The Atalissa City Council set a deadline for residents to comply with getting their new high-tech water meters installed, attempting to complete a project they had hoped would be nearly done by now.
Matt Goodale, the city’s water and sewer superintendent, told the council Monday night, Feb. 14, he still has about 40 residents that need the new meters despite trying to connect with people.
Doing most of the installations on weekends, Goodale was assigned the task of replacing all the old readable meters with new high-tech meters that won’t have to be read and will catch leaks in the system, saving the city and homeowners money. The meters were bought late last year with American Rescue Plan federal stimulus funds, upgrading the city’s low-tech, tedious system that has been used for decades.
Goodale says despite his best efforts, he hasn’t been able to connect with about one-third of the households to switch the meters which takes about 30 minutes each.
Goodale said he’s heard all the excuses, from people working third shift and sleeping during the day to residents simply being busy with their lives, having things to do on Saturday like grocery shopping, running youngsters to athletic events and more.
Despite the city’s letters to set up appointments to get the switch completed, he said there are homes “all over town” where the task needs to be completed, noting he’s gone to some homes as many as three times.
He recommended the city send a letter to those residents demanding action and insisting their water may get shut off by April 4 if they don’t comply.
The city also decided to reinstate their late fees on paying water bills, something they put on hold during the installation, which was to be completed by February.
In other business, the city heard a virtual presentation by Mike Wagner of Alliant Energy, who explained options for the community regarding renewal of a 10-year contract of their franchise fee that expires Oct. 9.
Right now, the city has no franchise fee (basically a tax to local customers), but Miller said one could be added, noting it could be between one and five percent, providing more income for the community for specific projects.
Wagner said the fee, if set at one percent, would produce about $2,400 in annual revenue – money that could be used for public improvements, projects to prevent future disaster, public safety, street lights and more.
City councilman Tim DeVore suggested the money be used to add electrical outlets to electrical poles so holiday lighting could be realized. It got everyone on the board thinking while others suggested residents don’t need more service increases, even though it would amount to about $1 a month.
Having time to make a decision, the council decided to table the item for future discussion.
The city also talked about raising water and sewer rates in the community, noting it has been more than five years since a change was made. “It’s probably time we revised that,” said DeVore. Parry proposed raising rates gradually each year, including garbage collection rates, which are below the city’s cost for the services.
The city also reported getting a letter from the Muscatine County Historic Preservation Commission, addressed from Lynn Ochiltree and Becky Allgood. The letter stated the MCHPC recently completed a 19-month survey of country schools and churches in the countythat took 1,200 hours.
The group identified 104 county school sites and 37 county churches, with the final phase being placement of signage for these historic locations, including buildings that no longer exist like Atalissa schools and churches.
The council had some questions about the project, including concerns about placing the signs on the property whether desired or not. The city would question members of the commission about those concerns.
The council also talked about the memorial a New York University graduate wants to place in the city regarding the history of the famed Bunkhouse Boys that once lived in the community. Coucilman Evan Smock said he’s been trying to connect with the student, who he said may have already graduated, concerning the project but said she is unaware of how she wants to pursue the project of honoring the several dozen workers who once lived in the community and worked for the turkey production facility in West Liberty, now West Liberty Foods.
It was pointed out the Atalissa Fire Department has an historic display where items are continually added.
The city also set a public hearing on their 2022-23 fiscal year budget for their next regular meeting on Monday, March 14, beginning at 7 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Mayor Angie Dickey said the city has been working on the budget with clerk Samantha Parry. The city approved budget changes that included $1,000 for the police department to purchase a body camera for officers to use.
Police Chief Matt Bowers said he has been busy upgrading the police department, noting the police car’s radar system has been recertified and he is digging up uniforms for new officers recently hired to patrol the community about 45 hours a month.
The city approved an increase in pay for officers to compete with other communities, upping the hourly pay from just over $20 per hour to $23 per hour, including the chief of police, with the raises to begin in July with the new budget.
The city approved the hiring the firm of Stanley, Lande & Hunter PC as attorneys for the city instead of just one of their lawyers so work could be taken by any attorney if necessary.
The council approved the maximum tax levy for the city at the meeting as well, noting it did not change from a year ago at 8.1.
Fire Chief Mike Smock was also present at the meeting and gave an update on the emergency heating/cooling station being put together at the Atalissa Fire Department, noting nearly everything is complete, although the group is waiting on a generator and would be contacting a plumber to install the system when it arrives.
The chief said the first responders have also put together a soup supper fundraiser to be held Saturday, Feb. 26 at the fire station from 4:30-7 p.m. that will feature four different varieties of soup.
He called 2021 one of the busiest years ever for the department and noted two new recruits have made application to become fire fighters.
Smock also said plans are underway by the departent for the June 25 Atalissa Days fundraiser that may include fireworks.