Water effort fizzles (01/08/08)

A hot topic for the old council was no big deal for the new one.

Before some of the Portland City Council members left their seats in December, they tried to change the city's policy to allow the water portion of residential water/sewage bills to be adjusted.

On Monday, the new council took no action on the matter and an effort to form a committee to study the matter died due to a lack of motion.

Former city council member Glen Bryant had hoped to change the city policy to help out Portland residents with large water bills caused by leaks. At the Dec. 17 council meeting, which was his last, there were more nays than yeas.

The city's current policy is to adjust the sewage portion of a large bill down to a three-month average prior to the leak.

On Monday the new council was to consider forming a committee to review the city's current policy.

City clerk-treasurer Linda Kennedy told council members that if a committee were to be formed, she felt that water department superintendent Doug Jackson, someone from the water office and a council member should be on the committee. She added that most communities in Indiana only adjust the sewage portion of large water bills.

Councilman Bill Gibson, who was elected president Monday, suggested that the council wait to make a decision on the matter until projects such as the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project are completed.

In other business Monday, council members voted to send two tax abatement requests for Joyce-Dayton Corporation - Portland Division, 1621 N. Meridian St., to the Portland Tax Abatement Advisory Committee for review.

The company plans to expand its current facility by 16,000-square feet and add new hoist equipment. The expansion is expected to cost $2,560,084 and the equipment $182,754. The abatement on the purchase would be for five years, and 10 years for the expansion.

The project would create five new jobs with salaries totaling $190,000.

Also Monday, council members:

•Reviewed an Industrial Pretreatment Enforcement Response Guide for the city's wastewater treatment plant.

The guide includes items such as how to respond to an industrial spill, categories of violations and what penalties would be assessed for violators.

Bob Brelsford, wastewater treatment plant superintendent, said this morning that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management is requiring the city to create the guidelines.

•Voted to accept the updated pages of the city's ordinance book. The pages include changes made last year to the city's code of ordinance.

•Learned about trash and recycling collection in the city.

Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, said that trash is collected in the city Monday through Friday, and Rumpke picks up recycling on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Citywide clean-up weeks are held in April, July and October. Large items are collected during those weeks. Large items, such as appliances and brush, also are picked up in the city on the first Monday of each month.

•Voted to void a check the city had issued that had not been cashed.

The $50.28 check was written two years ago to a John Smith for a water meter deposit refund.

•Decided to wait until the Jan. 21 meeting to decide which three council members would be appointed to the Portland Planning Commission.[[In-content Ad]]