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Sigourney council declines landlord's request to waive $1,087 in water penalties
Summary
The Sigourney City Council on Nov. 20 refused to waive $1,087.18 in water charges for a local landlord, voting 5-1 after the owner said the amount stemmed largely from penalties assessed while a problem tenant occupied a duplex.
The Sigourney City Council voted on Nov. 20 to deny a local landlord's request to forgive $1,087.18 in past-due water charges tied to a former tenant.
Property owner Ben Brubaker told the council he owns a duplex at 316 Stuart Street, identified the tenant as Levi Zwick-Tapley and said the balance included $831 in penalties and $256 in net water charges. "I'm asking for the penalties to be waived, and I will in return I'm willing to pay the net water cost," Brubaker said, telling the council that he had tried to evict the tenant and that the property previously had a single shutoff that made disentangling tenant and owner charges difficult.
City Clerk Ashley Fry told the council the account was finalized in December 2021 and reminded members that the city has an ordinance making property owners responsible for unpaid utility charges when tenants do not pay. Council members noted the request was previously considered in February 2022 and that staff had attempted to collect funds through a state program tied to income-tax refunds without success.
After discussion, Council member Conrad moved, seconded by Council member Clark, "to not forgive the late fees and to stick with the decision that was previously made in February 2022." The roll-call vote was Ayes: Clark, Conrad, McLaughlin, Iosbaker and Schultz; Nays: Lentz. The motion passed.
Context and next steps: The council's decision leaves the total $1,087.18 on the account; Brubaker said he had since installed a second shutoff to separate units. The council record indicates the penalties portion of the balance is $831 and the net water cost is $256. No further collection action or payment plan was detailed at the meeting.
Votes at a glance (selected actions from the Nov. 20 meeting): - Consent agenda approved (library AP $4,030.57 and other routine items). - Minutes of Nov. 6, 2024 approved (Council member Conrad abstained). - Council accounts payable of $35,698.93 approved (Council member Lentz abstained due to a potential conflict—her brother owns a vendor). - Visitors Guide half-page ad at $650 approved unanimously. - Jan. 1, 2025 council meeting moved to Jan. 2, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., approved unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
