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Connect-the-manholes sewer plan
A new sewer connection was the topic of
conversation when Jim Drew came before the council this week. Drew
said that he and his wife, Lisa, are planning to build a home on a
lot they purchased some years ago. When they purchased the lot they
were told that it was part of the Stonebridge subdivision. That
subdivision was annexed into the city shortly after its development
some years ago.
The lot is contiguous with other
homes to the east, near the Elks golf course, that have city sewer.
However, it appears that because of the way the homes were built
around the lot it would disrupt a number of the surrounding yards to
reach the sewer line, if it can be reached at all, Drew said. So he
was petitioning to de-annex from the city and planning to install
his own septic system.
Sewer system manager Grant Eaton
said, yes, a city sewer hookup for the site can be done. The
particular situation would involve three joints -- they would supply
straight shots if it ever needed to opened for repairs -- with the
addition of three manholes at $500 each.
The homeowners would need to invest
in a jet pump at about $5,000 cost, which is roughly what septic
systems are running, and they would probably want to get a small
generator for times when the power goes out, Eaton said. Also, this
is not out of range from the common cost of a new tap onto city
sewer, which is $5,000 to $6,000.
City attorney Bill Bates said that
the law requires the de-annexation petition to be on file for 30
days, so it will be April 29 before it can be acted on. This will
allow some time for more details to be worked out and the Drews to
decide what they would like to do.
Health insurance
New health insurance plans and
options for city employees are on hold until going to the police and
fire unions as part of negotiations this week.
Debra Callan of Blue Cross Blue
Shield addressed the insurance committee on March 13. She said that
rising health care costs have boosted insurance costs. This is
commonly making it difficult for employers, including government, to
provide the same benefits as in the past. Insurance is now more
designed to protect from catastrophic illnesses; it is not for the
nickel and dime, day-to-day health care coverage that we once had.
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 Employees are now being asked to
participate in choosing plans that lower costs by balancing
out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays and deductibles. Suggested
out-of-pocket costs ranged from $1,000 to $2,000. One plan had
$1,900 out-of-pocket expense and 90-10 in network co-pay.
They will choose between HMO and PPO.
Of the 71 city employees, 60 are on
regular health care plans, one is not and 10 are on Medicare.
The city has been with Blue Cross
Blue Shield. Staying with them would allow employees to stay with
the doctors they have now. The plan expires May 1.
A plan with Health Alliance was
considered, but there are a couple of health situations that they
probably would not take at this time.
New liability insurance bids are in
as well.
City audit
One company made the bid cutoff time
and date for the city audit. Lawrence Travis P.C. and Company set a
base bid of $14,000 plus $600 for each of the fire and police
pension fund and $300 for out-of-pocket expenses, for a total of
$15,500. The same company did last year’s audit. The base figure was
$12,000 last year and the add-ons were the same, but the city will
be paying to meet the new state-mandated government assets and
depreciation accounting for the first time this year. City Clerk
Melanie Riggs said it seemed fair to her; it is a lot more work the
company will be doing for that $2,000.
Recycling day
A recycling day for white goods --
stoves, refrigerators, dryers, etc. -- is scheduled for April 23 at
the Logan County Fairgrounds.
Budget
Budget meetings for the 2005-2006
fiscal year resume at 9 a.m. Saturday in city chambers. The new
budget begins May 1.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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