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The Washington City Council made quick work of some house cleaning issues before moving onto updates of current city projects like those at the police station and Dallas Road.
The council voted Monday night to retain the number of city wards at four and keep the number of aldermen at eight.
As discussed at the May 9 Committee of the Whole meeting, state law says cities with a population of more than 15,000 have five and 10 respectively unless the city council elects to retain four and eight.
“From what I understand is that (the city council) felt ... since we are barely over 15,000 that four wards and eight representatives are still sufficient even though population has grown,” said City Administrator Bob Morris.
“Now we have the next step of knowing we have four wards and working on redistricting because a lot of growth has occurred (in Ward IV specifically) ... which is the western most ward of all new construction north of the highway and including Mallard Crossing.”
He said it is important to try to get close to a more equal distribution of population in the wards.
The process of redistricting should begin in the coming months.
The council then heard the first reading of an ordinance for a three-phase hike in sewer rates — 13 percent total, thus a 4.34 percent increase phased over the next three years — and charges to be effective for usage beginning on each and every first of July from 2011-13. “Fundamentally it goes back to our need to replace Sewage Treatment Plant No. 1; it was built in the 50s and part of the planning was to eventually replace it,” Morris said. “Our plan is to build additional capacity at plant No. 2 ... then take No. 1 out of service.”
It is a $3.25 million project, which calls for the city to borrow money to complete.
“In order to generate funds to retire that debt, we are needing a 13 percent increase overall,” Morris said.
The increases will be reflected in billings made on and after the next succeeding Nov. 1 of each year.
For a family of four, the estimated additional monthly cost increase would be $2.30 per month for each of three consecutive years.
In other items, the board:
• Heard updates on the Dallas Road and police department renovation projects from City Administrator Bob Morris who said they are both on time for completion.
• Approved the proposal of the final plat for Moehl Manor subdivision to be located at the intersection of North Cummings Lane and West Cruger Road. The lot meets the requirements stated within the city’s Subdivision and Zoning Cards.
There are no proposed streets within the subdivision and sufficient water and sanitary sewer access are available along Cummings and Cruger.
• Approved an employment agreement with Chief of Police James Kuchenbecker for the 2011-12 fiscal year at the annual wage compensation of $104,505.
The employment contract has been extended for an additional year and will run through April 30, 2013.
The Washington City Council made quick work of some house cleaning issues before moving onto updates of current city projects like those at the police station and Dallas Road.
The council voted Monday night to retain the number of city wards at four and keep the number of aldermen at eight.
As discussed at the May 9 Committee of the Whole meeting, state law says cities with a population of more than 15,000 have five and 10 respectively unless the city council elects to retain four and eight.
“From what I understand is that (the city council) felt ... since we are barely over 15,000 that four wards and eight representatives are still sufficient even though population has grown,” said City Administrator Bob Morris.
“Now we have the next step of knowing we have four wards and working on redistricting because a lot of growth has occurred (in Ward IV specifically) ... which is the western most ward of all new construction north of the highway and including Mallard Crossing.”
He said it is important to try to get close to a more equal distribution of population in the wards.
The process of redistricting should begin in the coming months.
The council then heard the first reading of an ordinance for a three-phase hike in sewer rates — 13 percent total, thus a 4.34 percent increase phased over the next three years — and charges to be effective for usage beginning on each and every first of July from 2011-13. “Fundamentally it goes back to our need to replace Sewage Treatment Plant No. 1; it was built in the 50s and part of the planning was to eventually replace it,” Morris said. “Our plan is to build additional capacity at plant No. 2 ... then take No. 1 out of service.”
It is a $3.25 million project, which calls for the city to borrow money to complete.
“In order to generate funds to retire that debt, we are needing a 13 percent increase overall,” Morris said.
The increases will be reflected in billings made on and after the next succeeding Nov. 1 of each year.
For a family of four, the estimated additional monthly cost increase would be $2.30 per month for each of three consecutive years.
In other items, the board:
• Heard updates on the Dallas Road and police department renovation projects from City Administrator Bob Morris who said they are both on time for completion.
• Approved the proposal of the final plat for Moehl Manor subdivision to be located at the intersection of North Cummings Lane and West Cruger Road. The lot meets the requirements stated within the city’s Subdivision and Zoning Cards.
There are no proposed streets within the subdivision and sufficient water and sanitary sewer access are available along Cummings and Cruger.
• Approved an employment agreement with Chief of Police James Kuchenbecker for the 2011-12 fiscal year at the annual wage compensation of $104,505.
The employment contract has been extended for an additional year and will run through April 30, 2013.
