Residents press council on trash notices, dispute a 2021 water bill

Two members of the public used the meeting's public-comment period to press the council on local service and billing matters.

Stanley Campbell, who identified himself as representing District 1, asked about the city's notifications regarding a previously discussed change to garbage collection and referenced a reported 60-day deferment and a likely September effective date. City staff responded that notices about increases for water, sewer and garbage were posted to the city website and to Facebook, and that the city is preparing a mailed notice for billing customers. "On the website yesterday, we posted notice of the increases for all 3, water, sewer, and garbage," a staff member said, adding a mail-out was being coordinated so customers who receive city bills will receive the same posting.

Laurie Henderson of Hammond spoke about a billing discrepancy for her mother. She said she reviewed bills covering roughly 18 months and found a $164.18 water bill from 2021 that she characterized as "ridiculous," and presented photographs she said show the water meter was covered and unreadable. "I have pictures of her water meter where it was covered up," Henderson said, and said a plumber later uncovered the meter. Charles Boscher (city staff) offered to review the photographs and said he would look into the discrepancy.

Staff told Henderson to contact administration and to make an appointment to show the pictures; the transcript records the staff offer but no final resolution or adjustment during the meeting. The council did not take formal action on either public-comment item during the session; staff indicated they would follow up outside the meeting.