Water rate increase to take effect July 1 in City of Hickman

by Barbara Atwill

Hickman resident and auto mechanic Tim Guess came before the Hickman City Commission Monday night asking, “Why the City does not trade with me? They take jobs to a gentleman that lives outside the city limits, going passed my business. I have had one job in a year’s time.”

Commissioners James Adams, Robert Griggs, Judy Powell, Phillip Williams and Mayor Heath Carlton were present for the regular session May 13 at Hickman City Hall.

Commissioner Williams asked, “Don’t the inmates do the work? I don’t know for sure.”

Interim City Manager Cubb Stokes answered, “They may have at one time, but not now.”

Guess continued, “I own four pieces of property in the City and I get nothing. The last job I did for the City was a brake job that took about one day.”

Stokes asked Guess, “Get your hourly rates to compare.”

Guess answered, “$50 per hour.”

Williams asked, “On big jobs give us a quote to consider?”

“The work I do is not based on how long I do a job, it is based on book rate. Whatever that labor rate says, that is what I charge. If it takes me longer, I lose money,” continued Guess.

Stokes said, “We will keep it in mind, it’s based on the job and convenience. If we don’t have a way to transfer from the barn to your place of business, and we do have someone to come to us. But we will keep you in mind.”

Alliance Water Resources representative Willie Caton presented the first quarter report, which included information regarding the creation of a well-head protection plan; issues at the water plant have been addressed and repaired; Waste Water Treatment Plant repairs; potholes filled; hours Alliance employees were in Hickman working; and approximately 10,000,000 gallons in treated water reduction in April

The Commissioners approved a renewal of a line of Credit at The Citizens Bank for the sewer project, and made board appointments including Housing Authority of Hickman, Sandra Alexander; Hickman Industrial Development Authority (HIDA), City Manager, as regular member, and Commissioner Griggs, as At-Large member.

The second reading of Ordinances was conducted for Ordinance #18-85, Water Rate Amendment effective July 1, 2019 to each water service customer; inside the city limits water rate will be $14.38 first 2,000 gallons; $5.18 for next 8,000 gallons; $4.60 for next 15,000 gallons; $2.93 for next 25,000 gallons; $2.58 for next 50,000; $2.09 for next 100,000; and $1.93 for next 200,000; outside the city limits $22.71for first 2,000 gallons; $6.90 for next 8,000 gallons; $5.18 for next 15,000 gallons; $4.05 for next 25,000 gallons; $3.48 for next 50,000; $2.76 for next 100,000; and $2.53 for next 200,000.

Mayor Carlton stated, “These rates were set by the State in order to receive financing to move forward with the water project at the Waster Water Plant, to deal with the discoloration of the water and make necessary improvements to move forward with clear water.”

Ordinance #18-86, Amending Commission meeting dates to the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. was given the second reading, effective in June, as May 27 is the Memorial Day holiday.

Invoice approvals included:

First reading of Ordinance 18-87, Sewer Rate Amendment, was heard establishing sewer rates as follows: residential, effective July 1, based on metered or estimated water consumption, per month first 2,000 gallons, $17.14 minimum; over 2,000, $5.29 per 1,000 gallons; commercial, first 2,000 gallons, $23.92 minimum; over 2,000 gallons $5.29 per 1,000 gallons.

Jermey Mathews, Hickman resident, asked, “Is this only for the pump station improvement or projects throughout town?”

Stokes answered, “It will only be used on the scope of the project mandated by the State.”

First reading of Ordinance 18-88, Budget Amendment, DRA Grant – Vehicle. This Ordinance amends the Water Fund budget for $40,000 for a grant received by the Delta Regional Authority grant for a vehicle.

Stokes explained, “We received a grant from DRA for $40,000. This is amending the budget, so when we receive the check we can pay, for auditing purposes.”

First reading of Ordinance 18-89, granting use of property on the Waste Water Treatment Plant Project, was conducted. This Ordinance gives permission for easements to contractors and vendors to perform improvements.

Stokes reported he had not time to work on sewer concerns, raised by Jermey Mathews at the last Commission, but he is working on them and will get back with Mathews.

Stokes said mowing is improving with a lot of cooperation. “We are concentrating on the downtown area and Route Hwy. 94 and Union City Hwy. to get to downtown”, he said.

Regarding city stickers, Stokes said, “I have been looking at other policies at other cities, and I don’t think it is fair. I don’t see how you can go back and penalize someone for not buying a city sticker last year. You have to communicate. I would like to see a couple of Commissioners look at the Ordinance and make it more business friendly.”

Commissioner Griggs asked, “If someone moves to Hickman, how long do they have to buy a city sticker?”

“They have 30-days to come in and buy a city sticker,” Stokes said.

“It is in line with State requirements for car registration,” City Clerk Donna Haney said.

The Commissioners went into Executive Session at 8:06 p.m., pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(f) and KRS 61.810(1)(b).

The Commission reconvened at 8:40 p.m., with no votes taken and no decisions being made.

Coming back into open session the Commissioners accepted: a letter of resignation submitted March 19, from Danny Pruitt, effective May 31; and hired John Amberg as Public Works Director, effective May 7, and Elgin Infinger as Public Works employee, effective May 20

Grace Sarsfield was hired as Treasurer, effective April 29, and James Blakney was hired as Police Patrolman, effective May 16

Hickman resident David Thomas said, “This week is when the late Rodney Smith, Hickman patrolman, will be honored in Washington, D.C. His wife is attending and I think it would be respectful for the City to send someone there for the family. I don’t think she should be out any expenses. He gave his life working for the city of Hickman.”

No further action was taken by the Commission prior to adjournment.