Washington Development News
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Development News from the latest meeting
Homeowner to be Responsible for Ditch Maintenance Following Ordinance Clarification
The council discussed an issue regarding a ditch and homeowner responsibility for maintenance. It was noted that an ordinance from July 2024 places responsibility on the homeowner to maintain the ditch. The city previously maintained the ditch, but it filled up, possibly before the 2024 ordinance. The current direction is to inform the homeowner, Mrs. Dernal, of the ordinance and have her hire someone to maintain the ditch, as the city cannot force her but can provide her with a copy of the ordinance. The issue stems from actions taken by the homeowner that have restricted the ditch's flow, causing problems for others, especially after recent rainfall. The city attorney will be involved in communicating with Mrs. Dernal.
Council to Revise Animal Ordinance for Conditional Livestock Use Variance
The Council discussed a request to allow the keeping of two highland cows on a property zoned Suburban Residential (S1), with a portion zoned Residential (R1). The applicants wish to use their over four acres of fenced property for agritourism and agricultural education, specifically a 'fluffy cow experience.' The current animal ordinance requires livestock to be on agricultural-zoned property or a minimum of one acre, with council discretion for conditional variances. Legal interpretation suggests the property must be zoned agricultural unless grandfathered, which is not the case here. The existing animal ordinance is considered confusing and potentially conflicting. The Council directed the City Attorney to work on revising the ordinance to allow for conditional variances on a case-by-case basis, providing more flexibility for such uses without rezoning the entire property to agricultural. The revised ordinance will be presented at a future meeting.
Council Considers Ordinance to Add New Water and MVH Department Positions and Adjust Wages
The Council introduced and will further consider Ordinance 9-2026, which amends existing ordinances (14-2025 and 2-2026) to add two new positions: an Assistant Superintendent and a First Shift Operator for the Water Department, and a Transitional Employee for the Motor Vehicle Highway (MVH) Department. Several other hourly positions within these departments, including certified operators, heavy equipment operators, and laborers, are also detailed with their respective wage rates. The ordinance is set to take effect on July 13, 2026, pending final adoption at the next meeting. Discussions included clarifying pay rates for similar roles and the necessity of these new positions, some of which may be grant-funded initially.
Council Approves $17,000 Fund Transfer for Eastside Parks Donation Fund
The Common Council reviewed and approved Resolution 6-2026, which transfers funds within the 2026 budget. Specifically, $760 was moved from '690 Capital Outlay' to '320 Operating Supply' and $16,240 from '690 Capital Outlay' to '410 Other Services and Charges' within the '2395 Eastside Parks Donation CF' fund, totaling $17,000. These transfers are intended to reallocate donated funds from capital outlay to the categories where they will be spent, such as for Fourth of July bands and other operational needs. The resolution was passed on June 22, 2026.
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