---
date: "2005-10-12"
title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2005-10-12"
source: "2005-10-12-minutes-council-monthly.pdf"
---

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

October 12, 2005

Attended:

Jim Hamsher, Mayor
Don Strong, Councilor
Roger McKinley, Councilor
Tom McAuslan, Councilor
Mark Wishard, Councilor
Marvin Casebeer, Councilor
Diane Clingman, City Recorder
Economic Development Coordinator

Mayor Hamsher called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  The roll was called, Mike
Springer and *Roger McKinley being absent.  The pledge of allegiance was recited.  The
minutes of the September 28 meeting were considered for approval.  MSP:  To approve
the minutes as written, Marvin Casebeer/Tom McAuslan.

Mayor Hamsher recognized the Economic Development Coordinator since he was in
attendance and asked if he wished to address the council.  He said he didn’t have any
particular business to discuss, but did say he had talked with the manager of Unicell
regarding the cell tower they installed.  The manager seems to think it has provided cell
service to the Prairie City area even though it has not.  There was also discussion of a
group being formed by Greg Jackson to address the Co-Gen/OTEC issue.

Abatement:  Jim Hamsher said he and Mike Springer had inspected the property on 1st
and Cozart.  He said it had been cleaned up to some extent.  He recommended that the
police department still needs to look into the claim that someone is living in one of the
campers.

Mark Wishard requested water usage information from the utility billing department for
the football field from 1998 to 2002.

6:15  *Roger McKinley arrived.

The Recorder said she had been working on usage and billing figures in order to do a
water rate analysis.  Based on two years of information, it appears usage has stabilized at
approximately 2.7 million gallons per month, or 32.4 million per year for a gross revenue
of $160,000 per year.  $70,000 of that amount is attributed to 415 users paying the base
rate of $14 per month for 5,000 gallons.  The balance of $90,000 comes from overuse,
most likely from the three top users; Prairie Wood, Blue Mountain Nursing Home and the
school.  She said more information is being gathered and analyzed in order to determine
appropriate recommendations for a rate increase.  She also stressed that the city needs to
look at its rate structure each year to determine if revenues are adequate to meet

Minutes October 12, 2005

expenses, rather than only when required to do so by a financing agency to meet debt
service.

There was discussion of the re-circulation of water in the million-gallon reservoir.  Mayor
Hamsher said the water in the tank had been almost completely exchanged.  It was noted
that Bob Titus was directed to document his discussion of Gary Burnett of DHS
regarding the issue in order to verify compliance, however no documentation has been
provided to date.  It was agreed that because the tank is now overflowing, Bob Titus
should be directed to cut back flow to it from the infiltration galleries.

Roger McKinley said Prairie Wood had agreed to participate in paying for road work
near the scale station on Fourth Street.

The Recorder said she did not receive a copy of the letter to the DEQ in response to the
wastewater spill violation that was due within 5 days of receipt.  Mayor Hamsher said
Bob Titus had given him one to sign and believed it had been sent.

Accounts Payable:  MSP:  To pay the bills, Tom McAuslan/Marvin Casebeer.

Well Drilling:  There was discussion of where the city is at on well drilling.  It was noted
that there is at least 20 days left on the application to amend the permit and no word on
negotiations with Coombs.  There was more discussion on the school’s watering patterns
and the fiscal impact of giving them free or discounted water.

Roger McKinley asked what the city must do to be able to lease the industrial site
property.  The Recorder said she would check into it.

6:50 p.m.  It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted:

___________________________
Diane Clingman, City Recorder

Approved this Date: ________________

_________________________________
Jim Hamsher, Mayor

Minutes October 12, 2005