Three homeowners, some who have spent in excess of $7,000 to repair leaks not on their property but deep below city streets asked the council to rethink the burden the ordinance places on taxpayers.
Bob Koonce, Bill Rayburn and Clifford Smith have all hired contractors to dig out the sewer lines which located parallel under the street instead of in the right of ways. Several years ago, Kate Gilbert also came to the council to ask for help from the city to repair a sewer leak, deep under Roca Street.
“I have a hard time understanding why the city council places this kind of responsibility on the homeowner,” Koonce said. “This doesn’t happen any other place. Does the council approve of this ordinance?”
None of the council members defended the ordinance that has been in place for decades. Council member Karen Watts said she recently split fees with a neighbor to put in a water line to her property.
“I don’t think the city has the kind of equipment it takes to dig that far down,” she said.
The council will have a workshop before the next meeting in two weeks to review the ordinance and consider revising it.
The council also approved a tax abatement for the First National Bank of Woodsboro which recently constructed a new $393,000 branch in Refugio. The tax abatements on new construction are part of an economic development incentive program.
The council also approved the interim Police Chief Fernando Garcia’s request to purchase the first of three vehicles funded by Operation Stone Garden. The police department has been approved for $185,000 to spend on vehicles and officer’s overtime in connection with the program. Of that amount, $63,000 was designated for vehicles. The city will be reimbursed the full $185,000 by federal government.
At the request of council member Garrett Engelking, the council also approved a policy whereby the police department will not accept cash for anything other than police reports. Other transactions will be made through the city offices. The council also requested that budget and expenditures to the drug fund be made available to the city.
In other matters, the council designated March 1 as the beginning of a new clean-up program designated “Ready, Set, Mow.” The council will begin searching for an inspector who will look at properties that are not being maintained according to code, including upkeep of yards and buildings, abandoned vehicles or other noncompliance.
The council also approved a request to conduct a commemorative march down Commerce Street from city hall to Union Baptist Church on Monday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, which is a national holiday.
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