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<br />possible incentives. This money will be derived from the money designated for <br />storm water. Another initiative plan that is in place since University City is in a <br />combined sewer area that has to be completed by next summer is called a long <br />term control plan where downspouts will be disconnect from laterals and semi <br />pervious parking areas will be part of the solution to meet the federally mandated <br />water quality requirements in regard to discharges from the combined sewers. <br />Ms. Ricci asked when MSD became aware of the rain problem and Mr. <br />Hoelscher stated that MSD became aware of it on Friday as a portion of the <br />district was hit then. By Sunday they were aware immediately as they had pump <br />stations go down and facilities go out of operation. <br /> <br />Johnathan Sprague, Director of Operations was introduced to explain what role <br />MSD had Sunday morning. He stated that MSD was aware of the forecast and <br />had crews on stand-by. Sprague said that after they realized the magnitude of <br />the rain they had eighteen crews out working which a normal day would be only <br />twelve crews and five working the call center which normally is only four. By <br />Monday they tripled the people in the call center and now had thirty crews out <br />working long shifts. They have taken over 5,000 water back-up calls in the last <br />five days and normally they don’t take that many in a full year. Mr. Sprague <br />stated that MSD has moved from a reactive program to a proactive program. In <br />the past two years they have targeted the repeat offenders and placed them on <br />routine cleaning. In the last two years they have moved to clean all of their lines <br />in a five year cycle. He said MSD does offer relief for flooding caused from a <br />sewer back up to the amount of $2400. Ms. Ricci asked that it be investigated as <br />she felt the homes on Wilson had both, sewer back up and over water flooding. <br /> <br />Mr. Price asked MSD how it is determined who would get flood back-up <br />reimbursement. Mr. Sprague said that they would need to call 768-6260 and <br />report it to their call center and it would then be investigated. There are a couple <br />of ways it is determined: <br />1. If neighbors were determined to be an overcharge then so would the <br />neighbors, even though it had been cleaned. <br />2. Basement elevation, where sewer lines are and the high water marks on the <br />basement are how a back-up is determined. He stated that sewer back-up <br />leaves a mark from the debris it contains and the elevation can be determined <br />from the mark it left. <br />Mr. Price asked how long it would take from the new rate structure to have <br />programs start that were previously talked about. Mr. Sprague said that such <br />efforts as cleaning up of River DesPeres would start as soon as the initial money <br />became available. The improvement projects will be set up. <br /> <br />Mr. Hoelscher stated that in the transition of how rates are charged has a back- <br />log of 1.5 million dollars set aside for storm water projects in University City. He <br />said the MSD has applied for Federal funds and presently they are trying to use <br />local matches already expensed as the match required for a new grant. In <br />answer to Mr. Price, he said that it is important to let your Federal Legislators <br />know as to how big the damage was. <br /> <br />The two MSD representatives offered to stay to the end of meeting in order to be <br />able to discuss any questions the citizens may have. <br /> <br />