By Sam Jack, TSnews
GARDEN PLAIN – On June 1, the Garden Plain City Council approved raising its fees for new sewer and water hookups to $2,500.
Under a pair of new ordinances, people requesting new water or sewer hookups will pay $2,500 up front. Later, if the actual cost of the hookup comes out to less than $2,500, the difference will be rebated as a credit on the customer’s utility bill.
The vote for the pair of ordinances, one for sewer and one for water, was 4-0, with Tracy Thul absent and not voting.
In other business:
• A representative from Flock Safety gave a presentation and answered questions from the council and members of the audience. Flock sells high-tech cameras that capture license plate numbers and make/model information from passing vehicles.
Council members received the information, but there was no action or discussion.
• The council agreed to contract with USIC for utility locates until additional city staff can be trained to perform them. USIC will charge $25 per locate request.
• Council members discussed problems with a drainage inlet located near Avenue B and Loomis Avenue. City clerk Kim McCormick said she would call engineering firm Kirkham Michael and ask if they could take a look and suggest possible solutions.
• The council approved an updated signage ordinance, 4-0. The ordinance was modeled on one recently approved by the city of Newton and is designed to be content neutral so that it does not infringe on free speech rights.
• A closed-door executive session was held in order for council members to discuss the city’s non-elected staff.
