Council OKs sewer rate increase 3-0

The Nevada City Council voted 3-0, after a lengthy discussion, to give final approval to a general ordinance to raise the city's sewer tax by 48 cents per 1,000 gallons of water usage per month. Tim Wells, who voted against this measure during the June 17 council measure, said that he was voting for it this time "with trepidation."

Councilmember Jayne Novak told City Manager Bill McGuire that she had a document from an unknown source, that Carl Brown sent to the city two months ago, stating that there was no need for an increase in sewer rates.

"What's changed since then?" she asked McGuire.

"I don't know where you got that from, either," McGuire said.

He said that the numbers that Carl Brown based his recommendation on were erroneous.

McGuire told the council that the Brown's recommendation were related to the rates needed to pay off $15 million in bonds and the wastewater treatment plant that is currently under construction will cost closer to $12 million.

"We will work with Carl when the wastewater treatment plant is completed and we know the actual cost," McGuire said.

He said that the rate increase he was recommending is based on the increase in operating costs, such as fuel and chemicals needed to operate the plant.

In other business the council:

* Voted 3-0 to accept the low bid of $1,423 per set of fire firefighters turn-out gear from Towers Fire Apparatus, Freeburg, Ill., for a total cost of $7,115 for five sets.

* Voted 3-0 to purchase a 1,500-gallon tanker truck for the fire department for $38,000 from the Jefferson City Fire Department. The city had budgeted $40,000 in the 2008 budget to purchase a tanker truck for use in rural fire response.

* Voted 3-0 to authorize the public works department to solicit bids for type 2 slurry chat and for 12,000 gallons of liquid asphalt for the city's slurry seal program for city streets.

* Voted 3-0 to pass on second reading a general ordinance raising the city's water rates by 17 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used between 1,000 and 50,000 gallons used monthly. The will be no change for customers who use less than 1,000 gallons or more than 50,000 gallons per month. According to information from the city the average city water bill will increase by 28 cents per month.

* Voted 3-0 to adopt Resolution No. 1227 authorizing the city manager to publish a request for qualifications from consulting firms to assist the city in preparing an update of the city's comprehensive master plan. The 2008 budget has $50,000 earmarked for this project.

* Voted 3-0 to adopt Resolution No. 1228 authorizing the city manager to arrange a financing package for the parks sales tax projects, which include either renovating or building a new community center and Earp Park improvements as well as other parks and recreation capitol improvement projects approved by Nevada voters.

* Voted 3-0 to adopt Resolution No. 1229 authorizing the city manager to request statements of qualifications from licensed professionals to provide construction design of the Twin Lakes Sports Complex.

* Voted 3-0 to adopt Resolution No. 1230 authorizing the city manager to request statements of qualification from companies to contract and design an enclosed shelter house in Marmaduke Park.

* Voted 3-0 to give final approval to a general ordinance to update the city code to speed up the enforcement of the city's weed and nuisance ordinances. The ordinance will allow the city to cite the occupant of a residence as well as any of the property owners and turn the matter over to the city prosecutor to issue a summons, without the need to post the property first. The ordinance also sets a 10 inches as the maximum height allowed for weeds and brush.

* Passed on second reading a general ordinance updating the city's regulations for city employees who use a city owned vehicle and establishing procedures for city employees to use their personal vehicle.

* Passed on second reading a special ordinance amending the 2008 budget by adding a $47,000 grant from Aquila to cover the cost of extending Enterprise Drive in front of the Ag Provision building in the industrial park.

* Gave final approval to a special ordinance amending the public safety department budget in include a $30,105 Homeland Security Grant for the purchase of equipment for the Homeland Security Response Team.

* Voted 3-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance to allow the connection of 17 mobile homes in Quackenbush Trailer Park, located east of Nevada at County Road 1712 and Noah Road to the city's sanitary system. Nevada City Manager Bill McGuire said that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has contacted the trailer park and told them that they can no longer use their sewer lagoon and would need to find another option. McGuire told the council that there was no way the trailer park can be annexed into the city at the t time. Any cost associated with the project will be paid by the trailer park.

* Adopted Resolution No. 1225 approving travel expenses of less than $500 for Bill McGuire, city manager, Julie Lewis, city clerk, and council members Tim Wells and Joyce Wilson to attend the Missouri Municipal League conference on June 12 and 13 in Jefferson City.

* Adopted Resolution No. 1226 approving travel expenses of less than $200 for Julie Lewis, city clerk to attend the Missouri Ethics Conference, July 10, in Jefferson City.

* Approved the liquor license application for the sale of intoxicating liquor in the original package for Cash-n-Dash, 401 N. Osage; Cash-n-Dash II, 1518 E. Austin; Cash-n-Dash West, 1502 W. Austin; Quality Convenience Store, 1112 E. Austin; Ramey's Supermarket No. 28, 500 E. Cherry; Wal-Mart Supercenter No. 34, 2250 Lincoln Ave. and Woods Supermarket Inc., 1407 W. Austin.

* Approved intoxicating liquor by the drink licenses for AmVets Post No. 131, 903 Subway Boulevard; American Legion Post No. 2, 702 E. Cherry; Casa Azteca Inc., 117 N. Centennial Boulevard; Nevada Country Club, 200 Country Club Drive; Nevada Elks Lodge, 510 N. Centennial and Road House Saloon, 705 N. Osage.

* Approved malt liquor package licenses for Fastrip No. 15, 410 W. Austin; Fastrip No. 36, 1811 N. Ash and Tim's Convenience Store, 320 N. Osage.

* Approved malt liquor by the drink licenses for Buzz's BBQ, 1505 W. Austin; Capri Bowl, 1701 N. Osage; Cherry Street Grill, 127 E. Cherry and Pizza Hut, 1100 E. Austin.