Water rates increase, ordinances discussed at Ronan City Council meeting
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RONAN – The City of Ronan is under a state order from the Department of Environmental Quality to develop the town’s water system to meet new regulations, and the project will increase water bills for users by $5.72 each month to help cover the cost of construction if the board makes a final vote to pass the measure.
On April 17, the council adopted a resolution stating they intend to go ahead with the project, but first, they would like to hear from the public. The council will conduct a public hearing on the proposed water rate increase at the city office at 6 p.m. on May 15. Comments can be made at the hearing or sent in writing to the office at 207 Main St., Suit A, Ronan, MT, 59864.
The water project improvements include the addition of a filtration system to the water treatment plant. Twenty-five feet of additional space will also be added to the existing water facility to accommodate the system.
The first phase of the project was completed in 2013. It included an ultra violet water treatment program with chlorine residual. The next phase of the project was to secure funding through loans and forgiveness loans totaling about $1 million. In 2016, the design phase began with project engineer Shari Johnson, which is where the project is currently.
Mayor Kim Aipperspach stated at the city council meeting on Monday that the town’s water is clean, but the compliance order requires the town to upgrade the system. He said the town is working to do the project as “cost effective” as possible.
In other news, Ronan Police Chief Ken Weaver is tasked with developing a few proposed city ordinances along with the city attorney to help improve the town’s appearance. One ordinance concerning rules about community upkeep is being rewritten, and two more ordinances about parking and abandoned vehicles are being developed.
The council will continue to discuss those issues during future meetings until a resolution is voted on. “We have a basic foundation for where we want to go,” Chief Weaver said.
The community upkeep ordinance is defined as anything concerning a “public nuisance” that hinders the use of property or the enjoyment of it. Public safety is another concern. Some council members commented that an upkeep ordinance could promote economic development within the community.
The cleanup ordinance is geared towards the removal of abandoned, wrecked or junked cars. Hazardous storage is in the ordinance, which includes unkept containers that could attract a child to maybe climb in and become trapped. Dangerous and decaying structures would also need to be removed.
As far as parking, inoperable vehicles will be prohibited from parking in the same spot after five consecutive days if the board adopts the new ordinance. The parking of many types of operable vehicles and trailers including buses, campers, and recreational vehicles will not be allowed in the front yard, although parking is allowed on the side or rear yard. Sleeping in recreational vehicles for more than five days in one spot in any residential area will be prohibited.
The storage of junk, salvage or trash would also be prohibited after five days. It was also said that people could keep their junk cars if they are behind a fence or in a garage but those specifics need to be worked out. As city ordinances don’t apply to members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, council members discussed the possibility of working with the tribal council on enforcement.
