Resident raises concerns about city's water policies

Armstrong, during a public hearing on an ordinance to raise the water rates, said that in January she had a large water leak underground, between the water meter and her house and she did not find out about it until her water bill came three weeks later.

"I should have been notified Jan. 28," she said, adding that in the past the meter readers would let residents know if the usage was a lot higher than normal.

Armstrong's water meter was read on Jan. 28.

Joe Charles, public works director, said that in the past meter readers carried a book with them that showed how much water was used each month and they could check on that. Today, the meter readers carry a hand-held device to record the meter readings and it does not give them access to the residents monthly water usage.

At the council's request Moore said he will look into what would be involved in putting a notice on the monthly water bills to let customers know if their usage is abnormally high.

High water usage during the winter months carries a secondary penalty, because residents sewer rates are based on their water usage between November and March, to avoid including water that may be used for filling swimming pools and watering lawns and gardens.

This year Nevada residents can look forward to increases in their water and sewer bills since the Nevada City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night, with Joyce Wilson voting no on both measures, to pass on first reading two general ordinances that will increase both the water and sewer rates. The council will finalize both ordinances during their April 7 meeting.

Under the terms of the new ordinances the city's sewer rate will increase from $3.41 to $3.76 per 1,000 gallons of water consumed. According to the city this will increase the median sewer bill by $1.08 per month.

A second ordinance increasing the water rates calls for the basic water rate to increase from $10.30 to $10.50 for the first 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof, and increase the cost of the next 49,000 gallons from $5.98 to $6.18 per 1,000 gallons of water consumed. It will also increase the water rate from $3.64 to $3.84 for all water consumed over 50,000 gallons per month.

According to the city, the median water bill will increase by $.57 per month and will raise the city's total water revenue by about $57,000 per year.

In other business the council:

* Voted 5-0 to approve the re-appointment of Jay Taylor to the plumbing board, Blake Hertzberg to the planning commission and the appointment of Dave Millam to the electrical board.

* Voted 5-0 to approve a new malt liquor license for Buzz's BBQ LLC for their new location at 1402 W. Austin. Liquor licenses are not transferable from one location to another one.

* Voted 5-0 to approve a right-of-way solicitor's license for The American Red Cross Greater Ozark Chapter-Nevada for April 4 at the Osage and Austin boulevard intersection.

* Voted 3-2 to pass on first reading a special ordinance adding $50,000 to the 2009 budget for the purpose of designing and building a a new maintenance barn for the parks department at 604 S. Jefferson St. This is to replace the current maintenance building located at 200 W. Hunter St., which may be torn down for the expansion and renovation of the City-County Community Center. Council members Tim Wells, Mike Hutchens and Jayne Novak voted yes and Bill Gillette and Joyce Wilson voted no.

* Voted 4-1 to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving a design-build contract with Miller Construction, El Dorado Springs, for a new maintenance building for the parks department. The cost of the project is about $49,750.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving a professional services agreement with Tri-State Engineering Inc., Joplin, not to exceed $6,200, to develop a conceptual lighting plan, probable construction costs, and submit the date to Missouri Department of Transportation for approval for construction. The city is responsible for the total cost of this portion of the project. The estimated cost of the construction is $220,000, with the state paying 80 percent of the cost and the city paying the remaining 20 percent.

* Voted 5-0 to postpone until the Council's April 7 meeting consideration of a service agreement with the Nevada-Vernon County Chamber of Commerce for marketing and promoting tourism and a second ordinance adding term limits for members of the tourism committee.

* The council also voted 5-0 to give final approval for four other ordinances: a service agreement with the Children's Center of West Central Missouri; a correction to Air Methods lease for space at the airport; a $293,705.75 contract with Rosetta Construction LLC for construction of new sewers on East Locust Street and the purchase of a house and lot at 320 N. Ash Street for the Community Center renovation project.