Washington City Council

The Washington City Council met in the City Hall at Noon on Tuesday (7-16).  After a call to order the minutes were passed and the financials were discussed. The financial statement was approved. It was noted animal control picked up a white pit-bull.

In the water report it was noted the water tank project had been completed.  Due to two manways needing repair the project went over budget by $7,000. ARPA funds have been fully used and the additional money will come out of capital improvement funds. When the tank was out of service, water leaked out of the overflow causing erosion. A new system needs to be created, maybe tapping into the existing overflow system and putting in gravel and dirt instead of the local sand that easily erodes.  The next issue will be the well.

Mike Rogers, the Water Superintendent, brought up the issue of tap fees. Washington hasn’t been charging any and with the hope of the city growing the issue was brought up so the city might be able to afford updates. Hope charges $700 for tap fees and Ozan $650. After a discussion as to what the costs of the work were and prices elsewhere, a motion was made to charge $650. The motion passed.  If water crosses a paved road, it costs $2,600. The issue of the water lines being extended and meters being installed right outside the residences was raised. This would require grants and the council passed a motion to investigate how to make it possible for them to do this work. Since grants are related to income the income levels for the city would need to be investigated.

For the fire report a motion passed to allow the fire department to purchase fire packs at cost of a little more than $18,000. Fire Chief Jon Barry talked about 5 calls the department had responded to from someone smelling something at the airport to medical calls. There were no fires. Barry also said he had ordered connecters for the fire hydrants and found a mismatch between the stated diameter 5″ and the actual diameter of the parts.  There is a training coming up on the 27th of CPR and AED. The Council discussed if the Fire Academy will give credit for the training.

In other news there is a “Speed Stop” Campaign with officers during the day using radar to slow down motorists.   During the night alarms are being addressed.  Mayor Paul Henley would like the city to invest in a solar powered speed sign with the idea of putting in two more. The sign would cost $3, 981.

The meeting adjourned.