Cloverdale council approves new utility rate

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Storm Water Board and the Cloverdale Town Council met for a special meeting on Tuesday evening to proceed with a new ordinance, which will enact a storm water utility rate.

This new rate was deemed necessary to increase the town's chances of receiving a $500,000 storm water grant.

The Storm Water Board had previously authorized both the Town Attorney Allan Yackey and financial adviser Steve Brock to proceed with a utility rate study in order to make a recommendation on what the storm water utility rate should be in order to create a budget for the board to make ongoing improvements.

Brock came before the board during its last meeting on April 8 and presented a variety of options. However, the board ultimately chose to go with the lowest rate of $1 for residential properties and $2 for non-residential.

Following the Storm Water Board meeting, a public hearing was also held to move the new ordinance forward, prior to the meeting of the town council.

Receiving little feedback from the community, the public hearing closed along with the Storm Water Board meeting and the Town Council convened to approve the recommendation from the Storm Water Board as well as introduce the rates during a second reading and suspend rules to adopt the new storm water rates.

"We're trying to start out slow and get things going," Vice President Dennis Padgett said.

The Town Council unanimously approved the new rates as well as suspending the rules and adopting the new rates through Ordinance 2014-15. With that approval,

the new rate will go into effect starting July 2014.

The council also discussed several other issues including adding a fee for service for road and right of way cuts, tampering with water meters as well as the discarding of trash.

Superintendent of Public Works Chuck Knuff had previously proposed that the council create an ordinance, which would require those having to make cuts in the roadway pay a $75 fee. That fee would also include two inspections. Any additional inspections would require the payment of an additional $25 fee per inspection.

The council approved to pass Ordinance 2014-7, which will supersede and replace any rule regulation or ordinance that conflicts with its provisions.

Following recent issues with residents discarding trash and waste in unauthorized areas, the council also approved Ordinance 2014-8, which will fine those found in violation.

As stated in the ordinance, one shall be fined $25 for the first violation and $50 for the second violation in the same year. Persons are also subject to a $350 fine if they are found dumping a significant amount of trash or waste.

Also, discussed was the issue of those found tampering with water meters. Galloway had previously come before the board looking for guidance in regard to either purchasing new meters or enacting a fine on those found in violation.

After little discussion, the council chose to approve Ordinance 2014-7 and move forward with enacting a $250 fine for a first offense. Those found to be in violation following the fine will also be subject to criminal investigation.

In other business:

* The Town Council also introduced Ordinance 2014-10, which amends town code to clarify permit requirements, fees and charges.

* The Town Council introduced Ordinance 2014-11, which amends the town code to clarify permit requirements for demolition from a two-year permit to a six-month permit.

* The Town Council introduced Ordinance 2014-12, which amends the town code to provide a fine consistent with modern regulation. The ordinance was deemed necessary as the fines had previously been set in 1891 and had not been changed since.