by Mari Radtke
The Primghar City Council set a date to hold a public hearing to set water rates for industrial users. That public hearing is set for Tuesday March 11. During the upgrades to Primghar’s sewer lagoons it was discovered that waste from industrial users has created excessive waste in the system and slowed or caused problems overall for the system. The council’s solution to have the higher volume users pay a more appropriate rate for their use is to impose an industrial rate on certain volumes. The rate has been under discussion for more than a year.
A water main break during a cold snap revealed that several valves need to be replaced. That is a project Utility Supervisor Jarrett Russell explained they will take up in better weather. A pump for the lift station will be ordered. The City is does not have a backup pump. Russell announced that he passed his Water Distribution I license exam and will next work on water treatment.
Two grants to O’Brien County Community Foundation is in the works for the City of Primghar. One is for mulch and an additional attraction to the main playground piece. It is called a Dome climber. There is about $5000 in the city’s Park fund. They will ask for $10,000 for the playground improvements. The second grant is for an air conditioning unit to the skating rink for year around skating.
Two bids were received for painting at City Hall. Soho submitted the winning bid at $3262 which includes paint.
Council agreed to a 5% pay increase for Josh Logan, being what he was told during the interview process if he successfully reached 6 months. There was further discussion about paying the cost of his CDL, which is required for his job. Council agreed to pay $750 toward the CDL but that Logan would have to sign a contract to repay the money if he left before a certain period of time.
Council was asked to approve the salaries of the ambulance director and trainer, Jeremy McClaren and assistant director Robert McCauley. McClaren is the only full time and paid ambulance member. Paying him an additional $1200 per year generated discussion. Some councilmen were under the impression he was already doing director duties with his regular salary and questioned the appropriateness of paying the additional stipend. In the end, the stipend was approved for payment. The assistant director salary is the same amount. Robert McCauley lives out of state and did not want to take a salary and be required to file an Iowa tax return. This also generated discussion. Deanne Lansink, former clerk and currently teaching clerk staff said a salary is required to be paid to these officers although no one was clear about why. Council agreed to pay a salary of $0 to meet the salary request of McCauley.