Council tables proposed dual‑metering ordinance after resident requests grandfathering

Oglesby Mayor Curran and councilmembers voted to table a proposed dual‑metering ordinance after residents and councilmembers asked for changes, including possible grandfathering for already‑installed irrigation meters.

Pat Flecker, who identified himself as a resident of Oakwood Avenue, told the council the draft ordinance should not be retroactive to homeowners who already invested in irrigation systems. "When you put in an irrigation system, it's pretty significant investment of dollars," Flecker said, and asked the council to "consider maybe grandfathering those that have already been installed." Staff acknowledged that contractor estimates on gallons used would vary by weather and that any fuel estimates were the contractor's best approximation.

City staff and the drafter said they would make specific wording changes requested by the council. The draft originally referred to the "public works director" reviewing applications; staff agreed to change references to the plumbing inspector and to circulate modifications to the council before the next meeting. Councilmember Mac (Commissioner) said he supported grandfathering: "I think it'd be a good thing to grandfather the people in." The motion before the council — to table Ordinance No. 1296‑090225 with the intent of placing it on the next agenda after edits — was made, seconded and approved by roll call.

The council did not adopt policy changes at the meeting; the ordinance remains tabled so staff can incorporate the clarifications requested by speakers and councilmembers. The council directed staff to circulate proposed edits prior to the next meeting and confirmed the plumbing inspector would be the reviewer for eligibility checks.

The next procedural step is for staff to prepare the revised ordinance language and return it for consideration at the next regular council meeting.