Waynesville City Council members on Thursday approved two ordinances, unanimously agreed to pursue a $500,000 grant that could positively affect sewer rates, reappointed two attorneys and honored four heroes who rescued slumbering residents of an apartment fire.
In the first ordinance, City Council members unanimously agreed to reward longtime waste hauler Zeigenbein Sanitation Service with a contract extension to Aug. 31, 2011. The company has served the city since Sept. 1, 1994.
Councilman and Utilities Committee Chairman Mike France told council members the Utility Committee reviewed four bids for service ranging from $11.75 to $14.
“We just felt like Zeigenbein has served the city well,” France said. “We felt like it wasn't about the money, which was (negligible). We wanted to reward them. They provide a known service.”
The extension does not include a rate increase, which stands at $11.95 a month for residences. Two other bids were higher, one was 20 cents a month lower than Zeigenbein’s.
The other ordinance involved wastewater service for city residents. A planned wastewater fee increase is pending, but with the city's intent to apply for a $500,000 Department of Natural Resources grant to address infiltration and inflow problems, the rate increase will be put on hold until the city learns the status of its loan and the effect a successful grant application will have.
City Administrator Bruce Harrill said the timing of the grant is a perfect fit for Waynesville.
“The DNR grant is for $500,000, and we need to apply fast,” Harrill said. “It will help us with our I&I (inflow and infiltration). Another city was not able to execute in time, so it has come to us. This half-million-dollar grant will help us keep our rates low. It's a great opportunity for the city,” Harrill said.
Harrill explained the funds reflect money the city is going to spend anyway as it improves its sewer system. The grant, essentially, would replace city funding on part of the $5.2 million project.
Harrill said he learned of the grant opportunity from Carl Ramey of Stifel, Nicholas & Co.
“It's a good match for the city,” Ramey said, briefly addressing the council
France, the Utilities Committee Chairman, agreed.
“I think we need to do what we must to take advantage of this grant that just fell into our laps today,” said France.
Sen. Frank Barnitz (D-District 16) recognized four heroes of the March 25 Shannon Valley Apartment Complex fire that directly affected four families.
Barnitz presented Patrolman Alex Baker, Brandon Robertson and Cpl. Brian Moore of the Waynesville Police Department and Billy Steely, an employee of Rothman Towing, signed resolutions from the Senate Chambers for their act of heroism.
Waynesville Police Chief Bob Carter called the four heroes.
“If they had not responded when they did and in the manner, the outcome certainly would have been more serious,” Carter said. “It was a fully-engulfed fire when they got there. They were pulling people out of the fire,” Carter said of the fire that came at 12:09 a.m. March 25.
As it was, there were no serious injuries. One firefighter and two officers were affected by smoke inhalation, but it could have been worse.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Carter said.
The council also agreed unanimously to accept Mayor Cliff Hammock’s recommendation to extend the contracts of City Attorney Ralph Muxlow and Municipal Judge Kevin Hillman to June 30, 2012.
|
|
|
Waynesville City Council members on Thursday approved two ordinances, unanimously agreed to pursue a $500,000 grant that could positively affect sewer rates, reappointed two attorneys and honored four heroes who rescued slumbering residents of an apartment fire.
In the first ordinance, City Council members unanimously agreed to reward longtime waste hauler Zeigenbein Sanitation Service with a contract extension to Aug. 31, 2011. The company has served the city since Sept. 1, 1994.
Councilman and Utilities Committee Chairman Mike France told council members the Utility Committee reviewed four bids for service ranging from $11.75 to $14.
“We just felt like Zeigenbein has served the city well,” France said. “We felt like it wasn't about the money, which was (negligible). We wanted to reward them. They provide a known service.”
The extension does not include a rate increase, which stands at $11.95 a month for residences. Two other bids were higher, one was 20 cents a month lower than Zeigenbein’s.
The other ordinance involved wastewater service for city residents. A planned wastewater fee increase is pending, but with the city's intent to apply for a $500,000 Department of Natural Resources grant to address infiltration and inflow problems, the rate increase will be put on hold until the city learns the status of its loan and the effect a successful grant application will have.
City Administrator Bruce Harrill said the timing of the grant is a perfect fit for Waynesville.
“The DNR grant is for $500,000, and we need to apply fast,” Harrill said. “It will help us with our I&I (inflow and infiltration). Another city was not able to execute in time, so it has come to us. This half-million-dollar grant will help us keep our rates low. It's a great opportunity for the city,” Harrill said.
Harrill explained the funds reflect money the city is going to spend anyway as it improves its sewer system. The grant, essentially, would replace city funding on part of the $5.2 million project.
Harrill said he learned of the grant opportunity from Carl Ramey of Stifel, Nicholas & Co.
“It's a good match for the city,” Ramey said, briefly addressing the council
France, the Utilities Committee Chairman, agreed.
“I think we need to do what we must to take advantage of this grant that just fell into our laps today,” said France.
Sen. Frank Barnitz (D-District 16) recognized four heroes of the March 25 Shannon Valley Apartment Complex fire that directly affected four families.
Barnitz presented Patrolman Alex Baker, Brandon Robertson and Cpl. Brian Moore of the Waynesville Police Department and Billy Steely, an employee of Rothman Towing, signed resolutions from the Senate Chambers for their act of heroism.
Waynesville Police Chief Bob Carter called the four heroes.
“If they had not responded when they did and in the manner, the outcome certainly would have been more serious,” Carter said. “It was a fully-engulfed fire when they got there. They were pulling people out of the fire,” Carter said of the fire that came at 12:09 a.m. March 25.
As it was, there were no serious injuries. One firefighter and two officers were affected by smoke inhalation, but it could have been worse.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Carter said.
The council also agreed unanimously to accept Mayor Cliff Hammock’s recommendation to extend the contracts of City Attorney Ralph Muxlow and Municipal Judge Kevin Hillman to June 30, 2012.
