By Jolene Farley
Hills City Council members quickly dealt with city water issues at their meeting Tuesday evening.
The council discussed a bill for $4,860 issued by Rock County Rural Water for water it says the city used from January 1999 to August 2000, a period when Rock County Rural WaterÕs meter wasnÕt monitoring correctly.
The city advised Rock County Rural Water of discrepancies between usage readings from the city meter and RCRWÕs meter. Rock County Rural Water maintained it was the cityÕs meter that was incorrect, according to City Clerk Connie Wiertzema.
When it was discovered it was Rock County Rural Water's meter that wasn't reading correctly, the city was sent a bill for the $4,860 difference in readings.
It is Rock County Rural Water's responsibility to maintain its meters, according to Wiertzema.
The city's lawyer, Doug Eisma, reviewed the contract between the two parties and advised the council it was his opinion the city owed only $838, instead of the $4,860 that was billed.
"They probably wouldnÕt know it today if it wasn't for our meter," said council member Jim Jellema.
The city will notify Eisma to send a letter to RCRW agreeing to pay the $838 per his suggestion.
The council passed a motion to increase late fees on city water bills from 10 percent of total water usage to a set fee of $10 for any late payment.
Fees were increased to offset the cost of supplies and labor to issue late notices for the bills.
The council discussed the purchase of an overflow alarm for the water storage tank and decided against the purchase because of the cost. The overflow alarm uses sonar to determine tank water levels and calls preprogrammed phone numbers if water falls below a certain level.
The tank has overflowed only twice since it was put up nearly 20 years ago, and a berm has recently been constructed for added flood protection, according to City Maintenance Manager Wayne Ward.
In light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, communities across the nation have been advised to take precautions with their water supplies. Although council members think an attack would be unlikely, they are taking precautions anyway.
The water plant doors, previously left open, will now be locked. A key will be issued to Hills Fire Chief Alan Top so the fire department has access in case of a large fire.
In other council business:
The council agreed to advertise the excess space in City Hall for rent. The United States Post Office has indicated it will be unable to move to the space in the near future. The Post Office has experienced a massive financial downturn since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Prairie Fire Internet Technologies representatives will be invited to attend the next council meeting to discuss a request to locate an antenna on the city's water tank.