HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes, March 31, 2023 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 March
31, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at the District's Administrative Offices at 2350 Market Street, Room 109 in
St. Louis, Missouri. Commissioners Toenjes, Clarke, Croyle, Jearls, Mahfood, Palans, Perkins,
and Stein were present in person. Commissioners Faul, Goss, Moynihan, Muren, Savoy and
Ziegler appeared via Zoom videoconference. Commissioner Barry was absent.
Also present were Brian Hoelscher, Executive Director; Bret Berthold, Director of Operations;
Rich Unverferth, Director of Engineering; Marion Gee, Director of Finance; Tim Snoke,
Secretary-Treasurer; Susan Myers, General Counsel; and Brian Stone, Assistant General Counsel,
of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (the "District"); and Lisa O. Stump and Brian J.
Malone (videoconference) of Lashly & Baer, P.C., legal counsel for the Rate Commission. Pamela
Lemoine of Burns & McDonnell, and Anna White of Black & Veatch, Rate Consultants to the
Rate Commission were also present.
Agenda Item 1 — Call to Order
Mr. Toenj es 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 meeting of March 24, 2023 were circulated. Commissioner Clarke made a
motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Stein seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken.
Commissioners Toenjes, Muren, Clarke, Croyle, Jearls, Mahfood, Moynihan, Palans, Perkins,
Savoy, Stein and Ziegler voted Aye. No Commissioners voted Nay.
Agenda Item 3 — Work Session with Rate Commission Consultants
Ms. White and Ms. Lemoine presented PowerPoint presentations regarding the Rate Change
Proposal identifying main issues for the Commissions consideration and items that may need a
second look. Members of the Rate Commission asked questions of the rate consultants.
Agenda Item 4 — Public Comment
The Rate Commission received a public comment from Ms. Laura relating to installing water
meters in the City of St. Louis.
Agenda Item 5 — Closed Session
Commissioner Palans made a Motion to go into closed session to discuss legal matters and
privileged communications with legal counsel. Second by Commissioner Jearls. A voice vote was
taken. Commissioners Toenjes, Muren, Clarke, Jearls, Mahfood, Moynihan, Palans, Perkins,
Savoy, Stein and Ziegler voted Aye. Commissioner Croyle voted Nay.
Agenda Item 6 — Other Business
Upon returning to open session, Commissioner Mahfood announced that the public affairs
committee will discuss public hearing dates after this meeting. Commission Palans requested that
the District respond to the speaker's concerns at public comment. Ms. Stump reported that the
technical conference on April 26 is the next scheduled meeting. Written discovery request will go
out soon and April 14 is intervention deadline.
Agenda Item 7 — Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Stein and seconded by Commissioner Mahfood.
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 11:05 a.m.
BY:
Commissioner William Clarke
Secretary of the Rate Commission of the
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
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