by Mari Radtke
A public hearing was opened on Tuesday March 11 in the Primghar City Council chambers accepting comments to the new sewer rates. The change in rates was only the institution of an industrial, or high user rate. During the lagoon improvements, industrial waste was found to be a problem that would continue to create high maintenance costs. To answer that problem, the city developed an appropriate rate to apply to users reaching certain levels or types of waste. The new ordinance was passed unanimously with the second and third readings waived. The ordinance will be in affect with it’s publication.
The council heard from Beck Engineering Incorporated (BEI). Mike Cedar, Landscape Architecht and Tim Moerman, Planning and Visioning Director. The pair outlined to the council their locations, services, some history of their organization and experience. In later discussion council considered the proposal and how BEI could be included into the engineering needs, visioning and finding financial tools into the city’s activities. Certain services were of high interest to council members with one noting, “We aren’t married to DGR.”
A long discussion of the spring clean up rules was had. Recent pickups found a lot of just garbage put out on the curb instead of unwanted items. Council members were firm that whatever is put out for pickup it must be contained. They recognized the unusual nature of the floods before the last community cleanup.