By Steve Morris

The Rush City Council discussed a draft ordinance concerning clear water drainage at its meeting Aug. 13.

Council members Nic Malchow, Mic Louzek and Mayor Jim Ertz each expressed their desire to get the problem fixed and under control.

The issue facing the city is inflow, or the direct introduction of storm water into the sanitary sewer system.

Inflow causes a loss of capacity, wear on infrastructure, increased energy costs and opens the city to non-compliance fines.

City Administrator Amy Mell said cities in the metropolitan area have been fined for not meeting compliance with inflow regulations.

Under the draft ordinance, which was given to the council by their engineering firm, every person owning improved real estate in the city shall allow an employee of the city, or their designated representative, to inspect the buildings to confirm there is no sump pump or other prohibited discharge into the municipal sanitary sewer system.

Mell reminded the council it was only in draft form and they could change it how they like.

Mayor Ertz told the council he is convinced it is a major problem.

"This is something important and we need to get an ordinance in place," he said. "That is No. 1."

Rush City city engineer Barry Peters agreed, saying the city needs to have an ordinance with "some teeth in it."

In addition, the draft ordinance would make it illegal for any person to make or maintain a connection between any conductor used to carry clear water drainage and the municipal sanitary sewer system.

The city decided to hold a work session on Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. to work on the issue.

Louzek said the council has been working on this issue for months and he was ready to move forward.

Public Hearing

A public hearing was held on the vacation of Ave. C.

Olson Funeral Chapel wants Avenue C vacated to accommodate possible expansion. Horizon Milling is opposed to the vacation because it will hurt traffic flow in and out of their business.

Avenue C is a key access road into the plant for trucks picking up loads.

"The elimination of the access road would have an immediate negative impact on that portion of our business that is destined to expand," wrote Mike Ginal, the facility manger of Horizon Mill, in a letter to the city.

Gary Olson, manager of the facility, said at the public hearing that between eight and 25 trucks use the mill every week and travel on Avenue C.

On the truck drivers, Louzek said, "I don't blame them, if I were a truck driver I would go out the exact same way." However, it was also indicated by the council that Avenue C is not rated for the heavy loads.

Major Ertz said he wants the two businesses to work something out together.

At the end of the pubic hearing, the council tabled the issue for the future.

In other business, the city council:

• Approved the Rush City Sno Bugs to have a gambling license at the Rush City Music Festival.

• Will advertise locally for a part-time animal control person. Mell explained to the council how other cities around the area handle their animal control issues.

• Approved resolution 2007-20, granting conditional approval of a minor subdivision for the property located on 240 W. 4th. St.

• Approved the cities bills and claims of $548,194.

• Will contact Katie Mattson of North Branch to see if she could do part-time financial work for the city, at a pay rate of $36 an hour.

• Informed Denise Kurilla, of 700 W. 12th St., they would get back to her at a later date concerning her request that the city reimburse her for water usage, prior to her attaining a sprinkler meter. Mell explained to her the city has not reimbursed people before, but she would look into her request further.

• Listened to a review from Mell on the progress of the Economic Development Authority. She said the EDA recently elected board members and approved bylaws.

• Agreed to pay members of the EDA $25 per meeting and to pay them mileage at the federal rate.