Ephrata council adds fine for runoff

Personnel policy changed, old codes addressed

EPHRATA — Property owners in Ephrata are prohibited from allowing their rainwater runoff to flow onto another person's property, but those ignoring the ordinance are never penalized.

The Ephrata City Council changed that Wednesday, creating an $85 fine for violators.

Property owners receive notification they're violating the ordinance, an opportunity to correct, followed by the new $85 fine.

The council, in other business, acted to remove Ephrata municipal code deemed unnecessary, unused or unenforceable by city staff members.

City Administrator Wes Crago said an "admissions tax" in the municipal code met all three of the categories for repeal.

Crago said the tax, added in 1989, generated no more than $1,000 per year for the city and proved almost impossible to enforce. It created accounting difficulties and was never budgeted, he said.

Finally, in a separate action, the council approved a change to the city's personnel policy.

City employees requested the option of donating accumulated sick leave to co-workers in need. Such donations are currently not allowed, Crago said.

With the council's approval, a section was added to the city's personnel policy with the following provisions:

? Sick leave donations are allowed at the city administrator's discretion.

? Donations are only given to employees who've used all their leave.

? Employees receiving donations must have no record of abusing leave.

? Donors must maintain a minimum "bank" of 160 hours of sick leave after donating.

? All requests and donations are documented in writing and voluntary.

Crago said there were several instances of employees asking to donate to a fellow employee with a hardship.