City council hears request for sewer service
Peggy Unruh addressed the Peabody City Council Monday night requesting the installation of sewer service to the lots the Unruhs own on 60th Street south of Peabody.
She stated that she and her husband Jim intend to develop the area. They plan to build from one to four new homes there in the future. Unruh said that at least one home would be built in the next 18 months.
The city of Peabody will be upgrading the sewer system soon with money from Rural Development and a Community Development Block Grant. While the system is being upgraded and expanded, the Unruhs would like to have the 60th Street property included in the plans. The property lies within the city limits.
Councilman Randy Dallke asked what kind of guarantee the Unruhs would be willing to offer that the houses would be built, and what the time frame would be.
After discussion, Unruh indicated that they would be willing to enter into an arrangement backed by a contract or bond if an agreement could be reached.
Rosemary Saunders, representing Reiss and Goodness engineers, the firm implementing the city's new sewer project, was present to address the council on another matter, but was asked by the mayor for input.
Saunders said that Rural Development and CDBG will not expand a project based on plans for future development of an area. She said that if the houses had already been built on the Unruh's land, including them would not be a problem.
On a motion by Tom Schmidt, the council voted to have city engineer Al Reiss work with the Unruhs and access their needs, then present a report to the council on the difference in the cost of the project with the Unruh property added. The council will make a decision after hearing from Reiss about the cost.
Hank Yoder of Stutzman Refuse Disposal offered the council updated information concerning trash options for the city and the recycling service. No action was taken.
Saunders presented an update on the progress of the city's sewer project and presented the council with the names of prospective CDBG project administrators. The candidates are Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff and Massey Consulting. The council tabled a decision on the selection until members could review the information Saunders presented.
In other business the council
— voted to allow county sanitarian David Brazil to issue sewer permits to Kenny Rogers and Paul Partridge. Yoder abstained.
— voted 4-1 to allow Officer Bruce Burke to drive a patrol car to and from his home rather than his personal vehicle. Dallke voted against the motion.
— approved an Aug. 12, 2002, budget hearing.
— adopted the Uniform Public Offense code and the Standard Traffic Offense code. The codes are adopted annually.
— heard a complaint from Ed Slocombe about the brush and tree growth on 9th Street covering traffic signs.
— instructed city workers to cut weeds and pick up the trash in the ditch in the 400 block between Olive and Vine streets.
— heard that the attorney general had approved the Revitalization Plan for Peabody.
— approved a plan by Schmidt to have youngsters doing community service paint the playground equipment at the city park.
— granted permission to Morgan Marshall and Shane Marler to use the Santa Fe Park on Sept. 14 for their wedding ceremony.
The council tabled decisions on the purchase of a new police car, utilities to the industrial park, and painting the city building trim.
Councilman Gard proposed a program to work on the alleys in the city, but no action was taken.
