HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes, February 21, 2023 Pre-Proceeding MeetingMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE RATE COMMISSION
OF THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
The Members of the Rate Commission of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District met on
Feburary 21, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at the District's Administrative Offices at 2350 Market Street,
Room 109 in St. Louis, Missouri. Commissioners Barry, Clarke, Croyle, Goss, Jeanls, Mahfood„
Muren, Palans, Stein, and Toenjes were present in person. Commissioners Faul, Moynihan,
Perkins, Savoy and Ziegler were absent.
Also present were Brian Hoelscher, Executive Director, Marion Gee, Director of Finance, Tim
Snoke, Secretary-Treasurer, and Brian Stone, Assistant General Counsel, of the Metropolitan St.
Louis Sewer District (the "District"); Lisa O. Stump of Lashly & Baer, P.C., legal counsel for the
Rate Commission; and Pamela Lemoine and Anna White, of Black & Veatch, Rate Consultant to
the Rate Commission.
Agenda Item 1 — Call to Order
Mr. Toenjes served as Chair, declared that a quorum was present and called the meeting to order.
Agenda Item 2- Approval of Minutes
Draft minutes from the Pre-Proceeding meeting of January 21, 2023 were circulated and approved
by a majority of the Commissioners present. A voice vote was taken.
Agenda Item 3 — Report from the Public Affairs Committee
Commissioner Mahfood reported on the proposals received and the Committee's recommendation.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Commission approved entering into a Public
Engagement Contract with AHC Consulting. All Commissioners present voted Aye. No
Commissioners voted Nay. No abstentions.
Agenda Item 4 — Approval of Rate Consultant Contract
Commissioner Toenjes asked Ms. Stump to update the Commission on the discussions relating to
the Rate Consultant contract given previous concerns that Pamela Lemoine was no longer
employed at Black & Veatch. Black and Veatch proposes to enter into a subcontract with Burns
& McDonnell so that Ms. Lemoine can continue to serve as Rate Consultant under Black &
Veatch's supervision. Black and Veatch has agreed to an Exhibit A to the Rate Consultant Contract
to address issues relating to Commissioners responsibility and liability. Upon a Motion duly made
and seconded, the Commission approved the Rate Consultant Contract with Black & Veatch, with
the addition of the Exhibit. All Commissioners present voted Aye. No Commissioners voted Nay.
No abstentions.
Agenda Item 5 — Approval of Changes to Commission's Operational Rules
Proposed revisions to the Rate Commission's Operational Rules were submitted at the January 20
meeting to account for changes approved to the District's Charter (Plan) by the voters in 2021.
These were summarized again by Ms. Stump, and a motion was duly made and seconded to
approve the amendments to the Operational Rules. All Commissioners present voted Aye. No
Commissioners voted Nay. No abstentions.
Agenda Item 6 — District Presentation on Stormwater Rate Change Proceedings
Brian Hoelscher, MSD Executive Director, presented on Stormwater Service, including a history
and how the proposed new rate will be computed. Mr. Hoelscher answered questions of the
Commissioners.
Agenda Item 7 — Black and Veatch Presentation on Wastewater Rate Change Proceedings
Ms. LeMoine and Ms. White provided a presentation to the Commission of an Overview of the
Rate Setting Process for Wastewater and answered questions of the Commissioners.
Agenda Item 8 — Other Business
Committee Chairs were discussed. After discussion with the committee members and seeking
volunteers, Chair Toenjes reported that Commissioner Mahfood will serve and chair of the Public
Affairs Committee and Commissioner Goss will serve as Chair of the Technical Services
Committee. No Commissioner agreed to Chair the Finance Committee, however, after the meeting
Commissioner Palans volunteered and Chair Toenjes announced him to be appointed to that
position.
A brief discussion was held regarding scheduling. The District noted that a new Rate Change
Proposal is now expected by March 24, 2023. Based on this, the Chair scheduled the next Rate
Commission meeting for March 24, 2023 at 9:30 am where the proposed Rate Change Notice will
be presented. Ms. Stump noted that he Commission's Operational Rules provide for a work
session with the Commission's rate changes consultants within 10 days of the Receipt of the Rate
Change Notice. The Chair scheduled that meeting or March 31, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
Agenda Item 9 — Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. A voice vote was taken. All Commissioners present
voted Aye. No Commissioners voted Nay. No abstentions.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, on motion duly made, seconded and
carried by unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
BY: i(d ;R.0?
Commissioner William Clarke
Secretary of the Rate Commission of the
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
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