Published: April 08, 2008 10:07 am      

Council may delay sewer rate increase

CLINTON — The Clinton City Council could vote to push back upcoming sewer rate increases by six months during tonight’s council meeting.

Currently, Clinton citizens pay $4.86 per 100 cubic feet or $6.50 per 1,000 gallons, based on metered water usage. If the ordinance is approved, unit costs for users of the sewer works and facilities would increase to $5.80 per 100 cubic feet or $7.75 per 1,000 gallons effective Nov. 1.

On March 25, the Clinton City Council voted to approve the first consideration of the ordinance. At that council meeting, Water Pollution Control Superintendent Gary Schellhorn clarified that the rate increases are not new increases, but were part of a five-year rate hike package determined through a rate study performed by Stanley Consultants several years ago and approved by the council at that time. Schellhorn noted that per the ordinance passed by the council, the rate increases were to be effective each year on May 1. He said that unforeseen delays in the project led the city to discuss delaying the May rate hike by six months, with the new rates to take effect in November.

Tonight, the council could approve the second and third considerations and adopt the ordinance.

The council could approve the second and third considerations and adopt an ordinance providing for the vacation and conveyance of street right-of-way in the Valley Bluff Horizons First Addition. After the public hearing on March 25 in which no comments on the issue were offered, the council approved the first consideration of the ordinance.

Later, the council will consider several resolutions pertaining to the Pleasant Valley Lane and East Lane Assessment Project. A preliminary resolution details the construction of street improvements in the project area bounded by East Lane, South 18th Street, Glendale Road, Pleasant Valley Lane, Ninth Avenue South and Circle Drive North. A second resolution fixes the value of the lots in the assessment project area. A third resolution would adopt the preliminary plat and schedule, estimate of cost and proposed plans and specifications for the project and a fourth resolution would approve a proposed resolution of necessity. The resolution of necessity would set a public hearing on the issue for 7 p.m. on May 13 in the City Hall council chambers.

The council also will consider resolutions:

• Supporting the submittal of the Riverview Park Performing Events Grounds request for Community Attraction and Tourism grant support;

• Approving budget modifications;

• Approving an agreement with Howard R. Green Company to provide consulting planning/engineering services from May, 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009;

• endorsing the agreement between the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Union Pacific Railroad for the IDOT purchase of UPRR property; and

• a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments to boards and commissions.