by Mari Radtke
A presentation from Orange City Sanitation was heard by council to assist the council in determining who it will contract garbage service with. Both OC Sanitation and Town & Country provided proposed contracts. No decision was made.
Several needs of the sewer projects were discussed including a change order and sludge removal. The change order is for $41,815.24 to install blowers. Several items were specifically excluded from the bid.
The city lineman, Kaden Hewlett submitted his resignation which council accepted. It is effective Tuesday September 2, 2024. Hewlett is in the process of earning his journeyman license at the expense of Paullina. Council person Carol Honkomp expressed a need to find out about the payback for the training. Time for work was not fulfilled by Hewlett.
City Clerk Michelle Wilson asked council to provide the details of how the capital projects will be paid. Some actions will require a budget amendment.
Council held 2nd readings for utility rate increases, starting with garbage rates. Honkomp opened the discussion with a motion to approve the garbage rate increase and waive the third reading. Council person Nicole Jacobs seconded the move. Councilman Steve Heeren spoke against waiving a third reading, especially on rates. Honkomp and Jacobs spoke against a need for a third reading. Councilman Dennis Werkmeister joined Heeren in opposing waiving the third reading. Heeren moved to amend the motion to remove waiving the third reading. That motion passed 3-2 with Honkomp and Jacobs opposing to rush to increase the garbage rates. There passing of the amended motion brought more discussion of approving the garbage rate increase. Concern that there is no contract or price set, especially commercial rates became an issue. A motion to table the garbage rate increase was voted down. A final vote to pass the 2nd reading of the garbage rate increase passed unanimously.
The 2nd reading of the sewer rate increase was made by Council person Jean Unrau. Heeren seconded. Dennis Werkmeister opposed the second reading. It passed 4-1.
Electric rate increases 2nd reading came up for discussion. The vote was also 4-1 with Werkmeister opposing.
Heeren moved with Unrau seconding the 2nd reading of water rates. Werkmeister’s opposition left the vote at 4-1.
The third readings for each ordinance change will be held Tuesday September 3, 2024. This is the last opportunity for the public to oppose the rate increases publicly.