Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home City Council approved an increase in the wastewater rate last week.
During its regular meeting on July 10, the council raised the residential rate to $7.66 per hundred cubic feet from $5.82, a 31.6-percent increase, and the base charge to $28 from $26.89, a 4.1 percent increase. The first 400 cubic feet of sewer service is included in the base charge.
The council accepted the recommendation of Public Works Director Mike Adams in April. Last week’s action adopted a resolution to officially set the new rate, effective July 16.
The council rejected a recommendation in April to increase the water rate.
The increase will raise approximately $1.99 million, Adams said. The rate is calculated to cover the cost of a year of wastewater operations, Adams said.
Included in the calculation of the rate is the annual loan payment of $1.08 million for recently completed sewer repair projects, Adams said.
“Due to the city’s utility billing program, the rates identified within the resolution will begin being reflected on the billing received the first of the month in September,” Adams said.
Voting for the increase were Mayor Craig Fentiman, Jim Gourley, Greg Mahler and Scott McKee Jr. Absent were Marybeth Angulo, Mike Hall and Ron Rodgers.
In other business, the council:
n Approved a package of requests for the Oregon Jamboree, scheduled for Aug. 3 to Aug. 5.
Sankey Park will be closed from 6 a.m. Friday, July 27, to 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6.
Parts of 14th and 18th avenues will be closed and designated as disabled parking only, with 18th Avenue completely shut off between Long and Grape streets at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the direction of the police chief.
The council waived peddler’s license requirements, the event fee and fees for water service and consumption along with some employee service fees.
The council granted a public address permit for the Main Stage, the Spirit Mountain Casino Stage at Sankey Park and the Safeway parking lot.
The council granted permission to use city property for beer gardens and recommended approval of the Jamboree’s liquor license and to use the property adjacent to the Police Department and the Event Center, 4000 Long Str., as additional campgrounds.
The council agreed that the city would provide general assistance.
The council agreed to allow semi truck and equipment storage at the Public Works maintenance facility off 24th Avenue.
The Police Department, primarily due to reduced staffing levels, will cut back its presence inside the Jamboree grounds, said Police Chief Bob Burford. This will likely manifest itself by officers on foot covering not only the Jamboree grounds but also the surrounding campgrounds.
The Jamboree will backfill for this reduction using certified private security personnel, Burford said.