City sends Alliant Energy resolution against rate increase

Jun 19, 2009 (Daily Iowegian - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- LNT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Centerville City Council passed a resolution during their Monday meeting declaring its opposition to Alliant Energy's request to the Iowa Utilities Board to increase electric rates.

The resolution reads, in part, "any rate increase at such a dire time in our economy would adversely affect our citizens on a fixed lower-income; and...any rate increase at this time would stifle large and small businesses growth during a time when growth is so desperately needed."

Alliant Energy has requested the Iowa Utilities Board approve a 17 percent electrical rate increase. The city paid Alliant Energy nearly $12,600 for electricity and gas services, with nearly $8,000 for street lights, for an one month period ending June 15.

In other action, the council will hold public hearings during their July 6 meeting to consider amending the municipal code dealing with parking regulations and vendor licenses. A third hearing is planned for the Community Development Block Grant storm sewer improvements grant application.

If the amended ordinance dealing with parking regulations is passed, it would read: "It is unlawful to stop, stand or park any freight-carrying motor vehicle, or any passenger-carrying motor vehicle of any description which is over six feet in width or over fourteen feet in length, except by special permit or unless the vehicle is stopped temporarily for loading or unloading purposes. This includes any trailer, camper, motor home, boat trailer and/or any other type of trailer. This provision does not apply to a private family motor vehicle."

Key changes amending the peddler's license ordinance includes a $50 per year fee for Centerville residents, a $100 per year fee for Appanoose County residents and a $50 per 24-hour period fee for any others for the right to purchase said license. A peddler license, if approved, will be defined as, "Any person who sells or trades any agricultural product, fruit, vegetables, goods, wares, commodities, merchandise or other things of value from house to house, door to door or in public areas or at road side stands, or who takes orders for goods, either for present or future delivery, or sold on installments."

The section dealing with transient merchants would exempt those who participate in city sanctioned events like the Farmer's Market and Pancake Day.

Rollie Reznicek approached the council to discuss the city's recreation department involvement in a summer youth program to be held from June 22 to July 17. The council voted 5-0 to approve the plan.

Reznicek told the council Appanoose All-Play would cover the entire estimated cost of $12,000 for the four-week program and the city would not have any new liability issues. The Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon camp would be held at Centerville Park Youth Center. The cost would be $25 per child for the four weeks.

The council decided to pursue the ordinance further dealing with city services provided to residents living outside the city limits. The change the city has proposed adding to the ordinance is to require anyone who connects to the city sewer to "agree to voluntarily annex within three years."

Council member Mike Zintz declared the change would not apply to those who are already connected because they would be grandfathered in. It would only apply to new city sewer connections.

The council tabled the agenda item to discuss having a bike trail on Haynes Avenue and passed 5-0 to allow ITT Corporation to construct a 55-foot surveillance and broadcast services tower at no cost to the city at the airport.

And the council will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 to approve year-end bills.

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