City of Edmonton – The water is rising

By PJ Martin

Office/News Reporter, Metcalfe Division

 

The monthly meeting of the Edmonton City Council was held on Monday, May 6^th with special guest Andy Lange, Assistant Director for Kentucky Rural Water Association (KRWA) who presented a survey of the water and sewer rates. The cost of compiling the survey was paid by the Appalachian Regional Assistance Program.

According to Lange, the water rates have remained unchanged since 2009 and sewer rates since 2013. Currently, the City of Edmonton is in the process of planning a water system construction/maintenance project that is estimated to cost approximately $5.2 million. That project is necessary to correct the water quality issues that have occurred over the last couple of years.

According to Mayor Doug Smith, “It’s a bitter pill to have to swallow, but to fix the water this is what it’s gonna take.”

The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) is available to fund the project with principle forgiveness of $1.7 million and an interest rate of one half a percent; however, to qualify the city must prove their ability to pay back the loan. In order to be approved by KIA, Lange suggested that water and sewer rates be increased beginning July 1, 2019. Lange suggested a 20 percent increase in water rates and a 10 percent increase in wastewater rates.

After discussion, the first reading of Ordinance # 2018-19-11 amending water rates and Ordinance # 2018-19-12 amending sewer rates were approved by a vote of 5-1 with the single no vote being cast by Councilmember Wayne Wilson.

Currently, a flat rate in-home water (2,000-gallon minimum) and sewer bill are $32. 31. If the second reading is approved, as of July 1, 2019, the flat rate water and sewer bill will increase to approximately $37.60.

In another item concerning the water, gas, and sewer department, three bids were received and opened for the purchase of a replacement gas truck. All three bids were received from Don Franklin of Columbia, KY. The award went to the bid of $31,496 on a 2019 F Series SD crew cab truck.

Farmers Market

On behalf of the Metcalfe County Farmers Market Ken Childers asked the council to join the Community Partners Program and donate $1,000 to assist the market in paying their portion of the government-sponsored voucher programs such as the Senior Nutrition, WIC, and SNAP Programs. Childers reported a 97 percent redemption rate for the USDA Senior Nutrition Program vouchers and that a grant has been submitted to Frankfort for a new market facility. The council unanimously approved the request to join the Community Partners Program.

Police Department

Chief Delaney Wilson reported a total of 207 runs for the department in April with 66 traffic stops, 70 complaints, 7 arrests, 22 citations, 3 animal calls, 6 warrants served, 8 domestic calls, 4 non-injury accidents, 5 new investigations, 3 incomplete 911 calls, 1 fight, 5 summons, 2 EPO’s, and 5 drug calls.

The ABC report was presented by Freddie Ray, who stated, “Everybody is in compliance.”

Also pertaining to new ABC legislation, Mayor Smith added, “As you know the Kentucky legislature enacted legislation allowing municipalities like the City of Edmonton to quality to receive regulatory license fees.” The council voted to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2918-19-13 which amends Ordinance 2016-17-02 amending the regulatory license fee to 5 percent.

Fire Department

A total of 23 runs was reported for April for the Edmonton Fire Department by Chief Jerry Clemmons. Those consisted of 17 medical, 1 field fire, 1 alarm, 1 tree down, and 3 special details.

Other Business

PRIDE Spring Cleanup is scheduled for May 21^st. The Metcalfe County High School senior class has volunteered to participate in the clean up again this year. Anyone who wants to volunteer can pick up gloves and garbage bags at city hall.

The update on the fire department building repairs has been postponed until the next meeting when more information will be available.