Title
Consideration of Resolution concerning proposed DWSD Model Water Contract
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Detroit owns and operates a public water supply system supplying water to numerous communities throughout southeastern Michigan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rochester Hills contracts with the City of Detroit to supply potable water to its residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rochester Hills' current contract with the City of Detroit has or will expire on March 11, 2010; and
WHEREAS, in anticipation of the expiration of water service contracts with various governmental entities in southeastern Michigan, over the last three years, the City of Detroit has developed a proposed Model Water Contract and is seeking Rochester Hills' approval of the terms of this Model Water Contract; and
WHEREAS, the cooperative efforts to date between the City of Detroit and Technical Advisory Contract Group in the drafting of the Model Water Contract have been thoughtful and productive, but there remain outstanding issues and concerns to be addressed; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest that the proposed Model Water Contract provide all customers a long-term supply of potable water that meets or exceeds state and federal regulatory requirements for drinking water quality, without discrimination and at the lowest reasonable rates; and
WHEREAS, the City of Detroit and Technical Advisory Contract Group have requested municipal customers' input; and
THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED by the Rochester Hills City Council that the City of Rochester Hills requests that the terms of the proposed Model Water Contract with the City of Detroit be revised and expanded to address the following:
1. The Contract should provide a process for meaningful municipal customer participation and a "greater voice" to provide input concerning major capital or maintenance projects or other factors impacting the rates developed by the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners.
2. The Contract should define and provide for full and timely disclosure of methodologies and information in a format that will allow the City of Rochester Hills to better understand and assist in the rate-making process and long-term planning.
3. The Contract should prescribe fair and reasonable terms for withdrawal or termination prior to the expiration of the contract term.
4. The Contract should provide assurances that water pressure will be provided within the agreed upon pressure range, and should further provide for an effective and expedient means for resolving water pressure and supply issues or problems.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is authorized and directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to Victor Mercado, Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department at 735 Randolph Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226 and to John P. McCulloch, Oakland County Drain Commissioner at One Public Works Drive, Building 95-W, Waterford, Michigan 48328.