The monthly sewer service connection fee will increase this month in Holts Summit from $17.53 to $20.91.
At the same time, the sewer user fee will increase to $4.12 for each 1,000 gallons of water used by each residence.
Holts Summit City Administrator Brian Crane said a typical residence that used 1,400 gallons of water during the month would pay total monthly sewer charges of $25.03.
On April 1, 2014, the sewer user fee in Holts Summit is scheduled to increase to $4.53 per 1,000 gallons of water used each month. The new rates going into effect each April 1 through 2014 were approved in 2011 to meet current sewerage system needs.
Two years ago, Holts Summit voters also approved a $7 million bond issue, and the city is in the process of building a new sewage treatment plant.
During a meeting Monday night, the Holts Summit Board of Aldermen adopted a series of ordinances designed to bring the ordinances into compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture standards to qualify for low-interest bond sales to finance the new sewage treatment plant and improvements to the city's sewerage system.
Crane said the city also will negotiate with the town of Lake Mykee to allow Lake Mykee residents to connect to Holts Summit's sewerage system and use the new sewage treatment plant that Holts Summit will build.
Lake Mykee voters last week approved a $1.5 million bond issue to upgrade its sewerage system. State and federal regulators have told the town its current sewage treatment no longer complies with environmental standards. Lake Mykee wants to use the bond money to extend its sewer lines to connect with Holts Summit.
Holts Summit aldermen Monday night also authorized Mayor Lucas Fitzpatrick to enter into a contract with CenturyLink Sales Solutions for a hosted VoIP Internet service provided by the telephone company to the city. The mayor also was authorized to negotiate and upgrade phone service between three city hall and police station buildings, including a new building the city purchased recently just north of the current city hall.
Alderman Jason Michael asked the board to approve a resolution authorizing previously trained city employees - in addition to police officers - to carry concealed weapons while working at their city jobs.Â
Michael withdrew the motion after Holts Summit City Attorney Kent Brown raised liability issues. Brown said risks go up when a city ventures into untested legal territory. If the city wanted to go there, he advised aldermen to be sure the city is adequately covered by liability insurance.Â
Crane and Brown said they would seek more information about insurance coverage and other legal concerns.
Michael said he does not want the issue to die, and he intends to bring it back up later.
The aldermen also authorized competitive bids for concrete street improvements in various areas of the city.
Crane said the city wants to wait to assess winter damage of streets before seeking bids for asphalt street overlays later this summer.
The board also discussed authorizing placement of advertising signs on outfield fences of Case Field and Howard Field in Greenway Park.
Crane said some costs of maintaining the parks could be offset by permitting advertising signs.
"We would hope," Crane said, "to receive an extra $2,000 to $3,000 each year from the advertising signs to help with park maintenance costs."
During the citizens comment portion of the meeting, Holts Summit resident Ramona Huckstep asked the board to consider establishing a farmers market in the city.
Fitzpatrick said the city would agree to such a venture but it is up to other citizens to organize and operate a farmers market.
Mary Ann Pearre, representing the Holts Summit Optimist Club, informed the board that 26 teams involving 290 children have signed up for the club's T-ball and softball teams during the summer during competition at city parks.
"We still need sponsors costing $150 each," Pearre said. "We also need volunteer coaches."Â