Council shelves plan for fee to end water runoff

By D.a. Wilkinson

COLUMBIANA — Council has tabled the planned collection of a fee that would help pay for preliminary engineering to help end the city’s stormwater-runoff problems.

Council previously had approved the first of two readings needed for passage.

But during discussion of the issue Tuesday, the lawmakers agreed to table the issue until Councilwoman Pat Keylor, who was absent, was available.

That would move a full council vote into December.

City Manager Keith Chamberlin has said the fee would help generate about $150,000.

The fee would be $5.81 a month per home.

Reaction to the fee was negative.

Dick Snyder told council, “I don’t think it’s fair that every resident has to pay it.”

Another man said he did not have city utilities.

“Why should I pay for it?” he asked council.

Chamberlin said the collection would assess some properties differently “to make this fair.”

Some properties would be charged as if they were homes. For example, an apartment complex with three floors would be assessed as if it were a one-floor building, since the flooding would not affect the higher apartments.

But another man said, “With the state of the economy, home foreclosures, businesses closing and the cost of food and fuel, we think council is insensitive to the public. I just don’t know what the hurry is.”

Councilman James King urged his colleagues to “let the community have its say on who wants this.” Chamberlin said the city has been talking with the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides funds for stormwater projects. His most recent estimate was to get an $8.5 million or $9 million loan to fund the project.

Councilman Bob Bieshelt asked about the city’s regular funding for capital improvements for the rest of this year. He said he hoped the city would have at least a $100,000 carryover into 2010 that could be used to help fund the planning for the stormwater project.

wilkinson@vindy.com