Council eyes sewer, garbage rate hikes

Monday, October 6, 2008 12:40 PM CDT

The first reading of an ordinance increasing the solid waste collection rate by 50 cents per month will be on the agenda of the Watertown Common Council when it meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of the municipal building.

Under the proposed ordinance, the monthly solid waste collection charge would increase from $6.80 to $7.30. The rate increase would be effective Nov. 15.

The rate hike is for owners of four-family units or less, which includes duplexes and single-family residences. Industrial commercial and institutional businesses utilizing private services are exempt.

The increase is being proposed at this time because revenues in the sewer utility are not keeping up expenditures within the wastewater treatment budget. Projections show a $364,000 deficit for 2009 without adjusting the collection rate.

Council members are also expected to act on the first reading of an ordinance raising the sewer service rates.

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The new fixed rate monthly meter charges would increase from $14.96 to $16.30 for a meter that is 5/8 of an inch, from $21.15 to $23.05 for 1 inch, from $31.61 to $34.45 for 1 1/2 inches, from $44.20 to $48.17 for 2 inches, from $73.52 to $80.12 for 3 inches, from $157.33 to $171.45 for 4 inches and from $220.19 to $239.95 for 6 inches.

The volume charge per 100 cubic feet would increase from $2.41 to $2.63.

If approved, the price increase would go into effect Nov. 1.

The first reading of an ordinance changing the common council's process on reconsidering a vote will be on the agenda of the aldermen.

The ordinance states that any council member on the prevailing side of an issue who voted in the majority may schedule the original question on the agenda of the next succeeding meeting of the council or one of its committees for a motion for reconsideration.

If the motion for reconsideration is first raised at the next council meeting or one of its committees and duly seconded, the original question will be laid over until the next succeeding, regularly scheduled council meeting.

The city clerk will also be required to deliver a copy of the prior meeting's minutes with the agenda, committee reports, ordinances, resolutions and other pertinent matters no later than the Friday prior to the scheduled council meeting.

Aldermen will look to take action on a resolution entering the 2009 contract with Passenger Transit Inc. for the shared-ride taxi program.

The $808,703 contract includes a management fee of $67,063.

The shared-ride taxi rates are as follows: adult, $3; children under 12 years old, $2; children with an adult to the same destination, $1.50; children between 12 and 18 years old going to the middle or high school, $2.50; elderly and disabled people, $2; prescription delivery, $3.75 per package; and corner stop service, $1.50.

Council members are also expected to act on resolutions approving the 2009 lease agreement for the shared-ride taxi program. The lease covers the program's 15 vehicles.

A resolution applying for an $808,703 operating assistance grant from the state Department of Transportation that would be used to help pay for the 2009 shared-ride taxi program will be on the agenda of the council.

Aldermen are also expected to take action on a resolution applying for a $62,000 capital grant for the purchase of two vehicles for the city's shared-ride taxi program. The city would be responsible for providing 20 percent of the total needed for the vehicles, or $15,000.

The vehicles that would be purchased are a full-size sedan for $25,000 and a 14-passenger van/bus for $45,000. There would also be $7,000 in contingencies.

The first reading of an ordinance creating a planned unit development for a section of Bielinski Homes' Hunter Oaks subdivision off of West Road will be on the agenda of the council.

The planned unit development would include three 27-unit apartment buildings on a parcel that is bordered by Belmont Drive, Horseshoe Road and Steeplechase Drive.

A resolution entering a contract with Vandewalle and Associates for planning services in 2009 will be on the agenda of the council.

The hourly rates are as follows: company president, $220 to $250; principal, $120 to $220; associate, $70 to $120; assistant, $60 to $80; cartographer, $60 to $80; communications specialist, $60 to $85; and project assistant, $35 to $60.

Council members will look to act on the first reading of an ordinance installing stop signs on the southwest and northeast corners of Maple Crest Lane and Briar Court.

Traffic on Briar Court would be required to stop for motorists on Maple Crest Lane.

A resolution vacating a section of Airport Road near Gateway Drive will be on the agenda of the council.

The city is looking to vacate the unneeded right of way to four property owners near the 2000 block of Airport Road.

The vacation is subject to reservations for easements of utilities which may exist in the public right of way.