Resident uses ordinance to reduce water bill

ROYAL CITY - An ordinance passed just this year turned out to be a friend to resident Josefina Gonzalez at the Aug. 4 meeting of the Royal City Council.

The ordinance was enacted to help residents who incurred an unreasonably high water bill inadvertently. They sometimes happen when there is an unknown leak in the home's water system.

Gonzalez presented her case for onetime forgiveness related to water overages during months of June and July. Onetime forgiveness was granted for the months for those months only.

Gonzalez was still required to pay the base amount.

The regular meeting was closed and a public hearing was opened at 7:10 pm to allow public comment on the City's six year Transportation Improvement Program for 2016.

A motion was made to authorize Mayor Kent Andersen to sign agreement with Gray & Osborne, of Yakima, for engineering services related to the hydrogeological study as described in Amendment no. 6 The motion carried.

Potential abatement of Sparks Apartments on Acacia street was discussed. To complete an asbestos assessment would cost about $1,000, according to City Planner Darryl Piercy. Asbestos removal costs are estimated to be $20,000 or more.

The Royal Golf Course would like to apply for a liquor license to operate a snack bar that would serve alcohol. City Attorney Katherine Kenison confirmed that there would be no legal issue for the City related to the Golf Course serving alcohol.

The Council approved a consent agenda that includes the Council Meeting Minutes from July 21; payroll for July 31 in the amound of $41,440.01 and claims for Aug. 4 in the amount of $25,322.81