At the Wednesday, October 12 Peterson meeting, the council voted unanimously to move a three-year work schedule, developed in coordination with Tri-County Electric, forward. The city has already completed a $1,300 portion of the plan, which includes pole and transformer replacement, and will likely do another $850 more before the end of the year. In 2017, the work is expected to cost significantly more and the city has set aside $18,000 in the budget for the work. An additional $6,500 will be needed for 2018.
The council also moved on the assessing of delinquent utility bills with property taxes. Four properties still have balances more than 30 days past due, totaling approximately $14,500. Several properties received notification letters from the city citing the delinquency and several have made progress in correcting that, according to City Clerk Leanne Kasper. The properties were made aware of the pending assessment, including a $25 administration fee. Another letter will be sent to the four properties via certified mail to notify that the past due amounts are being sent to the county for assessment.
The council was unsure if an interest rate needed to be applied to the assessment as well. The council gave Clerk Kasper direction to use the amount recommended by the county. It is unclear what the rate, if any, is.
Related to the utility policy, the city is looking to reword some language in the policy to clarify a late fee surcharge that is added by the city. The council is looking at the policy to state, “A late fee of 1% will be added to the past due balance.”
The city approved a garbage collection bid from Waste Management for a period of three years, including a minimum 2% increase per year. The clause for renewal will be canceled. An add-on charge of 1% will be charged by the city for administrative fees.
In old business, the council once again looked at council remuneration, as brought forth by Councilor Loren Rue. In previous meetings, Rue had discussed the option of raising the pay per meeting to $100, with special meetings an additional $25 per meeting. Now, Rue is proposing the council look at keeping the current $75 per regular meeting payment, but adjusting special meetings to $75 and payment for serving on additional committees, other than Planning and Zoning Commission, at $15 per hour.
Councilor Dave Colbenson noted he felt the amount was too high for special meetings that typically cover one or two topics needing to be dealt with immediately. Councilor Gail Boyum added that she could potentially see $25 or $50 per special meeting, due to the amount of time and effort to prepare for meetings.
The council opted to make no official decision on the remuneration, but will revisit the topic in November when council pay is set for the following year.
Also to be decided in November will be the 2017 tax levy. The city is comparing and considering either a 2.5% levy, equating to roughly $2,000, or a 5% levy, or $4,000. The council is weighing the need for continued road and utility improvement, as well as a projected Local Government Aid loss from the state of $2,000 in 2017.
The city is also looking at making a change to the Service Line Policy, as it relates to ownership of the curb stop shut-off. The city is looking to reword the policy to ensure it’s clear the city is responsible for and maintains from the curb stop to the city main. Property owners are responsible for the line from the property up to the shut-off. This does not interfere with the city being legally allowed to turn off water for lack of payment.
Last up on the agenda, the council has approved the upgrade of the city tractor. Public Works has had problems with the current tractor from first acquiring it. Councilor Dick Lee noted that St. Joseph Equipment is willing to trade the current tractor for a bigger 2016 model at no charge. The company will both pick up the old tractor and deliver the new tractor at no cost to the city. “They’ve been fair in coming to repair the old tractor. It’s an emission problem,” stated Lee. The new tractor has one hour on it and will come with a warranty from 0 days.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, November 9, at 6 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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