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City to raise water rates to cover increase from water
commission
By Connie Michelich
Auburn City Council members voted to raise water rates, passed four ordinances and declared a property a nuisance at
Monday night’s meeting.
Council members voted to raise water rates five percent each year for the next two years to cover a water rate increase from the
Otter Lake Water Commission. This year’s rate will be $5.05 per thousand gallons and will take effect October 1 (reflected on
November 1 utility bill). Next year the rate will increase to $5.30 per thousand gallons and will be effective October 1, 2009
(reflected on November 1, 2009 utility bill).
The first ordinance passed, the budget and appropriation ordinance #1278-08, allows the city to spend money; it represents
125 percent of the city’s actual budget.
Appropriations are as follows: total corporate fund which includes wages, $1,325,000; municipal gas system fund, $2,606,250;
waterworks fund, $1,158,750; sewerage fund, $861,250; motor fuel tax fund, $238,750; sewer surcharge fund, $418,750; lift
station fund, $593,750, Seventh Street project fund, $190,000; and park fund, $27,500.
The council also passed a new subdivision ordinance (1279-08). Marc Landers told the council he had discussed the city’s
subdivision ordinances with professionals, one of whom was Neil Malone of the Illinois Association of Realtors. Landers said he
would like to meet with him again and go over various subdivision ordinances the city has in place. He said “I want to protect us,
but entice developers.”
The next ordinance passed was the prevailing wage ordinance (1280-08) which sets wage guidelines for contracted workers
as required by law.
The last ordinance (1281-08) passed changes the probationary period of employees, except police, from six months to one
year.
Mayor Joe Powell reported that he was asked by the insurance company to sign a release for the amount of the community
center repairs. Powell spoke to the insurance representative and he was assured if additional problems cropped up they would
be fixed even though the release was signed. City attorney Alfred “Pete” LaBarre advised Powell to amend the release, adding
the potential cost of the window. The council voted 7-0 to allow Powell to sign an amended release.
Property at 110 W. Adams was declared a nuisance. The property owner will be given seven days to clean up said property or
she will be fined $50 per day until the property is cleaned up.
Another issue discussed was the debris and burn piles on city property throughout the city. Under the council’s direction, two city
employees have found over 100 residents to have piles of landscape waste dumped on city property. Some residents are also in
violation of the city’s burning ordinance. The ordinance states that burning of leaves and other landscape waste is prohibited on
city property.
The city cannot offer pickup of landscape waste because the EPA will not allow the city to dump it except when the EPA deems it
necessary.
Although the council did not take action on the matter at this time, the city will send letters to the offenders in the future requiring
them to clean up the areas and cease burning on the city’s property. Not only are the piles unsightly but more importantly can
block the natural flow of water, encourage the habitation of vermine, and burning leaves on streets can damage the pavement
and obstruct traffic.
A related problem is the placement of trash containers in the right-of-way on days when trash is not picked up and those
persons may receive a letter as well.
In another matter, Powell voiced his concern over the length of recent city council meetings. He proposed changing the way the
council accepts visitors. He said if the visitor requests to be on the agenda that person should be granted 10-15 minutes; if they
are not on the agenda they should be allowed five minutes. Landers suggested that a person not on the agenda should have to
sign in before the meeting. Most agreed changes should be made but no action was taken.
Powell annnounced the following city birthdays: Becky Brummett, 13 years and Josh Blankenship, 3 years.
In other action, the council:
• is giving the Ray Landers family two days to secure a construction site on Clover Lane and seven days to cut the weeds;
• lifted the probationary period of employee Jackie Ranson;
• approved the purchase of a squad car camera that will be reimbursed by a grant;
• was told the city would begin to Bo-Mag Interurban from Fifth Street to the ball field Wednesday (July 23) and it would take
about two days to complete;
• read a letter of resignation from Tony Rothering who is resigning as library board treasurer and member effective January 1,
2009;
• will work with the county to fix a culvert on Divernon road west of Edgewood Country Club.
The city council meets every first and third Monday. The next city council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, August 4 at city
hall.
commission
By Connie Michelich
Auburn City Council members voted to raise water rates, passed four ordinances and declared a property a nuisance at
Monday night’s meeting.
Council members voted to raise water rates five percent each year for the next two years to cover a water rate increase from the
Otter Lake Water Commission. This year’s rate will be $5.05 per thousand gallons and will take effect October 1 (reflected on
November 1 utility bill). Next year the rate will increase to $5.30 per thousand gallons and will be effective October 1, 2009
(reflected on November 1, 2009 utility bill).
The first ordinance passed, the budget and appropriation ordinance #1278-08, allows the city to spend money; it represents
125 percent of the city’s actual budget.
Appropriations are as follows: total corporate fund which includes wages, $1,325,000; municipal gas system fund, $2,606,250;
waterworks fund, $1,158,750; sewerage fund, $861,250; motor fuel tax fund, $238,750; sewer surcharge fund, $418,750; lift
station fund, $593,750, Seventh Street project fund, $190,000; and park fund, $27,500.
The council also passed a new subdivision ordinance (1279-08). Marc Landers told the council he had discussed the city’s
subdivision ordinances with professionals, one of whom was Neil Malone of the Illinois Association of Realtors. Landers said he
would like to meet with him again and go over various subdivision ordinances the city has in place. He said “I want to protect us,
but entice developers.”
The next ordinance passed was the prevailing wage ordinance (1280-08) which sets wage guidelines for contracted workers
as required by law.
The last ordinance (1281-08) passed changes the probationary period of employees, except police, from six months to one
year.
Mayor Joe Powell reported that he was asked by the insurance company to sign a release for the amount of the community
center repairs. Powell spoke to the insurance representative and he was assured if additional problems cropped up they would
be fixed even though the release was signed. City attorney Alfred “Pete” LaBarre advised Powell to amend the release, adding
the potential cost of the window. The council voted 7-0 to allow Powell to sign an amended release.
Property at 110 W. Adams was declared a nuisance. The property owner will be given seven days to clean up said property or
she will be fined $50 per day until the property is cleaned up.
Another issue discussed was the debris and burn piles on city property throughout the city. Under the council’s direction, two city
employees have found over 100 residents to have piles of landscape waste dumped on city property. Some residents are also in
violation of the city’s burning ordinance. The ordinance states that burning of leaves and other landscape waste is prohibited on
city property.
The city cannot offer pickup of landscape waste because the EPA will not allow the city to dump it except when the EPA deems it
necessary.
Although the council did not take action on the matter at this time, the city will send letters to the offenders in the future requiring
them to clean up the areas and cease burning on the city’s property. Not only are the piles unsightly but more importantly can
block the natural flow of water, encourage the habitation of vermine, and burning leaves on streets can damage the pavement
and obstruct traffic.
A related problem is the placement of trash containers in the right-of-way on days when trash is not picked up and those
persons may receive a letter as well.
In another matter, Powell voiced his concern over the length of recent city council meetings. He proposed changing the way the
council accepts visitors. He said if the visitor requests to be on the agenda that person should be granted 10-15 minutes; if they
are not on the agenda they should be allowed five minutes. Landers suggested that a person not on the agenda should have to
sign in before the meeting. Most agreed changes should be made but no action was taken.
Powell annnounced the following city birthdays: Becky Brummett, 13 years and Josh Blankenship, 3 years.
In other action, the council:
• is giving the Ray Landers family two days to secure a construction site on Clover Lane and seven days to cut the weeds;
• lifted the probationary period of employee Jackie Ranson;
• approved the purchase of a squad car camera that will be reimbursed by a grant;
• was told the city would begin to Bo-Mag Interurban from Fifth Street to the ball field Wednesday (July 23) and it would take
about two days to complete;
• read a letter of resignation from Tony Rothering who is resigning as library board treasurer and member effective January 1,
2009;
• will work with the county to fix a culvert on Divernon road west of Edgewood Country Club.
The city council meets every first and third Monday. The next city council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, August 4 at city
hall.
Issue Date: July 24, 2008
