Residents to see one-time credit

Aldermen approved a one-time credit for water and sewer bills in Hill City. The move, made at the Feb. 23 Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting, is in response to a change in billing dates to water and sewer bills.

“Everyone will receive two bills in March,” said city administrator Nate Anderson. 

One is due on the 11th and one is due the 25th.

The new billing is a result of changes made to Title 8 of the water and sewer ordinances, which will essentially shorten the billing cycle. 

“The big move was we adjusted all due dates to the 25th of the following month versus the 11th, two months later,” said Anderson. 

Meters will still be read on the first of the month, only now customers will be billed immediately with payments due the 25th of the same month. This means customers would have two payments due in March, hence the proposed credit.

“To ease this burden,”  for two payments due in the same month, Anderson said the resolution  before the council, proposing a one time credit for $80 for residential and non-residential bills. 

Those who are not on sewer will get a $25 credit for the water portion of their bill.

Mayor Tana Nichols said, “It’ll make it easier for people to tolerate.”

Aldermen also passed increases to residential water meter fees and fees to decommission water or sewer service. Seasonal water shutoffs also must now be requested during normal business hours with one day prior notice, so that public works employees are not doing shut offs on their days off. 

The bulk of the meeting was spent discussing a purchase agreement for an easement for 237 Elm St. Aldermen approved the perpetual easement after discussion of the need and cost. Anderson explained the need for a future storm sewer collection point since currently the Hill City Center roof drains so that ice collects on the north side of the building. The easement would put drains underground and direct water flow to Elm Street drains. Anderson did not see an issue if the seller’s  building doesn’t get built, saying the purchase, “gives us the option of doing the storm drain independently.”

The easement would also allow a sidewalk to the public restrooms being built in the alleyway. Alderman Dennis Siebert wanted to know how the cost of an easement is determined with Anderson saying,“I don’t have a great answer for you.”

Anderson said the easement was similar in length but narrower than the one proposed near the Jon Crane Gallery. Alderman Justin Thiry wanted to know if the city didn’t purchase this easement if the seller would be required to install a sidewalk. But because the property is located in an alleyway, they would not have to meet that requirement. Thiry then  asked if the city ever decided to put in a sidewalk from McGregor, and if it didn’t have the easement, if there would be a way to connect from McGregor to the center. Anderson said there would not.

Thiry also asked, “If we didn’t do this, what other alternative do we have for the storm drain at the center?” 

Anderson said the only “credible way” to fix the situation was to install larger gutters, redirecting all the gutters to Walnut Street.

Anderson read concerns from business owner  Jessica Jacobs who questioned if there was a sidewalk in the alley if people  would use it or not. She said the city should pay at most one dollar for the easement. 

Aldermen approved the $20,000 easement for the six foot section of land and discussed multiple ways to pay for a future sidewalk in the alley, including a possible city  tax increment financing district (TIF) so the city would retain all the taxes. No action was taken on that proposed TIF or the  sidewalk. 

Petitions for potential city council candidates are due March 24 at 5 p.m. 

County property assessment notices will be mailed by March 1. Those who live in town and wish to appeal their property assessments to the local board of equalization must file an appeal by the March 12 deadline.

Anderson gave updates on both the water and sewer projects. An environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact for the proposed wastewater treatment plant is available for the public for review at city hall.

The next HCCC meeting is March 9 at 5:30 p.m.