Sandborn Town Council has a busy meeting

The council voted unanimously to accept the OCRA agreement for the storm water drainage grant of more than $9,800.

However, questions were posed to SIDC representative Matt Sword from resident Fred Roberts, who is part of the five-person evaluating committee, asking if a citizen could be appointed to represent the town during the project.

Sword answered saying that SIDC would work with the engineers.

"That's not what was decided (during the evaluation meeting)," noted Roberts. "It was decided that a Sandborn representative would meet with contractors if there were problems during the project."

Sword said, "If there is a problem, we want to know about it, and we will work with all parties."

The contract with Midwest Engineers for the drainage project was tabled until the October meeting in order to reword the contract regarding overtime payments to the engineers.

Clerk-Treasurer Judi Hartsburg announced that the water planning grant had been submitted.

Continuing with business, the council passed the 2010 salary ordinance, which has no changes from the 2009 ordinance except the allowance for a town marshal.

Hartsburg read the proposed water rate, which would increase the rate from a minimum rate of 8.40 per thousand gallons to $12.40 with a minimum bill of $31.

Hartsburg explained that the water department borrowed $10,000 from the town that had to be repaid by June 2010; plus one of the wells needed to be cleaned, which would cost $8,000.

After much discussion and many suggestions including implementing a debt tax on water bills until the debt was paid and taking part of the wage paid to Cliff Pemberton, Jr. from the sewer account, Hartsburg asked for a vote for three different water increases: an increase for a minimum of $26, a minimum increase of $28.50 and a minimum of $31.

Each councilman voted for a different increase. Jerry Bowman voted for the $26 minimum, Russell Walls opted for an increased minimum of $28.50, and Council President Jon McKee voted for the $31 minimum.

The discussion for a water rate increase was tabled until the October meeting, which would allow time for councilmen to discuss the situation with their constituents.

Hartsburg said she would also call Dunbar and Associates and ask if the town could charge the sewer department for meters and for reading the meters, which would generate extra money for the water department.

In his report from the Knox County Water Department, Councilman Bowman said he learned that Knox County could not pipe water to Sandborn due to the size of the pipes.

However, a representative from Knox County said the county would be interested in buying all of Sandborn's equipment and operating the water department. There was also assurance that Water Superintendent Cliff Pemberton, Sr. would remain in his position. The charge of water from Knox County would amount to $14.64 for 2,000 gallons.

The next item on the agenda was the question of paying Cliff Pemberton, Sr. overtime pay.

Hartsburg explained that for the past two years Pemberton had opted to take the extra hours in comp time instead of salary.

However, she said two weeks ago Pemberton asked that the verbal agreement be rescinded and that he be paid $1,921.60 in overtime wages.

McKee said he was in agreement of paying Pemberton the overtime amount; however, he said he had a problem with a town employee being on salary and also hourly.

It was explained that Pemberton was on salary, but during the sewer project he worked many extra hours, many times during the evening, to help people clean property.

The vote to reimburse the overtime pay to Pemberton was 2-1 with Bowman voting against the request.

"We need to have a contract for all town employees," noted McKee, "so everyone (employee) has the same type. It would protect the town to keep this from happening again. We should also have an evaluation report for each employee."

Councilman Wells reported he had received concerns from constituents regarding the suggested solar system for the town and asked if belligerent citizens could be removed from town meetings.

All councilmen agree on the third request of a Ward meeting prior to town hall meetings to listen to suggestions and requests of constituents on common ground.

Walls also gave each councilman a guideline that he found on the Internet for town council meetings.

Hartsburg noted that she would gladly open the town hall for Ward meetings and post the time and date.

Gladys Pemberton, acting park board president, reported that the Back to School party was a huge success. Shoes, socks, under clothes and school supplies were distributed to children as well as some other clothing.

In upcoming events, she said the park board is having a flea market in October and would have a children's coat drive in November.

Pemberton also said two more people are needed on the park board to help with special events and the concession stands at the ball park need cabinets.

"I applaud the park board for all of their work," noted Walls.

Cliff Pemberton, Jr. reported on street repair and announced that the sewer flow for August was 551,800 gallons.