Second reading for Kalona utility ordinance draws opposition

By Mary Zielinski
The second reading Monday for the Kalona ordinance to establish a Storm Water Drainage Utility drew criticism from resident Greg Van Egdon that it was just another form of taxation that residents “have no right to vote on it.”
The ordinance calls for a $3 monthly utility fee that would be added to the current monthly water/sewer and recycling bill.
Van Egdon said that the council could call the $3 a fee, “but it is nothing more than a tax. Are you afraid to call it a tax?”
Council member Ken Herington explained the fee system was the “fairest” approach, that all users would pay the same. Van Egdon objected, that obviously some users, such as commercial businesses, ran far more through the system.
Van Egdon also said that the city did not provide information or publication of the ordinance, suggesting there were secret meetings.
Herington said, “There were no secret meetings,” that the finance committee and council sessions are all open meetings. The ordinance is not published, as a legal, until it is passed.
Van Egdon added that Kalona’s property tax already is “so high,” that it compares to Iowa City. He also indicated that few residents knew about the ordinance.
Council members Claudine Miller-Zahradnek, Steve Lafaurie and Herington said they had many phone calls about it and met with people on the street. They indicated that most thought the fee was fair and wanted to know if it was sufficient to maintain the system.
The ordinance, in essence, provides for building, operating and maintaining storm water facilities and initially would raise more than $40,000. Funds will go to a special fund used only for the storm water management.
Van Egdon countered that it is fixing a downtown problem with fees from the taxpayers.
Following some further comments, the council passed the second reading and will hold the third reading (and passage) at the August 23 meeting.
In regard to the downtown revitalization, of which the storm sewers are a part, the council approved a change order increasing costs by $17,525.90, specifically for storm sewer work on 4th street. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh noted it changes the total project cost to $2,664,147.
In other business, the council:

• unanimously approved a resolution for the $108,000 Vision Iowa grant agreement, which is part of the funding for the $2.8 million downtown revitalization project;
• approved Payment No. 3, $105,455.36, to All American Concrete;
• were told by Schlabaugh that he met with engineer Jack Pope regarding the Harvest Hill subdivision retention basin and that Pope called the basin’s condition “acceptable” and that it could handle a 60 acre subdivision, meaning it would handle further development to the north. Schlabaugh said there would be more information later and that he wanted to keep the issue on the agenda for a while yet;
• learned that the water erosion at Key Estates Subdivision, also a storm water drainage issue, may be more involved with Kreekside Subdivision. There will be an attorney’s opinion in the issue and Schlabaugh also wanted the matter retained for future agendas;
• learned that the Cal Ripkin tournament was a success and that there were 88 players in it with the city providing lodging for 48 of them;
• learned that repairs have been made on 6th Street north of Highway 22, near Casey’s;
• learned that the council seat, filled by Mark Robe via appointment, will have to be on the November election ballot. Nomination papers for the position must be in the city clerk’s office by 4:30 p.m. August 25;
• agreed to have a stop sign at 6th Street and N Avenue to slow speeding traffic. Cars have been clocked at 50 mph in what should be 25 mph. The ordinance will be on the August 23 agenda;
• approved library board recommendations of Dan Ehl (replacing Jane Rushing) and reappointing Jean Hussey. Both terms end June 30, 2016; and
• learned that an American and an Iowa flag have been ordered for the new council chamber and there are plans to have a quilt hung on the north wall of the meeting room.