RANIER — The Ranier City Council meeting seemed to have a theme Monday night — water.
Frank Pavek who had previously asked the council for water hook-up to the property he owns on County Road 20 known as Clark’s Park brought documentation about the request to Monday’s meeting, as asked by Mayor Ed Oerichbauer.
Included in that documentation was a detailed map showing the existing water line, as well as several pictures showing the property line and where he wants the water line installed on the property.
Teddy Pearson, Ranier’s maintenance worker, accompanied Pavek and explained that the water line would run approximately 130 feet from the existing line to a curb stand on Pavek’s property.
Upon reviewing what Pavek had presented, the council raised a few questions and concerns about the installation of the water line, especially avoiding a run in with a nearby sewer line.
Pearson reassured that the plan they have in mind would miss the sewer line.
Another question raised by Trustee Fred Woods caused temporary confusion between the two parties.
“Who picks up the tab on the whole works?” Woods asked.
“I would take care of my part and hopefully Ranier would take care of the rest or we could work something out that would work for both of us,” Pavek explained.
“I was under the impression that you’d be responsible for the cost of the beginning to the end,” Woods said.
“He pays for the entire project,” said City Clerk Kim Nuthak. “Once the project is completed, Ranier assumes responsibility of maintenance and repair of the lines after that. It doesn’t cost the city of Ranier anything. He pays $1,000 for the hook-up fee and then he will pay for Shannon's Plumbing and Heating to put the line in.”
“That is what I meant,” Pavek said. “I misunderstood the original question.”
Trustee John Walls said he didn’t see a problem with Pavek’s request as long as he paid for everything and had Shannon's install it.
However, Trustee Dan Klocek had even more concerns.
“We had a property owner on the south side of the road request hook-up from those lines and we denied it,” he said. “That should be considered before we make a decision.”
“Well, you were going under highway there,” Pavek said.
“This request is totally different than the request we rejected,” Mayor Oerichbauer said.
After a lengthy discussion, the council approved Pavek’s request. He said he would keep the council updated on the progression of the project he hopes to complete this year.
Prior to adjournment of the meeting, Edna Doris spoke during the open forum on behalf of the area “snowbirds.”
Doris, who resides in the Jameson addition, said that she and her husband, as well as several of their neighbors, only spend six months in the area. The rest of the time they live in Arizona.
She asked that, because she uses hot water heat and cannot shut off her water in the winter, the council offer her relief from her water bill while she is away.
“We use very few gallons of water while we are away,” she said.
“Her bill is $15.41 per month during the winter,” Nuthak said.
“We would be happy with whatever the council could offer us,” Doris said.
Mayor Oerichbauer said that because the council is unsure of how many people are in the same situation, the council would discuss the issue at the next water committee meeting.
