Water Utility

The purpose of the Water Utility Committee is to become aware of and to proactively influence pending legislation and/or administrative rules or regulations which would affect the waterworks industry, to continue to work toward doing those things that are necessary to continue to serve the highest quality drinking water, and to formulate policy for the Section subject to approval of the Board.  Additionally, the committee establishes contact with the AWWA Water Utility Council, supports their activities and utilizes AWWA resources in Washington and contacts in other Sections.

Committee Membership:

The committee consists of volunteers representing the interests of the water utility industry, with an emphasis on municipal water supplies.  The total number of committee members varies, and includes non‑utility members and regulatory agency representatives, in addition to members from organizations holding utility memberships.  The committee also includes liaison representatives from the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Water Environment Association, and Michigan Public Works Association.

Committee Chair:

 

David Koch

Black & Veatch Ltd. of Michigan

125 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 380

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

Phone: 616/ 459-2360

Cell: 616/ 308-7165

FAX: 616/ 459-2810

E-mail: kochds@bv.com

      

Committee Co-Chair:

 

Robert Veneklasen

City of Muskegon WTP

1900 Beach Street

Muskegon, MI 49441-1000

Phone: 231/ 724-4104

FAX: 231/ 755-5290

E-mail: bob.veneklasen@postman.org

 

 

Committee Members:

 

James Cleland, DEQ Representative

Joe Fivas, MML Representative

Khalil Atasi

Terry Biederman

James Caldwell

Bob Carlyon

Gerald Caron

Patsy Clark

Vince Ferrarese

Michael Harvey

Warren Isaacson

William Kelley

Don Link

Bill Maier

Sue McCormick

Tom Newhof

John O’Brien

Mike Quinnell

Anwi Qaqish

John Schandevel

Don Spencer

Joe Stapf

Doug Trembath

John VanUffelen

Charles VanDerKolk

Ken Zarzecki

 

Janice Skadsen, Board Liaison

Functions:

• On behalf of the Section and the waterworks industry, the committee is proactive in following legislative actions, informing industry personnel, and exerting influence in any appropriate manner.

• The committee works toward establishing a role as a technical advisory committee for legislative activity affecting the waterworks industry.  As such, proactive activity such as position papers, policy statements or suggested legislation are developed as deemed necessary by the committee and recommended for approval by the Board.  The committee notifies the Board and water industry officials through the Section Chair, of any legislative activity, Federal or State, which will have an effect on our industry.

• The committee independently and/or collectively reviews any pending legislation and/or administrative rules or regulations which may affect the waterworks industry and develops a position for direct input to the legislature or other authority.  If necessary, committee members are ready to represent the Section at committee or sub‑committee meetings in the legislature, or testify at legislative hearings, or before other authority, as necessary.  The committee may draft position statements for the Board.  The committee endeavors to improve the image of the waterworks industry among the legislature and local governments, such that these entities will readily identify our industry as the "experts" and enlist our advice and participation in working to develop appropriate legislation, rules, ordinances, etc.

• The committee meets approximately quarterly throughout the year, and will adjust this schedule accordingly in response to the need for additional meetings related to priority issues.  The committee also will form ad hoc subcommittees as applicable to address priority issues.

• The committee has primary responsibility for the organization and execution of an annual “Legislative Luncheon” for state legislators in conjunction with the  Section’s annual Joint Expo, and may organize other legislative activities as necessary to increase the Section’s image and standing with state legislators..

Meeting Dates:  (Click to view meeting minutes if available)

The committee meets on Wednesdays at Constitution Hall on the following dates:

The meetings will be held two hours prior to, or after, the lunch hour (12:00 to 1:00 PM) to accommodate meeting with the MWEA Governmental Affairs Committee during the lunch hour.

 

There will be Ad-hoc committee meeting, or meetings, in December and January, 2005 to plan the Legislative Luncheon.

Links to Other Committee Information: