Council approves increase in water and sewer fees
 

New rates for water and sewer fees were established at Snyder's regular city council meeting Monday night.

Resolution 2010-1 establishing fees for water and sewer service was voted in to be effective April 1st. The first 2,000 gallons of water increased from $15.59 to $17.50 with each additional 1,000 gallons going from $2.60 to $3. Sewer fees increased from a flat rate of $6.75 per month, per customer, to $13.50. Minimum monthly bill for residential customers will be $59.15 and $64.20 for commercial.

City Clerk Tammy Biddle said this will bring Snyder's rates more in line with other towns of the same size. According to an OML survey, only three other towns have a flat rate on sewer, the lowest of which is $16.50 per month. These rates have not been raised in two years, while costs to the city have increased. Plans are to tie the rates to the cost of living index, with a built-in yearly increase. This should keep the fees from going up too much all in one jump.

Rates for the Town of Mountain Park and Comanche County Rural Water District No. 4 were not increased at this time. Mountain Park currently pays $1.75 per 1,000 gallons and the rural water district pays $2 per 1,000. New rates for these bulk water customers will be established as plans are made for a new water plant.

In an e-mail from Fire Chief Bill Graves, he requested a rate increase of $1 for fire transfer fees. This fee was overlooked earlier in the year when the council increased fees for other community services. The increase will bring the fire department fee to $2 per month. Resolution 2010-5 establishing fire transfer fees was passed.

An update of the Snyder Municipal Code Books by SWODA was approved. According to Biddle, current books are difficult to use, very convoluted and out of date. The books were last updated in 1988.

City attorney Shane McLaury said an update is recommended at least every 10 years. The current books in a "terrible mess," he said. Each council member, the mayor, clerk and attorney should have a copy.

SWODA prepares the books for $3,000 on a two-year contract with the city providing copies of each ordinance.

The council agreed to amend the fire department budget to include the FY 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant awarded by FEMA. The grant totals $83,420. The Federal share is 95% or $79,249 of the approved amount and the fire department contributes $4,171. The funds will be used for equipment per Chief Graves' discretion.

Assistant Police Chief Terry Taylor gave an update on disaster recovery. He said an emergency plan has been approved and an site has been approved for disposal of limbs and storm debris. Mayor Gary Anderson said Taylor has worked very diligently pulling all the information together and is to be commended for all his work.

One bid was received for auditor for the period ending June 30, 2009. Jackie Graves' bid of $15,000, which is the same amount as the previous year, was accepted.

Crawford and Associates submitted the only bid for financial statements in the amount of $24,450. The council had been dissatisfied with Crawford's work preparing last year's statements because they took so long to receive them, but has discovered the delay was due to Snyder's former city clerk not providing information in a timely manner and not providing complete information. Crawford stated their personnel had asked them not to bid on Snyder because last time was so much trouble. They had to send personnel to city hall to find information needed. Biddle and City Treasurer Patti Locklear assured Crawford that record keeping has improved and all information will be provided. The council accepted the bid.

A citizen complaint was received regarding junk cars cluttering the yard at 400 10th street. The council voted to begin nuisance abatement proceedings.

Effective November 2008 all cities are required to have a code enforcement officer who has completed certification training. Employees of a municipality employed or otherwise assigned to enforce provisions of Section 22-111 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall complete certification training specifically applicable to such section as adopted and administered by the Oklahoma Code Enforcement Association, an internationally recognized model code organization, career technical education program, or an institution of higher education. The certification training shall be completed within one year of employment or assignment for such enforcement.

Council member Spud Kirk said having a trained officer gives the city "a leg to stand on" in enforcing actions. The council agreed it would be beneficial to have someone who has been trained and knows the requirements for enforcement.

The council had previously approved Animal Control Officer Jerry Taylor as Snyder's code enforcement officer when reviewing his job description. It was agreed that he would be best to do the job as long as he keeps within a 32 hour work week. They said he is in a better position to observe violations since he patrols the town regularly in his animal control duties. The council approved sending Taylor to Basic Code Class at a cost of $185.

Minutes of the February 16 regular meeting, March 1 special meeting and March treasurer's report were approved.

Payroll of $23,623.16 was approved with council member Teresa Mills casting a "no" vote. Mills requested that hours be shown on future payroll statements. She questioned why Police Chief John McBee appears to be working less than a 40 hour week while other officers are putting in overtime. Department heads were recently instructed to cut out overtime due to budget constraints. "We didn't hire him to work part time and receive full time benefits," she said. Mayor Anderson said he'd have to look into it and placed the issue on the agenda for the March 29 special meeting.

First of the month purchase orders, warrants and claims in the amount of $24,900.18 were approved.

Following executive session the council agreed to convert the city treasurer position to a full time 40 hour work week with full time benefits at current pay rate.

Only one application was received for the swimming pool manager. Kirk stated the applicant was very qualified for the job, but voiced concern that the position had a short advertising period. The council voted to table the matter until the Mar. 29 special meeting and re-advertise the position. Applications will be taken until 3 p.m., Mar. 12. Full job description and applications are available at city hall.

Under new business, McLaury reported Randy Archer had contacted him on behalf of the Mountain Park Master Conservancy District. The district has voted to allocate the small remaining portion, 130 acre ft., of non-allocated water to the three owners, Snyder, Altus and Frederick at no additional charge.

SPWA has short agenda

Snyder Public Works Authority convened at 8:50 p.m. and make quick work of a short agenda.

The resolutions for water, sewer and fire transfer fees were approved as written along with minutes of the Feb. 16 regular meeting, Mar. 1 special meeting and March treasurer's report.

The council approved a budget amendment withdrawing $18,056.84 from the Rural Development Reserve Account and placing it in the water plant account. The reserve account was overfunded and Rural Development approved the withdrawal providing funds are used to pay past due accounts payable of the water system.

Payroll was encumbered with council member Clay Oxley voting "no." First of month purchase orders, warrants and claims in the amount of $39,478.34 were encumbered.