CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 25, 2007
The meeting was called to
order by President Pleasant at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Marshall, Ms. Sellers, Mr. Fogt, Mr. Pleasant, Mr. Reams, Mr. Gore EXCUSED:
Mr. Burke
OTHERS PRESENT: Director of Administration House, Finance
Director Morehart, Law Director Aslaner,
Clerk Patterson
REPORTERS PRESENT: Ryan Horns – Journal Tribune
OTHERS PRESENT: Alan Seymour, Chris Schmenk,
Deborah Groat, Kathy Young, Jim Wing, Mr. & Mrs. Todd
Murphy, Wayne Young, Dan Daum
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. Sellers asked for the minutes to be amended
to show her excused instead of absent due to personal reasons. There being no further additions or
corrections, the minutes for the meeting on October 11, 2007
were approved as amended.
There being no additions or
corrections, the minutes for the meeting on October 16, 2007
were approved as written.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Ms. House reported that the bids for
excavation of the reservoir were opened.
Beaver Excavation was awarded the project for $6.7M.
Mr. Marshall asked if the
Wastewater Treatment Plant was on schedule.
Response was yes. The tunneling
machine arrived last week. Things are
going very well.
Mr. Reams asked if
construction on the reservoir would begin this year. Response was yes.
REPORT OF CLERK OF COUNCIL: Clerk Patterson received a request for a
liquor permit for Alvarez 1, LLC, dba Mangos Tex Mex, 435 Coleman’s Crossing Blvd., for a D5I liquor permit,
which is spirituous liquor for on premises consumption only, beer and wine for
on premises and off premises in original sealed containers until 2:30 a.m. Council had no objections.
REPORT OF PLANNING
COMMISSION: Mr. Alan Seymour reported
that Dominion Homes extended their preliminary plat for the far north end of
Mr. Marshall commented on an
email he had received from Mr. Phillips regarding the proposed Cook
development. Mr. Seymour said the
development came before Planning Commission as a sketch plan. There was lengthy review on the plan and in
general, it was well received by Planning Commission, however, there was some
hesitation on the residential plans.
There will be further discussion in the future. Mr. Marshall expressed concern for the amount
of proposed retail, when the Master Plan calls for mostly office. He’d like to see the City adhere to what the
Master Plan has designated for that area, mostly office and less retail. He noted the sketch plan shows 50% of the
development is scheduled for retail and 18% for office. He asked that Planning Commission take a
serious look at the plans.
Mr. Reams said the Master
Plan calls for that area to be an office park.
Years ago, a consultant for the County criticized the City for their
planning where they put a large amount of housing close to the interchanges,
because the best uses for the places that employers like to have are easy access
to those interchanges. Looking at the
parcels that are available for employment, it’s basically the last one and he
hates to see the last parcel be used for commercial when the Plan calls for
office use.
Mr. Seymour said often times
when the development comes to Planning Commission, the land is already zoned,
so their hands are tied. The land was
recently annexed and still has township zoning.
Ms. Sellers agreed that they
need to take a very close look at this development.
Mr. Seymour asked if that
Master Plan was still the way we want it today.
They are working with the tools that they have, and that’s the present
Plan.
Ms. Sellers stated she hoped
that Administration is updating the Plan according to the Resolution passed.
Mr. Gore said he has a hard
time dictating the way the developer has to develop his land. He would rather go through the process and if
there are questions, discuss them at that time.
Everyone needs to keep an open mind.
Mr. Seymour said the Plan
does come to Council from Planning Commission, so they’d like to bring them a
project that Council is already aligned with.
Mr. Gore suggested having a joint work session to discuss this
development.
Mr. Marshall asked if there
had been any inquiries on the
HEARING OF CITIZENS: No comments.
RESOLUTIONS
“A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE
CONTINUANCE OF ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS WITH VARIOUS COMPANIES
AND TO REPORT SUCH FINDINGS TO THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT” was presented
for third reading, title only. Mr. Reams
moved to pass the legislation and the question put, stood
Mr. Reams YES
Mr. Gore YES Mr. Marshall
ABSTAINED Ms. Sellers YES
Mr. Fogt
ABSTAINED Mr. Pleasant YES
Resolution 17-07 passed.
“A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AN
AMENDMENT TO THE ENTERPRISE ZONE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE,
UNION COUNTY, AND BDKM, LTD. AND PREMIER PRINTING OF CENTRAL OHIO, LTD. AND
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO SAID AGREEMENT” was presented for third
reading, title only. Mr. Marshall moved
to pass the legislation and the question put, stood:
Mr. Gore YES
Mr. Marshall YES Ms. Sellers
YES Mr. Fogt YES
Mr. Pleasant YES Mr. Reams
YES
Resolution 18-07 passed.
“RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE
AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE
NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY” was presented for second reading, public hearing. Mr. Marshall moved to waive the reading in
full; affirmative voice vote was unanimious. Mr. Fogt moved to
waive third reading, title only and the question put, stood:
Mr. Marshall YES
Ms. Sellers YES Mr. Fogt YES
Mr. Pleasant YES Mr. Reams
YES Mr. Gore YES
Mr. Marshall moved to pass
the legislation and the question put, stood:
Ms. Sellers YES
Mr. Fogt
YES Mr. Pleasant YES
Mr. Reams YES Mr. Gore
YES Mr. Marshall YES
Resolution 19-07 passed.
The resolution “TO ACCEPT THE
CONTRACT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 3032 AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY” was presented for first reading, title only. This contract has Administration’s
recommendation for approval. Mr. Fogt moved to pass the emergency and the question put, stood:
Mr. Fogt YES
Mr. Pleasant YES Mr. Reams
YES Mr. Gore YES
Mr. Marshall YES Ms. Sellers
YES
Emergency passed.
“A RESOLUTION OF ACCEPTANCE
OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE” was presented for first
reading, title only. Mr. Gore noted that
Mr. Fogt had a concern related to the Action
Plans. Mr. Gore feels strongly that any
of the Action Plan issues have to come before Council. These Action Plans are an outline on how to go
about achieving the goals. He feels it’s
important that the City have a Strategic Plan in place. It’s a living document and can be amended as
we go along.
“RESOLUTION DECLARING INTENT
TO APPROPRIATE PERMANENT EASEMENTS FOR A WATER RESERVOIR PROJECT” was presented
for first reading, title only. Ms. House
said this is the only unresolved easement.
She feels this will be resolved and this resolution will not be
necessary, but in the essence of saving time, just in case, thought it best to
start the Resolution process.
ORDINANCES
The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE
$152,526 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED GENERAL FUNDS FOR A TRAFFIC STUDY FOR THE CITY OF
MARYSVILLE, AND MODIFY THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AS A RESULT OF THIS
ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF THIS EXPENDITURE” was presented for
third reading, title only. Mr. Gore
moved to pass the legislation and the question put, stood:
Mr. Pleasant YES
Mr. Reams YES Mr. Gore
YES Mr. Marshall YES
Ms. Sellers YES Mr. Fogt YES
Ordinance 54-07 passed.
The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE
$5,000.00 FROM THE UNAPPROPRIATED DUI INDIGENT DRIVERS’ TREATMENT FUND FOR
TREATMENT SERVICES FOR INDIGENT DRIVERS AND MODIFY THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET
AS A RESULT OF THIS ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF THESE
EXPENDITURES” was presented for third reading, title only. Mr. Marshall moved to pass the legislation
and the question put, stood:
Mr. Reams YES
Mr. Gore YES Mr. Marshall
YES Ms. Sellers YES
Mr. Fogt
YES Mr. Pleasant YES
City Council Minutes
October 25, 2007
Page 5
Ordinance 55-07 passed.
The ordinance “AUTHORIZING
APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS IN STREETS, SANITATION AND STORMWATER FUNDS AND
MODIFYING THE ANNUAL BUDGET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE APPROPRIATIONS” was
presented for third reading, title only.
Mr. Marshall moved to pass the legislation and the question put,
stood:
Mr. Gore YES
Mr. Marshall YES Ms. Sellers
YES Mr. Fogt YES
Mr. Pleasant YES Mr. Reams
YES
Ordinance 56-07 passed.
The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE
$220,000 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED WATER FUNDS FOR DEBT SERVICE EXPENDITURES, AND
MODIFY THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AS A RESULT OF THIS ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION
FOR THE PAYMENT OF THESE EXPENSES” was presented for third reading, title
only. Mr. Reams moved to pass the
legislation and the question put, stood:
Mr. Marshall YES Ms.
Sellers YES Mr. Fogt YES
Mr. Pleasant YES Mr. Reams
YES Mr. Gore YES
Ordinance 57-07 passed.
The ordinance “TO ACCEPT
DEDICATION OF PARK LAND IN SCOTT FARMS FROM M/I HOMES OF CENTRAL OHIO” was
presented for third reading, title only.
Mr. Reams asked the Law Director what would happen if Council doesn’t
accept this?
Mr. Aslaner said you would be violating the
terms of the Final Plat. The Final Plat
says this land is to be dedicated. It is
Mr. Aslaner’s opinion that the park land has to be accepted. Mr. Reams asked if that is the case, why then
is it required to come before Council?
Mr. Seymour explained back in
1996, City didn’t have the park system they now have. The developer had the option of paying money
per lot or dedicating land. At that
time, land was desirable.
Mr. Reams was on Planning
Commission in 1996 and recalls the discussion.
Green space was required. He
doesn’t want to confuse green space with park land. Green space was required to be provided but
doesn’t necessarily have to be maintained by the City. M/I had agreed there would be a Homeowner’s
Association. Everyone will agree that
this is not a park; it’s a landscaped strip of land between Scott Farms Blvd.
and what used to be the Radlinsky property. He said Parks and Rec
made some recommendations that they didn’t want to accept small parcels for
public maintenance.
Mr. Fogt
stated that he was not happy with this dedication, as well as the next
dedication on the agenda. Mr. Fogt would like any park land dedicated in the future, to
be developed by the developer.
Mr. Marshall is not in favor
of accepting this. It is not a park;
it’s just buffer zone green space.
Mr. Gore said we can say 11
years later that it wasn’t a very good deal, but it was a deal.
Mr. Aslaner
stated it has to be considered that the City has been maintaining that property
for the past two years.
Ms. Sellers asked if all
challenges had been explored. Are there
any kinds of challenges that can be made to a final plat based on information
gained after the fact? Mr. Aslaner said I guess there could be, but he’d have to know what
she was specifically talking about. She
explained that Mr. Reams was sitting on Planning Commission at the time and
asked if he didn’t receive all the information that he needed at that
time? Mr. Reams said it was not a
process where they came to one meeting.
This happened over a period of years from the time they first presented
a drawing of their ideas to what they actually proposed later to develop to
then what happened here. That whole
process spanned several years. Mr. Reams
was on Council by the time it came through.
He said he can go by the minutes of the meeting and the discussion at
the earlier meetings where they talked about providing a Homeowner’s
Association and things like that. He
doesn’t know if that was just a detail that was missed. There is a lot of information on there. Members typically look more at the drawings
and the layout and sometimes those notes don’t get as much attention. Ms. Sellers asked if there was an active
homeowner’s association out there now.
(Ms. House’s response was inaudible.)
Mr. Marshall moved to pass
the legislation and the question put, stood:
Ms. Sellers NO Mr. Fogt YES Mr. Pleasant
YES Mr. Reams NO
Mr. Gore YES Mr. Marshall
NO
Legislation failed.
The ordinance “TO ACCEPT
DEDICATION OF PARK LAND IN THE WOODS AT MILL VALLEY” was presented for third
reading, title only. Mr. Reams moved to
pass the legislation and the question put, stood:
Mr. Fogt YES
Mr. Pleasant YES Mr. Reams
YES Mr. Gore YES
Mr. Marshall YES Ms. Sellers
YES
Ordinance 58-07 passed.
The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE
$575,000 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED WATER FUNDS, AUTHORIZING A TRANSFER OF $575,000
FROM THE WATER FUND TO THE WATER INCREMENTAL CAPACITY FEE FUND, TO APPROPRIATE
$575,000 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED WATER INCREMENTAL CAPACITY FEE FUNDS TO PAY FOR
THE RAW WATERLINE MAPLE-MAIN CONTRACT FOR THE WATER RESERVOIR, AND MODIFYING
THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AS A RESULT OF THESE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS” was
presented for second reading, public hearing.
Mr. Fogt moved to waive reading in full;
affirmative voice vote was unanimous.
The ordinance “TO AMEND
SECTION 1146.16, SIGNS IN ER, SR, R-1, R-2, R-4 AND R-5, OF THE CITY OF
MARYSVILLE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE” was presented for second reading, public
hearing. A Public Hearing will be held
on November 15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
The ordinance “TO AMEND
SECTION 1137.23(m), GOVERNMENT USE DISTRICT, SIGNS PERMITTED, OF THE CITY OF
MARYSVILLE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE” was presented for second reading, public
hearing. Mr. Fogt
moved to waive reading in full; affirmative voice vote was unanimous. A Public Hearing will be held on November 15,
2007 at 7:00 p.m.
The ordinance “TO ACCEPT THE
DEDICATION OF EASEMENTS AND PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR SHEPHERD’S LANDING AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY” was presented for second reading, public hearing. Mr. Fogt moved to
waive reading in full; affirmative voice vote was unanimous. Mr. Fogt suggested
waiving third reading in order to get this through so work can begin. Mr. Reams questioned whether Council wants to
take on this infrastructure without going through the whole legislative
process. Mr. Gore stated the City has
inspected and done everything possible related to this property. He feels the City has been cautious along the
way. Mr. Reams didn’t feel there would
any inconvenience to the people living in the area if it isn’t passed this
week. Ms. House said the City could not
begin working on the project right away due to other commitments. Mr. Fogt moved to
waive third reading, title only and the question put, stood:
Mr. Pleasant YES
Mr. Reams NO Mr. Gore
YES Mr. Marshall YES
Ms. Sellers YES Mr. Fogt YES
Motion failed.
The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE
$4,863.23 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED GENERAL FUNDS FOR CITY SAFETY EXPENSES FOR THE
ANNUAL COUNTY HEALTH FAIR, AND MODIFY THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AS A RESULT
OF THIS ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF THESE EXPENDITURES” was
presented for second reading, public hearing.
Mr. Marshall moved to waive reading in full; affirmative voice vote was
unanimous.
The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE
$967,000 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED WATER IMPROVEMENT & REPLACEMENT FUNDS FOR THE
FUNDING OF THE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE RESERVOIR
PROJECT AND MODIFY THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AS A RESULT OF THIS ADDITIONAL
APPROPRIATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF THIS CAPITAL EXPENSE” was presented for second
reading, public hearing. Mr. Marshall
moved to waive reading in full; affirmative voice vote was unanimous.
The ordinance “TO AMEND PART
FIVE, GENERAL OFFENSES, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE”
was presented for first reading, title only.
Mr. Pleasant explained that this legislation is a result of work done by
the Ad Hoc Committee. This legislation
has to do with sexually oriented offenses and/or child victim oriented
offenses. This legislation prohibits offenders
from living within 1000 ft. of schools, pre-schools, library, child daycare and city parks. Mr. Aslaner added
that this applies to everyone who is considered a sexual offender. There are different degrees of offenses. A list will be sent to City Council
Members. This legislation expands
restrictions that are already set by the Ohio Revised Code. This legislation, once passed, will be come
effective on January 1, 2008.
The ordinance “AUTHORIZING
APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS AND ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS, AND MODIFYING THE ANNUAL
BUDGET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE APPROPRATIONS” was presented for first reading,
title only. Mr. Morehart
said this is the annual appropriation transfers which will take care of any
shortages that have been identified.
The ordinance “TO AMEND
SECTION 1319.05, EXTERIOR APPEARANCE OF PREMISES AND STRUCTURES, OF THE
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE” was presented for first reading,
title only. Mr. Pleasant explained that
the purpose of this legislation is to prohibit parking a vehicle in the front
yard. A front yard is defined in the
legislation. Mr. Fogt
commented that this change is good for the appearance of the City.
COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
PERSONS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION
1.
Parks &
Recreation Representative – No report.
Utility Claims Board of Appeals
Hearing – Todd Murphy.
Mrs. Todd Murphy addressed
Council. On the morning of April 23,
2007, Mr. Murphy received a call from a hospital in
The June 6th water
bill stated the Murphy’s had used 6,790 c.f. of water for the period of May 2nd
until June 4th. No water was
used from May 2nd to May 18th because no one was home.
The Murphy’s submitted
paperwork with the Utility Claims Board and a hearing was held on September 14th. They informed the Board of a huge discrepancy
in the amount of water in which they were billed from May 2 to the June 4th
time period. They informed the Board and
submitted letters from a neighbor, Wayne Young, Ryan’s caregiver, who did enter
their home from time to time to pick up clothes for Ryan, a letter from Mr.
Murphy’s doctor and one from Mr. Murphy’s brother, Richard Murphy, who came to
the Murphy’s home on May 3rd, when Stanley Steamer cleaned their
carpets and duct work. The letters
stated that no water was running inside or outside their home. Also, Mrs. Murphy stated that Stanley Steamer
uses their own water.
The Board held that the meter
had to have been correct and somehow the Murphy’s used 6,790 c.f. of
water. They do not have a swimming pool
or anything that would take that much water.
Mr. Daum of the Water Department said that a
toilet could have been running and used that amount of water. Mr. Young was in the Murphy’s home on a
regular basis and heard no water running.
No one else in the home heard any water running. If the toilet had been running, how would it
have shut itself off.
Mr. Daum
offered to remove their water meter and inspect it for a fee of $25.00. Mr. Murphy chose not to have that done since
the meter at that point was working, and removing it would not prove the
discrepancy.
The Murphy’s feel the meter
may have jumped 6,000 c.f. and added that to the reasonable amount of 790 c.f.
for that billing period. Their average
water usage is 950 c.f. based on annual usage.
The Board decided not to
grant adjustment to their utility bill.
Murphy’s were informed they could take their case to City Council.
The Murphy’s paid their bill
in full ($333) when it was due. Their
typical utility bill is approximately $100.
They asked Council to approve crediting their account for the 6,000 c.f.
of water usage.
Mr. Wayne Young addressed the
Board. He verified that he was in the
Murphy house on a regular basis. He was
watching the house, taking in the mail, etc. He was in their house every day
while they were gone with the exception of Sunday. He did a walk-through to make sure all the
doors were secure. He walked around the
house to make sure everything was secure.
While in the home, he heard no running water. On several occasions, he walked to the
bathrooms just for that purpose. He
heard no water running. He is well aware
of how meters and remote meters work.. With the water meter reading one thing and
the remote reading the same thing, that’s what the utilities have to go
by. He neither heard nor observed water
running inside or outside the home. He
said one comment was made to the Murphy’s that he took offense to. They eluded to the
fact that they might check the neighbors to see how green the neighbor’s lawn
was.
Mr. Gore noted from the meter
readings given to him in the packet of information, the readings were
consistent prior to and since, but it was that one month that it jumped. He doesn’t understand how the meter would
malfunction one time.
Mr. Young said he doesn’t
understand with no one in the home, that that much water could go thru the meter.
Mr. Daum
of the Water Department addressed Council.
He showed Council two types of meters, an old style and a new
style. The Murphy’s have the old-style
meter in their home. He explained the
mechanics of both meters.
He feels bad for the Murphy’s
with what has happened here, but he gets in a lot of homes where people have
high bills and finds a lot of toilets that have malfunctioned. The Murphy’s used 50,789.2 gallons for the
month they were gone; that went through that meter. That is equivalent to 6,790 c.f. of
water. He showed Council a tool that
shows how much water can go through a hole of that size in a day. It’s a 1/8” hole, and 3,600 gallons can go
through that hole in a day at 50 PSI.
Murphy’s have about 55 PSI at their house, according to the fire
hydrant. With a ¼” line to the toilet,
which is normal for a house, it would take 3.8 days for that much water to pass
through the toilet. Mr. Daum said the meter will never record anything setting
there; it’s got to have less of a pressure on one side of it for it to
record. No electricity is needed. Regarding Mr. Young’s comment on the remote
readers; they do have remote readers that get off sometimes, but the Murphy’s
meters do agree. If it wouldn’t have
agreed, they would have taken it out and replaced.
Mr. Reams said there was a
comment made that the meter could have jumped 6,000 c.f. and asked how could
that happen on a meter like that? Mr. Daum said he’s never seen it happen and he’s been around 30
years, but there is always a first time for everything. Would have to see if it
happens again down the road.
Mr. Daum
called Stanley Steamer to find out how much water is used when they clean
carpets. He was told they do use the
resident’s water.
Mr. Daum
said the biggest problem when people use a large amount of water is the
toilet.
Mr. Marshall asked Mr. Daum to walk through the process to rule out the chances of
the meter jumping 6,000 c.f. Could it be human/clerical error where
someone just punches a wrong number or writes a wrong number. Mr. Green stated that on the type of meter
that Mr. Murphy has, the meter reader has to type the numbers into his
hand-held computer. The meter is on the
side of the house. When the Utility
Department sees a big increase in water usage from what is typical of that
resident, they call Mr. Daum or Mr. Ferguson to go
out and double check the reading to be sure the wrong number was not put in the
computer. They go out and compare those
two numbers inside and outside. If the
meter reader had typed the wrong number outside on the hand-held computer, it
wouldn’t match the number on house. The
reading that they put in the hand-held computer did match the reading on the
house and inside the house. Mr. Daum went out to see Mr. Murphy after they got their bill
and confirmed that the meter reader was right.
Mrs. Groat
addressed Council. She feels it’s more
likely that a toilet was left running for 3.8 days between April 23rd
and May 22nd with neighbors, a caregiver and a service company
entering the home, than that the meter malfunctioned and then returned to
proper functioning with no repair being (inaudible).
Mr. Murphy addressed
Council. The bill was for usage from May
2nd to June 4th. If
that amount of water went thru the meter in 3.8 days, when did it start, when
did it end? Did it shut off by itself
after 3.8 days? He feels the water meter
can malfunction.
Mrs. Murphy believes if a
toilet was running, someone would have to do something
to it to stop it from running. No one
who was in their home did that. Mrs.
Murphy said they wouldn’t go to this much trouble if they didn’t feel there was
a problem.
Mr. Young asked Mr. Daum, with that amount of water going through the system,
would you not hear it?
Mr. Reams said Mr. Daum said you could use that amount of water in 3.8 days if
that was left fully open, but it could be running at a lower rate, have a
slower leak and it might take two or three times as long. It may be less noticeable.
Mr. Young said he’s had
leakage in his bathrooms before, just a small amount going through and he can
hear it.
Mr. Marshall commented that
he once had a water bill double in a month’s time and it was at a non-peak
season where there was no exterior watering.
They found his toilet was leaking and it wasn’t audible. It was the seal that started to degrade and
erode and water was coming in that wasn’t audible. So it is possible for a toilet to leak and
not hear anything. That problem could not
fix itself.
Mr. Pleasant said since that
high reading, readings have run anywhere from 740 to 820 and prior to that time
ran from 440 to 850. At no time was it
over 900.
Mr. Marshall said unless Stanley
Steamer has changed its policy in the last year, they used his water when they
cleaned his carpets.
Ms. Kathy Young, a local
realtor, addressed Council. Two or three
months ago, her neighbor realized her water faucet was on all day and her water
bill increased by $50.00 for one day.
She assumed it was a disgruntled tenant because she has rental
properties. She called the police to
report it, so it could be happening to other people.
Mr. Marshall mentioned in the
information, the Murphy’s offered a compromise to pay for 1,570 c.f., which was
the highest water bill they’ve had in the past few years. That was for a month that they did
landscaping at their home.
Mrs. Murphy said if there had
been a slow leak, one that was inaudible, what happened the following month
because they didn’t fix the toilet. What
happened and why isn’t it still leaking?
Mr. Green noted as a point of
reference, if Council should decide to do some kind of compromise, due to
summer sewer credit, the sewer portion of the bill has already been adjusted
down to their average usage, so he asked that any compromise that Council may
work out would be on the water portion of the bill and not on the entire bill.
Mr. Pleasant reminded
everyone that November and December Council meetings will be held on the first
and third Thursday, so the next Council meeting is November 1st, at
which time Council will render a decision.
COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR AND
COUNCIL PERSONS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION
Ms. House encouraged everyone
to attend Fall Frolic uptown, on Friday, 10/26, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before
Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.