(Milford)– The Milford city council Monday approved the second reading of a proposed ordinance that would form a storm water district in the city. It would allow the city to collect a monthly fee for drainage based in part on lot size. For the average homeowner and small-size commercial property, it would amount to about $3 a month.
A public hearing on the proposed ordinance drew a request from the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District to be excluded. Glen Petersen, Superintendent of the district, told the council their property is in a low-lying area and that drainage actually flows toward them.
Representatives from the former Klaussner property, which is now being leased to Polaris Industries, requested a similar exemption for them, saying all the drainage in that area heads into a creek…not the city’s storm sewer system. Steve Abbott told the council the additional monthly fee could force their tennant, Polaris Industries, out of town, costing the city a number of jobs…(click here for comment from Abbott…)
Another man who spoke, Steve Anderson, urged the council to slow down and to address some concerns he has. Anderson said the city should not be drawing money out of the district to pay for projects when the district hasn’t even been officially formed yet. He was referring to plans by the city to pay for a portion of the bonds for the 6th Street project from the Storm Water Utility District. Anderson added the city of Milford will also have to be more conscious than ever in making sure water quality is protected while projects are underway…(click here for comment from Anderson.).
Following the hearing, the council voted 5-0 to approve the second reading. Another motion directing the City Attorney to look into the propriety of granting exemptions to the Storm Water Utility District also was approved unanimously.
The proposed ordinance is now headed for a third reading prior to adoption.
Mill Creek south of Milford
