City raises rural water rates and golf course fees
By Russ Morgan (Contact)
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Emporia city commission had a packed agenda for its meeting Wednesday night, taking action on a number of items.
The city adopted an ordinance increasing rural water rates by 10.5 percent, or 23 cents per 1,000 gallons. This follows an an earlier increase in city water rates by the same amount. The rates will take effect Dec. 1.
The city also approved a resolution to raise greens fees at the municipal golf course. As of Jan. 1, Monday through Thursday rates will go from $17 to $18 for regular rates, from $16 to $17 for seniors and from $9 to $9.50 for juniors; twilight rates will go from $13 to $14; and Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday rates will be $9.50 for juniors, $14 for twilight rates, and will go from $19 to $20 for regular rates. Trail fees, annual fees and other fees also have been adjusted.
Commissioners also granted Westar Energy a conditional use permit to add a fourth transformer at its substation at 200 S. East St. This decision comes after considerable debate between Westar and several nearby residents, who were concerned about noise from the substation. The commission approved the permit 5-0, noting that while it understood the neighbors’ concerns, the substation powers a considerable portion of Emporia and is necessary for the city.
The city also approved a contract for $28,970 with Emporia Construction and Remodeling to mud-jack the floor at the Animal Shelter to help with the building’s foundation problems. A contract also was approved with Geo. Groh & Sons for roof repairs at the Lyon County Historical Society, 118 E. 6th Ave., for $19,140.
Commissioners also approved amendments to the Alarm Systems Ordinance to decrease the number of false alarms. The fines are on a sliding scale, with the first three free, $100 for the fourth, $200 for the fifth, $300 for the sixth (with a requirement that the vendor certify the system is working properly), $400 for the seventh and $500 for any more false alarms in a calendar year. The annual alarm fee permit will increase from $25 to $35.
environmentaltech (anonymous) says...
It is criminal what the city is doing to the citizens living in close proximity of the substation. There is mountains of science proving the Health hazards of living near ELF/ EMF. The plant should be moved or the plant is responsible for relocation the residents in the community surrounding the plant. The plant should not be in a residential area. Stay voltage, transients, and dirty power are being distributed by
power plants because of the the outdated equipment. So living right next to one is like a double whammy. The residents should form a group and file a class action suit. I feel sorry for the children growing up near there. The adults, as well as the children are at such risk of degenerative diseases. This Utility company is irresponsible and the greed is overriding their moral compass.
Why isn't there any Regulatory Agency standing up for the Health of the Public? This is not right. Now the RF invasion from all the mobile communication that is grounded and bonded to the Utility neutral is adding to the pollution by acoustical noise in the outside air, as well as travelling in to homes and buildings through the Utility company's neutral wire; that is also a health hazard. There are websites that have plenty of reference material supporting this science proving that this technology needs to have proper regulations,
limits and oversight. There is none! See www.emrpolicyinstitute.org, www.electricpollution.com, www.microwavenews.com, www.emfacts.com, www.radiowaves.com.
November 22, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
environmentaltech (anonymous) says...
I would like to correct a couple websites I misspelled
and they are www.emrpolicy.org and www.electrialpollution.com
I hope people do their homework. We have a personal responsibility to take care of ourselves, our children and our wildlife. It is obvious the Gov't and Big Business are
on the same team.
November 22, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
environmentaltech (anonymous) says...
OOOPS, typing is not my forte. www.electricalpollution.com
There!
November 22, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wyse_guy (anonymous) says...
Does anyone know what the $1.00 FS charge on the waterbill the last few months is for? It is not listed on the back of the bill with explanation of utility codes.
November 23, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
wyse_guy
Normaly FS would stand for fuel surcharge. Myabe it is the extra amount for deisel fuel on the Hamns trucks hauling off our garbage . I always said Emporia should have built an incinarator plant for the dump and used the heat provided for energy production.
November 23, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sorry for my spelling.
November 23, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Golf fee.excessive for sometime players. I will quit and there goes $550 plus dollars fron city kitty. I have been an annual for over 20 years ($8,000+)
November 23, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
admireed.
what is Really Excessive is that my tax dollars go to support a golf course I do not use period!
The people who play there should pay to play
When I go to the movies , I pay
When I go fishing, I pay
When I go for a bike ride,I pay
You dont pay for my entertainment or do you, why should I pay for yours? JMO
November 23, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
You hit the proverbial nail on the head there life.
November 24, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
My understanding is the generating station has been there since the early 1930's. I would assume very few of the current residents were there before the station was built. I question the validity of the information provided but even if it is correct, why move in an area where you are concerned about such issues? I live near a generating station without any damage to my home which is about 50 years old. My neighbors raised kids in the area with no ill effects as all of them are now in their late 40's.
November 24, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TacoBellB (anonymous) says...
So rates go up $.50 or a $1.00 and that is going to stop a lifetime golfer? Really?
Life, we probably all pay, to an extent, for each other's entertainment - the pool, the parks, etc. I might not use those, but other people do utilize them, and my tax dollars are going to pay for them also. It's all part of trying to offer a nice place to live.
November 24, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
TacoBellB, you are correct, my problem is my tax dollars going to pay for some Adult who makes 50k a year to play golf while the city builds a 200 sq ft skate board park for the kids who have no money. its good to have a nice place to live, but the ones who seem to get the most benefit are the ones who need it the least.
November 24, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )