Sewer rate hikes are on council's agenda

Monday, October 20, 2008 12:19 PM CDT

The final readings of two separate ordinances raising the rates for solid waste collection and sewer service 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.

One of the ordinances calls for the monthly solid waste collection charge to increase 50 cents from $6.80 to $7.30.

The rate hike, which would become effective Nov. 15, will be 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.

Increases in fuel and landfill costs have caused the solid waste collection charge hike.

The other ordinance calls for sewer service rates to increase by 9 percent.

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Under the proposed ordinance, 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 the final reading of the ordinance is approved, the price hike will go into effect on Saturday.

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

Aldermen are also expected to act on the final reading of an ordinance changing the common council's process on reconsidering a vote.

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.

A resolution entering EMS contracts with the villages of Lowell and Reeseville will be on the agenda of the council. The 2009 contract with Lowell is for $5,708 and the contract with Reeseville is $11,254.

The Watertown Fire Department will provide EMS coverage to Reeseville and Lowell by providing one ambulance staffed with two firefighters or paramedics.

All patients, except those who are critically ill or injured, will be taken to Watertown Regional Medical Center.

In the event that the fire department is committed to previously received requests for service and is unable to respond, mutual aid agencies will be contacted and dispatched to the call. These circumstances would not be considered a breach of contract.

The council is also expected to act on the first readings of two ordinances reducing the amount of post-construction storm water and associated pollutants reaching bodies of water in the state.

The first and second readings of an ordinance amending the city code that deals with election officials will be on the agenda of the council.

Under the proposed ordinance, the number of election inspectors will be determined and scheduled by the municipal clerk. No less than three inspectors will be assigned to each election unit.

Work shifts may be split as determined by the municipal clerk and absentee ballots will be processed by the Absentee Ballot Canvasser Board.

Special registration deputies, special voting deputies, election day registration deputies, greeters and any other election-related personnel will be determined by the municipal clerk.

The mayor will appoint election officials with confirmation from the common council and the compensation for election officials will be determined by the council in the annual payroll resolution.

Council members are scheduled to take action on the final reading of an ordinance creating a planned unit development for a section of Bielinski Homes' Hunter Oaks subdivision off of West Road.

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

A resolution authorizing city officials to enter a easement agreement with We Energies will be on the agenda of the council.

We Energies has requested a 12-foot easement for a new 6-inch natural gas line that will cross the Rock River from 401 S. Water St. to 514 S. First St. The new main would replace the existing gas main under the Milwaukee Street bridge.

Construction would be done by directional bore to minimize disturbances.

Aldermen are also expected to act on a final resolution vacating a section of Emmet Street.

The portion of Emmet Street that is proposed to be vacated is east of the east right of way line of South Water Street and west of the Rock River.

The final reading of an ordinance installing stop signs on the southwest and northeast corners of Maple Crest Lane and Briar Court will be on the agenda of the council.

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

A resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the WisWARN Mutual Aid and Assistance agreement will be on the agenda of the common council.

The purpose of WisWARN is to provide for cooperation and coordination of activities relating to emergency and disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for municipal water and wastewater systems.