SILVER LAKE – From snow removal to water rate changes and raises, the Silver Lake Town Council was busy Tuesday night.
Angel McGlennen went before the board to discuss her child walking on Ind. 14, because snow was not cleaned off the sidewalks. McGlennen contacted Clerk-Treasurer Angie Glass about a possible bus stop to prevent the issue. McGlennen was wondering what else could be done so that her child was not walking on a state highway.
The idea to clean off the sidewalks or enact an ordinance to do so was discussed.
Jasun Blocher, city street commissioner, did not mind cleaning off the sidewalks around town for the kids to walk on the sidewalks.
“The one thing that will come up is that people will complain that their sidewalk is not done,” Blocher said.
Town Council President Linda Baker said it would not be fair to ask the street department to clean off all of sidewalks in Silver Lake.
Rick Elliott suggested the possibility of a designated snow removal route, along Main and Herendeen, where the children are walking on Ind. 14.
Glass told McGlennen that she would call the bus driver and superintendent to talk to them about a bus stop for the children.
The board allowed Eric Walsh of H.J. Umbaugh and Associates to go over the proposed changes to water rates.
“The focus is mainly on water and hydrant rental fees to help alleviate some of the stress from the general fund,” Walsh said.
“The last time I was here was in June,” Walsh said. “Based on a study at that time, we calculated a rate increase of 15.8 percent.”
For the average water customer in Silver Lake that uses 4,000 gallons per month, the difference would be $4.90 per month, or $35.78 compared to $30.89.
Walsh also informed the council that the hydrant fee study that was conducted would bring higher fees for hydrant rental as well.
“Based on the meter size, the change will help alleviate the payment from the general fund to the water utility,” Walsh said. “For five-eighths and three-fourths size meters the fee would be $4.74 per month.”
Previously, the payment for hydrant rental was paid by the Town of Silver Lake and those outside of Silver Lake who used them as well. If Silver Lake adopts ordinance 12-01-11, all citizens within the city limits of Silver Lake will be required to pay the fee.
Under the new ordinance there will also be an increase to the minimum user fee. For those who use less than 2,000 gallons a month, the new fee will be $20 per month, or an increase of $2.75 from $17.25.
The council voted unanimously to introduce the rates as discussed.
Glass then informed the council that she had budgeted a 5-percent raise for all hourly employees for this year. The only question for the council was what percentage increase would the employees receive.
Blocher told the council he did not want the raise and that he would give his portion to another employee if he could.
“I am glad to have a job, a lot of people do not take raises,” Blocher said. “I don’t need it. I am glad to have a job.”
Gale Owens motioned to give a 5 percent raise to all hourly city employees and not elected officials. The motion passed 3-0.
The next meeting for the Silver Lake Town Council is Dec. 27, and at that time the council will hold a hearing on the proposed water rate adjustment.
