GARFIELD -- A water rate increase is being considered by city officials who have hosted two public forums to answer questions about the increase. The second, held Tuesday, May 9, prior to the City Council meeting, had no one from the public attend.
City officials agreed to post the proposed ordinance raising the rates on social media and then host another public forum prior to the June City Council meeting. There are several different rate proposals being considered, but all city officials agree a raise is necessary. Steps were begun to isolate and locate leaks to improve the water department's efficiency.
Planning Commission chairman Gayla Schuster made a presentation to the council and requested additional funds in the budget to pay for several extra Planning Commission meetings in order to review and revise ordinances governing planning. The council approved adding $2,250 to the budget. The five members get payed $75 per meeting.
A resolution written by alderman Jim Teeselink was approved. The ordinance is to "adopt a code of conduct as a reference and guide for its members."
Mayor Gary Blackburn presented, then withdrew, three separate ordinances. One was to eliminate code enforcement and the Planning Commission the second to change rules about public input at meetings and the third was concerning review and payment of city financial obligations.
"As the individual that drafted this ordinance," Blackburn said, "I can frame the issue as I see it. Code enforcement permeates eight to 10 of our city ordinances."
He told the council members they must decide whether to support the code enforcement officer and if they do, they should reject the ordinance. He said there have been several instances of people threatening to sue the city over code enforcement.
"We never took a stand. That was the intent of drafting this ordinance... enforce or not," Blackburn said, adding that the Planning Commission and code enforcement go hand in hand. "You can't have ordinances that mandate activity on the part of a code enforcement officer and not enforce it."
After quite a bit of discussion, Blackburn withdrew the ordinance.
The ordinance that would regulate public input included "persons wishing to address the city council can speak for as long as they desire."
"To speak as long as they desire," alderman Susie Morrison said. "That means they could read a book if they so desire... I don't think so. I am totally against this 100 percent... this is a free for all."
Blackburn withdrew the ordinance after council members adopted the resolution governing conduct of public officials.
The third ordinance about paying bills was drafted, according to Blackburn, in response to questions concerning payments. He said the "appropriate time to deal with those questions and get them resolved is prior to the City Council meeting."
After comments by Teeselink and alderman Terry Warren that the current system works, Blackburn said: "I withdraw the ordinance."
Alderman Katherine Shook's request to talk about topics to be discussed next month, and seconded by Warren, was rejected by Blackburn.
"We have an established procedure. You have rules. I see no reason in extending this meeting..." Blackburn said.
The meeting was adjourned shortly after 8 p.m.
General News on 05/17/2017