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Timberlake considers MOU to resolve roughly $343,000 in wastewater invoices with Eastlake
Summary
Village officials discussed a proposed memorandum of understanding with the City of Eastlake to resolve about $343,000 in past wastewater treatment invoices; the MOU would cover roughly $100,000 now while negotiations continue on the remainder and contract interpretation.
The Village of Timberlake on Dec. 17 discussed a proposed memorandum of understanding with the City of Eastlake to address roughly $343,000 in past wastewater conveyance, treatment and disposal invoices, officials said.
Solicitor James O’Leary said the memorandum would provide for an immediate payment of about $100,000 to Eastlake while the parties sort out responsibility under the existing contract; council members and staff noted some contract language is "fuzzy" and that Eastlake and the village law director have differed in interpreting section 9, which covers where Timberlake ties into the regional system and upgrades to the plant.
O’Leary told the Sewer Committee that some infrastructure fees flow directly to Eastlake under the current arrangement, that the oldest invoices date to 2019, and that Lakeline builds certain infrastructure improvements into its sewer fee structure. He said Eastlake may be amenable to a reduced payment and a “clean slate” for a future agreement. O’Leary recommended putting the MOU on first reading rather than finalizing it immediately so negotiations can continue.
Council members recorded that the existing interlocal agreement runs to 2028 but could be revisited sooner, and they described the current billing and administrative arrangements as difficult to track. Council later presented Resolution No. 2024-59 for first reading, authorizing the mayor and fiscal officer to enter into an MOU related to alleged past-due balances; council did not adopt that resolution on final vote at the Dec. 17 meeting.
Separately, members noted that the council had approved Resolution No. 2024-55 to amend appropriations and that that resolution would include $100,000 from the 2901 Sanitary Sewer Fund for a potential payment to Eastlake; officials said that payment is on hold pending further discussions.
Councilors also flagged a related resident-facing issue: the village reported a nearly 95% increase in sewer rates tied to an Eastlake ordinance for the first year, with additional 4% annual increases for up to five years. Officials said eligible senior residents can request a water-bill discount through Lake County (LCDU) and that Lake County staff can inspect lead fittings raised in resident letters, though remediation will take time.
Next steps: the matter remains under negotiation. The Sewer Committee and council indicated they will continue talks with Eastlake and bring the MOU forward for consideration under first-reading procedures while seeking clarification of contract responsibilities.
