Aqua, City agree to postpone presentations

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - UPDATE: The City of Fort Wayne and Aqua Indiana have agreed to postpone presentations due to negotiations.

According to the city's Public Information Officer Frank Suarez, the city and Aqua are i n good, constructive talks and they may come to a decision about two weeks

The public hearing will still be held on Tuesday night and residents will be still be able to comment on the situation but the city and Aqua will not be presenting their cases.

This is an update to the previously published story below

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Fort Wayne City Council will hold a public hearing on the Aqua Indiana condemnation ordinance on Tuesday.

The hearing will take place at the City Council Chambers in Citizen's Square at 200 E. Berry Street starting at 5:30 p.m.

John Perlich, City of Fort Wayne spokesperson, said the hearing will open with residents having the opportunity to address the council.

Pre-registration for speaking ended Friday, but members of the public can still sign-up at tonight's meeting. Those who signed up in advance will speak first, followed (in order) by those who sign up at the meeting. Speakers will be limited to two minutes.

The rest of the hearing will feature two 45 minute presentations. City administration and Aqua Indiana officials will each make separate presentations.

After the public hearing, city council will vote on whether to proceed with the takeover of the utility that serves about 12,000 residents in southwest Fort Wayne.

If Council approves the condemnation, the next process is obtaining an appraisal for the cost of the takeover.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry announced last November the city would attempt to takeover the utility after receiving dozens of petitions from area neighborhoods and hearing complaints from residents about the quality, cost, and service of the water provided by Aqua Indiana.

Last summer, during Indiana's drought, Aqua Indiana needed assistance from City Utilities to maintain pressure to about 1,400 customers.

During a press conference , Mayor Henry noted the situation of tapping into city water accelerated his administrations process to takeover the utility.

Aqua Indiana said it doesn't understand how Fort Wayne can takeover the utility without raising rates on current customers.

Residents who plan to attend the hearing should park in the Citizens Square parking lot on the north side of the building.