The Jefferson Street/Sewer/Sanitation/Water committees met earlier this week in regular session.

The meeting started with a continued discussion about the parking situation on Wilcox Street. Parking continues to be an issue, even after the City Council passed an ordinance to allow parking on the north and south sides for the corresponding odd or even day. A homeowner commented that he didn’t like the odd and even approach, but would rather have parking only on one side permanently. Police Chief Mark Clouse mentioned he would get public meeting notices sent to all homeowners on that street for a discussion at the committee’s October meeting. 

The street committee then held a discussion on the driveway curb cut out width. An issue was brought up last month by resident John Hamilton because he wanted to have a 42-foot curb cut for a new three-vehicle garage in Briarwood Estates. However, the City only allows for 24-foot. Building Official Nick Sorensen presented information from the Iowa Association of Builders to see how other cities are handling the issue. Council member Dave Sloan had a concern that if they allowed for all properties in Briarwood to be 42-feet, would that cause the City’s storm sewer to be at more than capacity when it rains. Sorsenson thought three-vehicle garages would be typical in the future. The committee decided to continue reviewing the topic and will look into the storm sewer capacity. 

The street committee decided not to move forward with a request to create a crosswalk on Lincoln Way to the Greene County Courthouse. The decision was made, due to the cost of having to make the crosswalk Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and it was mentioned that there was eight-foot footings already under the sidewalk by the courthouse.

The water committee agreed to allow for a $1,600 purchase of the water salesman for people to purchase water from the City. It is a payment system that is a stand-alone unit. Payment would come from the water plant maintenance fund. Finally, after a long discussion, the water and sewer committees agreed to recommend the City Council to increase the water and sewer rates each by three-percent.