Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget And Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Upland council adopts water and sewer rates, employee bonuses and multiple infrastructure approvals
Summary
The Upland Town Council on Nov. 19 approved a package of administrative and infrastructure actions: a 3% sewer rate increase for 2025, a $2,500 employee bonus, multiple contract change orders and retainage releases, and steps to complete the North Lift Station project.
The Upland Town Council voted Nov. 19 to adopt several budgetary and infrastructure measures, including a 3% increase to sewer rates for 2025, approval of employee bonuses and multiple contract actions tied to water and street projects.
At its regular meeting, the council adopted the 2025 water and sewer rates as presented; water rates remain unchanged while sewer rates will rise 3%. The rate resolution passed on a 3–1 vote, with Council President Shawn Sizemore the lone dissent. The council also adopted Ordinance 17-2024, an amendment giving the council the option to waive annual rate increases, by a 4–0 vote.
The council approved Salary Ordinance 19-2024 and adopted Resolution 4-2024 to provide a $2,500 bonus to each town employee for 2024; both votes were unanimous. Clerk-Treasurer Mary Fletcher’s financial reports — including the October APV Register and Fund report — were approved, and the council authorized payment from ARPA funds totaling $15,300 to Culy’s for emergency work and supplies related to a water main break; those motions passed unanimously.
Infrastructure and contract items were a major focus. Commonwealth Engineers’ Jeremy Hardy presented several motions the council approved 4–0: a $5,262 change order to pay retainage on the Spencer Alley project; release of a $7,280 retainage to Yardberry; a certificate of substantial completion for Yardberry’s SR22 Water Main Relocation Project; and a requested contract reduction of $6,341.50 with Yardberry. The council also approved a $25,000 contract reduction with Brackney and authorized Council President Shawn Sizemore to sign required OCRA documents and the certificate of completion for the North Lift Station once work is finished. Hardy told the council the town will remain under a sewer ban on the north side for one year after the lift-station upgrades are complete.
The council authorized RMA Engineering work to establish a local Board of Zoning Appeals and Plan Commission (Tasks 1–3) at a quoted cost of $43,200 (motion approved 4–0). It also approved Resolution 5-2024 to make the intersection of Hodson and 8th Street a four-way stop (4–0).
Votes at a glance - Approval of Oct. 15 minutes: approved 4–0 (mover: Brad Yordy; seconder: Heath Slain). - October APV Register and fund reports: approved 4–0 (mover: Amy McCrea; seconder: Heath Slain). - ARPA payment to Culy’s, $15,300: approved 4–0 (mover: Heath Slain; seconder: Brad Yordy). - 2025 health-insurance option (PPO): approved 4–0 (mover: Brad Yordy; seconder: Amy McCrea). - Salary Ordinance 19-2024: adopted 4–0 (mover: Brad Yordy; seconder: Heath Slain). - Resolution 4-2024 (employee $2,500 bonus): adopted 4–0 (mover: Heath Slain; seconder: Amy McCrea). - Holiday Calendar 2025: approved 4–0 (mover: Brad Yordy; seconder: Amy McCrea). - Spencer Alley change order (pay retainage $5,262): approved 4–0 (mover: Heath Slain; seconder: Brad Yordy). - Release retainage to Yardberry ($7,280): approved 4–0 (mover: Brad Yordy; seconder: Heath Slain). - SR22 Water Main Relocation substantial completion certificate: approved 4–0 (mover: Heath Slain; seconder: Amy McCrea). - Yardberry contract reduction ($6,341.50): approved 4–0 (mover: Brad Yordy; seconder: Heath Slain). - North Lift Station completion certificate authorization (Sizemore to sign upon completion): approved 4–0 (mover: Brad Yordy; seconder: Heath Slain). - Brackney contract reduction ($25,000): approved 4–0 (mover: Heath Slain; seconder: Amy McCrea). - Authorization for Council President to sign OCRA documents: approved 4–0 (mover: Heath Slain; seconder: Brad Yordy). - RMA Tasks 1–3 to form local BZA and Plan Commission ($43,200): approved 4–0 (mover: Brad Yordy; seconder: Amy McCrea). - Ordinance 17-2024 (amendment allowing waiver of annual increase): adopted 4–0 (mover: Amy McCrea; seconder: Heath Slain). - 2025 water and sewer rates (water unchanged, sewer +3%): adopted 3–1 (no: Shawn Sizemore; mover: Heath Slain; seconder: Amy McCrea). - Ordinance 18-2024, 1st reading (disconnection timeline, leak policy, hydrant fees): first reading approved 4–0 (mover: Heath Slain; seconder: Brad Yordy).
The council adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Upland Town Hall.
