City council is planning to hold a workshop with Woodland Drive residents to discuss options around water and sewer and the possibility of the 49 homes there being hooked up to the city system.
Over the last three years the number of complaints from some of the residents about limited access to water has been building momentum. Some receive as little as 40 gallons of water a day, while others have put in cisterns and are buying water.
As a result city staff have presented a number of options for council and residents to consider.
“We cannot make the decision alone. We have to have Woodland residents involved with the decision,” said Coun. Surinderpal Rathor.
The options were first presented at the Feb. 14 committee of the whole meeting, where some residents of Woodland Drive were present.
“When I spoke to them after they were happy that the decision was made to bring the discussion back. I’m really looking forward to having the dialogue because it is not a $100,000 item involved,” Rathor said, adding the dialogue will look at what portion residents might pay and what portion the city might pay for.
Coun. Sue Zacharias asked that council and staff keep an open mind during the discussion, leaving emotions at bay as they move along in the process. “It really does have to be a resident-driven solution and if the city is able to help in some way, pay for a small part, it may have to go to a referendum. The residents of the city will have to vote if they want to help pay for sewer and water,” Zacharais suggested.
One of the options could see just water services because many residents told Zacharias they have good sewer systems. “It could be just a water issue for now,” she said, adding the process has to be fair and maybe it will be a piece-by-piece solution.
Coun. Laurie Walters said staff has presented eight good options for discussion and the workshop with the residents will take it to the next level. “I understand what you’re saying about not getting bogged down by emotions, but in talking with residents I have to say this has been going on for a long time, but it’s time to move forward and make decisions,” said Walters, adding she doesn’t want to see it delayed any further.