By Mari Radtke
Lindsi Fulk attended the regular council meeting of the Primghar Council on Wednesday October 11 to discuss plans for the Primghar Chamber “Scare Around the Square.” The event is planned for Friday October 27 from 5:00 to 6:30pm. She provided a map handout showing the areas they would like to have closed to traffic for the early evening event. The chamber is requesting 1st Street NE from Jons Gallery to the intersection with Hayes Avenue; Hayes Avenue south past 1st Street SE to the alley. Council was unable to make the resolution that night. A collection of businesses donated money to bring a petting zoo, featuring over 40 animals, to the square for the “Scare.” The petting zoo expects to be set up behind the Veteran’s Memorial. They are also bringing Special Kz Clown and they are organizing a “Tough-A-Truck” event for children. Ryan Jenness noted he saw no problem with the street closures and explained council would need to have a quick special session to close the streets.
Michelle and Randy Sohn attended to discuss charges incurred for a water line leak at 120 1st Street NE. The address has a building and an adjacent empty lot. A water line disconnected from a demolished building was not disconnected at the main, as required by current ordinance. One issue about whose responsibility it is to cure the leak is the language of the local ordinance which states ownership (of a pipe) is from the main to the building. Michelle stated, “…from the main to the building served shall be borne by the owner.” Sohn said, “Well there is no building.” She went on to add that she has never had water service at the lot, or paid fee.
Councilman Tim Honkomp asked when she took ownership of the property, to which she replied, “1995.” She recounted her efforts to find a record of a water line being on that property.
There was also discussion about the possibility that city crews replacing a power pole in the alley could have damaged the shut off causing the leak.
According to Randy and to Michelle the issue is not the bill, but rather who is actually responsible. Councilman Ryan Jenness noted that it’s not known what the ordinance in force when the building was demolished said. Randy pointed out that the city is not capping the line at the main now, as required by local law. He went on to explain that the city is taking down buildings but not sealing the line at the main. He noted a few and offered a list of about 20 if they wanted.
More discussion guessing at motives for removing or not a complete line and documentation for future owners. Randy noted the “PAC” house did not rehook to the existing, disconnected line with the owners of the new house (to be sold) opted for a new connection. He added, “You’re gonna sell the house for $200,000 or whatever it is, then the water leaks a year from now or ten years from now, they shouldn’t have to pay for that.” His position is that future buyers should be notified of the disconnected lines existence, asking, “do you fix it?” Mike Warnke, Superintendent of utilities responded, “it is not ours per se to fix.” The Sohns took the position that it is the city’s to enforce. Randy wrapped the discussion nicely by saying, “It’s going on right now,” referring to the city not sealing water at the main where a building has been demolished.
City Attorney Bruce Green led the discussion and approval of a resolution to approve the lease with Kids Kampus Daycare, which met with no public comments or any resistance by council to approving the lease.