Cost for sewer connections in Cheney may go up

CHENEY – With plans to expand the city’s wastewater treatment plant, Cheney residents could be paying more for new sewer connections.

City Council members on Tuesday heard the first reading of an ordinance that could allow raising the current connection service charge fee of around $800 per single-family home to about $4,800.

“That is a huge increase,” Director of Public Works Don MacDonald told the council.

The rates have not been raised yet, and it could be a while before council takes official action.

“I’m only asking for a first reading of this ordinance,” MacDonald said. The council approved the motion and will hear the second reading of Ordinance U-34 at the next meeting, Feb. 26. The new law “will amend the current connection charge and includes the original construction and the upcoming expansion of the wastewater treatment plant,” the ordinance states.

In other business, the council approved a resolution recognizing an emergency and authorizing any costs involved in the recent snowstorm.

City Administrator Arlene Fisher noted that Mayor Allan Gainer has the power to declare an emergency, which he did on Jan. 27, and now the council needs to support the emergency declaration after the fact.

“We subsequently came out of it very, very well,” Fisher told the council.

Gainer agreed.

“All the departments were working together as a big team,” he said. “You guys all did a great job.”

Other council business discussed Tuesday night:

•Gainer read a proclamation declaring the week of Feb. 25 through March 3 as Peace Corps Week, to recognize the work volunteers have done all over the world since the program began in 1961.

•Gainer appointed local advocate Graeme Webster to the city’s Planning Commission to fill a vacancy.

•Fire Chief Mike Winters informed the council that the Cheney Fire Department has received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to pay for communications equipment for $73,738.

“We have to spend the money on radios and equipment,” Winters told the council.

In order to receive those funds, however, the city needed to approve $3,686 in matching funds to the department. Winters said the money had already been included in the Fire Department’s budget.

The council approved the funds.

•Fisher announced the city’s town hall meeting held Wednesday at the Wren Pierson Community Center 615 Fourth St.. Staff from all parts of the city will be available to answer questions.

The mayor said he wants to communicate more effectively with the public and plans to hold these meetings quarterly.

“It’s an opportunity to see what the citizens think about government,” Gainer said.