d love a list of ward 3 residents on the verge of shutoff, and that he’d work with CDCs to do direct outreach with residents.

Davis’ ask for council: help get the word out on the funding that @CHNhousing has for Covid-19 relief. There is over $1 million left to spend before December 31st. Robo calls, fliers, and direct outreach is needed in the community to make sure there isn’t $ left over.

@CHNhousing has rent and utilities relief for those in need.

Up next: presentation with The Project Group, a contractor with Cleveland city council that helps with project management. Most of the council has left the meeting for this portion.

The group has helped the committee manage the many public utilities projects and writes special reports.

The council is discussing high rates from @clepublicpower

Polensek says that the bills from Cle public power are running 13% higher than houses using First Energy.

A potential expansion of CPP would mean an even higher increase in rates.

“Cleveland Public Power has been mismanaged, and we need to get it on track or we are going to lose customers.” says councilman Polensek

Meeting adjourned at 1:53. Thank you all for tuning in—excited to keep documenting with @cledocumenters