The meeting began with a public comment from Nathan Fishbach, a resident who recently moved into a new home on Sugarloaf Lane. Fishbach detailed receiving a water bill indicating usage of 19,000 gallons in one month, leading to a charge of approximately $210, and a subsequent reading showing total usage of nearly 50,000 gallons over two months. He suspected the issue arose from an unnecessary water tank activated in his basement. Despite confirming no leaks through a city-conducted inspection, Fishbach sought council assistance for leniency on the water bill. A council member expressed understanding but noted the challenge of covering treatment and delivery costs, as the water had already passed through city meters.

The council deliberated on establishing a payment plan as a potential solution, emphasizing fairness to all taxpayers and caution in setting a precedent for future similar requests. Ultimately, the council agreed that a payment plan was a suitable resolution, allowing Fishbach to manage the outstanding balance over several months without incurring penalties, provided payments were made on time.

Transitioning to legislative matters, the council held a public hearing on a revised cannabis ordinance. The ordinance aimed to regulate the location and operation of cannabis businesses within the city. During discussions, the council debated the implications of temporary permits for cannabis events and how restrictions might affect public spaces. The ordinance was approved unanimously, with plans to publish a summary in the local paper.

In a different agenda item, the council approved a minor subdivision proposal involving three parcels near the Custom Iron property. These parcels, intended to be joined with deed restrictions to properties owned by Leah Witchman, Jennifer Walter, and Glenn Proudfoot, required rezoning from Industrial I2 to Residential R1. A public hearing was set for December 10, with the Planning and Zoning Commission recommending approval. The subdivision aimed to create larger lots for homeowners, with assurances that no business operations would be conducted on the residentially zoned property.

The council also approved a 2025 CEDA contract and discussed the deputy city administrator position, noting nine applications received. The contract approval included a 40-hour agreement with an acknowledgment of potential budget overlap during the transition period. Additionally, the council selected Ken Flaherty from the firm Flaherty and Hood as the new city attorney. Flaherty’s firm, specializing in municipal law, offered a flat fee retainer agreement, providing consistent billing, with additional fees for litigation and specialized labor issues.

Further discussions addressed the city’s fee schedule for 2025, proposing increases in water, sewer, and stormwater fees. The stormwater fee, in particular, was set to double to address infrastructure needs. The council emphasized that even with these increases, total rates remained lower than neighboring areas. A public hearing for the fee schedule was set for January 2.

The council’s allocation of ARPA funds also drew attention, with proposals for LED lighting replacements and new security cameras following recent vandalism. The cameras, aimed at enhancing safety in public areas, would replace older models, providing improved coverage and Wi-Fi capability. The council also considered purchasing or leasing a large format scanner for city planning documents, with costs ranging from $5,000 to $9,000. Approval for the proposed spending passed unanimously.