Managing Editor

At the next meeting of the Spencer City Council, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 7, the council will consider an ordinance that creates a Combined Sewer Initiative surcharge to the city of Spencer wastewater customers. The proposed surcharge is $5.

The revenues generated under this charge will be used strictly for the cost associated with making the necessary improvements to sanitary/storm sewer that are being mandated by the EPA. The improvements could also include improvements to the wastewater plant as well.

It is important to note that this surcharge is to pay for the city's portion of future projects only. As with similar projects of this kind, special assessments will still be used for individuals that receive a direct benefit from the project. The estimated cost at this time for the improvements needed to meet the EPA mandate are approximately $30 million and will take 20 to 30 years to complete.

The preliminary surveys are in and it appears that 63 percent of the 670 surveys that were returned indicated that they either somewhat or strongly agree with the $5 monthly charge. Ninety-three percent of the respondents indicated it is not okay to discharge raw sewage into the river when it rains.

A committee of the whole meeting will be held just prior to the council at 6:15 p.m.

The committee will consider a request from Roland and Rikki Hamrick to purchase city owned property.

The property which is located at 605 West Ninth is an approximate 15' x 20' piece of and that was formerly used for a lift station. The lift station has been removed and the city has no further use for the land.

The Public Works Department supports the sale with the stipulation of retaining the existing five-foot easement, as well as selling the land "as is". This would remove the city from any responsibility that may result if any part of the structure might have been left on the site.

A public hearing to be held regarding the sale of another piece of city owned property to Carl and Laura Carlentini will be part of Monday night's agenda.

During the sale of land to General Machine Works it was discovered that there was an approximate three-foot of land owned by the city that overlapped where the Carlentini's garage is set. The city has no municipal purpose for the land and thus wishes to sell the land to the Carlentinis.

The Planning and Zoning Commission met to discuss the possibility of amending the City Code to allow for the use of a "Bed and Breakfast Facility" as a special exception use in the C-1 Commercial Zoning District and the B Multiple Residential Zoning District. The committee is recommending approval. The Progress & Development Committee met on this item as well and voted to recommend approval.

An ordinance amending City Code, concerning the time for appeal to the Board of Adjustment will also be discussed as part of the first filing process. The current code provides for appeals to the Board of Adjustment "within 30 days of the date of action." The change would reduce the time to "within 15 days of the date of action."