HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes, August 7, 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 August
7, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. for a Public Hearing at the District's Administrative Offices at 2350 Market
Street, Room 109, in St. Louis, Missouri. Commissioners Toenjes, Clarke, Croyle, Dotson, Goss,
Jeafls, Palans, Perkins, and Stein in person. Commissioners Muren, Barry, and Mahfood attended
via videoconference. Commissioners Faul, Moynihan, and Ziegler were 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 of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
(the "District"); Lisa O. Stump and Brian J. Malone of Lashly & Baer, P.C., Counsel for the Rate
Commission; and Pamela Lemoine of Burns & McDonnell, Rate Consultant to the Rate
Commission. Anna White of Black & Veatch attended via videoconference.
Agenda Item 1 — Call to Order
Chairman Mr. Toenjes called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Secretary Clarke called the roll and
declared that a quorum was present.
Agenda Item 2 — Approval of Minutes
Draft minutes from the meeting of August 1, 2023 were circulated. Commissioner Clarke made a
motion to approve the minutes. After the motion was seconded by Commissioner Jearls, a voice
vote was taken. All Commissioners present voted Aye. No Commissioners voted Nay. No
abstentions.
Agenda Item 3 — Public Hearing
Brian Hoelscher began the public hearing with a presentation summarizing the Rate Change
Proposal for stormwater and wastewater. Michael Gorman, consultant for Intervenor Missouri
Industrial Energy Consumers ("MIEC"), spoke to the Rate Commission regarding the need for the
Rate Commission to limit the impact of higher rates by increasing the amount of debt financing
proposed. Sheila Davis of the Fountain Park/Lewis Place Steering Committee spoke to the Rate
Commission about the need to limit the impact of rate increases on customers, particularly for
seniors, and to provide additional support for low-income families. Cassandra Padgett spoke on
behalf of the Consumers' Council of Missouri. She offered a statement into the record and spoke
in support of a 70/30 debt/cash financing goal for wastewater to mitigate the impact of increased
rates on low and moderate income consumers.
Glenn Burleigh spoke on behalf of the Equal Housing Opportunity Council on the impact that liens
from unpaid MSD bills create when an occupant passes away. Matthew Cissell spoke on behalf of
the Ellendale Neighborhood in St. Louis City regarding the impact of severe flooding and sewer
backups cause by increased impervious area. Patricia Sherman spoke on the need for different
methods to calculate water and sewer bills in St. Louis City. Tammy Tate spoke on behalf of the
Lewis Place Neighborhood Association on the need for a better credit program for seniors on a
fixed income. Ms. Pat Miller from the Lewis Place/Fountain Park neighborhood, spoke on the need
for better communication from the District to the neighborhood. Margaret Williams from the
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Fountain Park/Lewis Place neighborhood spoke on the need to see an increased presence by the
District in her neighborhood. Noiiiian Ross, from the Fountain Park/Lewis Place neighborhood,
spoke on the repeated increases to his wastewater bill, and inquired of the District's deflation
strategy. Carrie Anne Kirkland-Nelson, from the Fountain Park/Lewis Place neighborhood, spoke
on the impact of rate increases on seniors in her neighborhood.
At the conclusion of the public hearing, all exhibits offered by the parties were accepted into the
record of the proceedings.
Susan Myers delivered a closing statement on behalf of the District. Diana Plescia delivered a
closing statement on behalf of Intervenor MIEC. Brian Malone delivered a closing statement as
legal counsel to the Rate Commission.
Agenda Item 4 — Other Business
There was no other business.
Agenda Item 5 — Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Rate Commission, Chairman Toenj es declared
that the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 p.m. The Rate Commission will reconvene for its
deliberations at 8:00 a.m. on August 14, 2023.
BY:
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Commissioner William Clarke
Secretary of the Rate Commission of the
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District