Council to consider DOE wastewater billing; lobbying, economic development contracts

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday night will consider adding a facilities charge to the U.S. Department of Energy’s monthly wastewater bill for costs related to the construction of a holding tank, or equalization basin, near the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The equalization basin on Scarboro Lane, near the intersection of Scarboro Road and South Illinois Avenue, will service wastewater coming out of the federal reservation, city officials said. Wastewater flows from DOE facilities are estimated to be 67 percent of the total wastewater flow coming into that equalization basin, which will replace a now-demolished car wash near the intersection.

Assuming a 67 percent-33 percent split between DOE and the city, DOE’s share of the cost for construction of the Scarboro Lane equalization basin is estimated at $1.4 million, city officials said. DOE could pay another $24,190 per month as part of its wastewater bill for 60 months starting in July, Oak Ridge Finance Director Janice E. McGinnis said.

The construction project is scheduled to be put out for bid before the second reading of the wastewater ordinance in July or August. If the construction costs come in higher than expected, the facilities charge to DOE can be adjusted at second reading of the ordinance to reflect the actual cost bid for the project, McGinnis said.

The project is part of an effort to meet a federal mandate requiring Oak Ridge to repair all sewer system overflows by September 2015.

Also at the meeting today (Monday), the City Council will consider converting East Madison Road, which runs behind an apartment complex near the Alexander Inn, from a one-way street to a two-way street. The road was once two-way, but it was turned into a one-way street when the Alexander Inn was an active hotel and used as a “cut-through” to Kentucky Avenue, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said.

But the hotel is now being converted into an assisted living center, and eastbound traffic will not be able to drive through the property anymore. The new two-way street would include short-term loading and unloading zones, and it could include a “hammerhead turnaround.” No parking would be allowed on the rest of the street.

“There is ample street level parking in front of the apartments (the Broadway Apartments) along Broadway,” Watson said.

In other business tonight, the City Council will consider a contract with federal lobbying firm The Ferguson Group LLC and economic development contracts with Ray Evans and Steve Jones. The contract with The Ferguson Group would be set at an initial amount of $30,000 (the hourly rate is $425) plus $5,000 for expenses, with any additional hours above $30,000 to be approved by the city manager.

The contracts with Evans and Jones in Fiscal Year 2015, which starts July 1, could each be worth $42,000.

The Oak Ridge City Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday (today) in the Municipal Building Courtroom. See the agenda here.