Today's date: February 8, 2010
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| MURRAY COUNTY NEWS / JoAnn Biren |
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May 4, 2005 |
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| Water and sewer rate increases raise questions | |
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The city’s water and sewer rate increases planned for July have raised questions regarding dealing with church and medical institution usage and the Slayton city council debated ways to deal with them at Monday night’s council meeting. City clerk Cathy Magnus explained that only two local churches now have meters to measure water use. The others are charged a flat rate per quarter. The recently adopted water and sewer rate ordinance calls for all properties to be metered, with the city furnishing meters and owners installing them. The question of how to treat churches was debated, since in many cases the water usage is below the 2000 minimum gallon usage. The council decided to allow churches to pay a flat fee, based on an average of past water usage and reflecting an increase in the cost of service, if they choose. In addition, they may choose to have a meter installed and pay for the water as it is used. The council also decided that the hospital and nursing home will be considered and billed as one unit while Lindenwood and Sunrise Terrace will be treated as individual apartments. Several ATV owners attended the meeting to voice objection to the $50 registration fee that the city recently enacted for the 4-wheel vehicle permits. Bill Ellefson said that the ATV owners feel it is unfair to punish the ones who are abiding by the laws with the fee. He said further that the law enforcement officials should take care of policing those who break the law using the vehicles. The council appeared open to possibly reducing the registration fee and will take it under consideration, addressing it at the next council meeting. A clarification regarding statuatory torte limits was reviewed and it was determined that the city will waive the limits, as it has done in the past. According to insurance agent Bill Lundy, this allows the city to carry insurance up to one million dollars in coverage for single occurrences, if necessary. The council approved the settlement with the Public Works union for their 2004 contract. Mayor Cal Wurpts explained that the union has accepted the city’s last offer, which includes a 1% wage increase. A recommendation from the personnel committee dealing with employee issues raised last month at the council meeting was adopted. Included in the new policy is a clause allowing employees to use vacation or comp time to attend school activities of their children, and up to one hour per week of paid time to perform community and school activities. It states further that employees shall be encouraged to support community events and activities. In the event of a problem, complaints should be directed to the city clerk or department head first. If the issue cannot be resolved it should be taken to the personnel committee and lastly, to the city council. Mayor Wurpts proposed a change to the council by-laws that would include the stipulation that no business shall be brought to the council meeting unless it is included on the published agenda, which is prepared four days in advance of the meeting. All agenda items will require “supportive or informative exhibits regarding the issue”. The change was approved despite objection from council member Dean Streff. “I think if I have something to talk about I want to be able to,” he said, objecting to the fact that he would have to submit the issue in writing before the agenda is prepared. Wurpts added that if an issue arises, then all council members should know about it before it is brought up. “We don’t need to be blind-sided and I apologize to our employees,” he said, referring to the personnel issue that was raised at last month’s council meeting by council member Mark Woitaszewski. The boundaries identified for “slum and blighted” areas in the Small Cities grant process were amended to include the abutting property of Muldoon Chiropractic and Steve’s Auto Body. The 2005 summer employee roster was approved as follows: pool manager, Sharon Henderson. Lifeguards: Kelly Spartz, Samantha Praham, Bobbi Buyck, Rachel Christiansen, Chris LeTendre, Janel Magnus and Kelly Louwagie. New hires include: Blaine Jacobson, Kaylee Hellenga, Brian Bau, Annette Magnus, Darielle Gengler, Bethany Pecholt, Matt Christiansen and Chesey Bass. Part time pool employees will include: Chelsey Gerber, Katie Gaul and Krista Gillette. Summer Rec supervisors will be Missy Halbur and Sara Homan, with Matt ackerman, Paul Deveraux and Adam Bergerson as workers. Parks and mowing will be supervised by Don Mitchell with Devin Gillette, Kayla Johnson and Mitch Magnus as workers. Approval was given for Kari Carlson to attend Year 2 of the Municipal Clerk’s Institute on July 11-15. |
©Murray County News 2010