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Ward council roundup: cybersecurity policy, utility relief, celebration funding, ADA work, eminent‑domain steps and other votes
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting, the Ward City Council adopted a cybersecurity policy, approved waiving water disconnect fees tied to Winter Storm Fern, allocated funds for the nation’s 250th celebration, authorized ADA design work, tabled a truck purchase pending bids, and authorized eminent‑domain procedures to secure remaining wastewater easements.
The Ward City Council on Feb. 17 approved a group of resolutions and actions addressing cybersecurity compliance, emergency utility relief, festival funding, capital projects and right‑of‑way access.
Resolutions adopted
- Cybersecurity policy (Resolution 2026‑08): The council adopted a cybersecurity policy to comply with Act 843 of 2023, following the clerk’s reading of the title. The Chair described the action as a state requirement the city needed to complete.
- Water disconnect fees (Resolution 2026‑09): Council adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor to waive and suspend disconnect fees for Ward water accounts related to Winter Storm Fern. The Chair said the city had already suspended lock‑offs during the event because ice prevented safe meter access.
- Nation’s 250th celebration funding (Resolution 2026‑10): Council approved allocating additional funds to expand the city’s celebration, including increased fireworks and more entertainment options. Parks and Recreation staff (Michelle) said plans include three carnival rides and multiple bouncy houses; the Chair and council discussed a proposed breakdown that included $15,000 for fireworks, $6,000 for rides and about $4,000 for unforeseen purchases. Staff noted roughly $6,000 in additional donations had already been raised.
Other formal actions
- Vehicle purchase (Resolution 2026‑11): The council tabled the immediate purchase of a 2026 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 from Landers Auto Group for the street department. After discussion about tow capacity, diesel vs. gas engines, and state contract option limits, council authorized staff to solicit bids for a one‑ton (3,500) 4x4 diesel truck instead.
- ADA improvements (Resolution 2026‑12): Council approved a $20,000 contract with WDD Architects to design Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at city hall and authorized staff to proceed with bidding.
- Wastewater easements and eminent domain: The Chair told council that four out‑of‑town property owners had not returned easement paperwork needed to proceed with a wastewater rehabilitation project. Council voted to authorize staff to initiate eminent‑domain procedures for those remaining easements so the project can move forward.
Administrative and committee actions
- Planning commission recommendations: Council accepted the planning commission report, approved the Moonlight Meadows Phase 2 final plat and noted the commission had previously approved a variance related to cul‑de‑sac length.
- Economic development committee: Council approved creating an economic development committee chaired by Councilmember Chapman with three council members and private‑sector members, charged with brainstorming strategies to promote local growth.
- Spring cleanup: Council set the spring cleanup for May 2.
Quotes and context
Chair on storm relief and meter access: “We had lock offs come right in the middle of it and it would have been we couldn’t do it with 6 inches of ice on top of water meters.”
Chair on eminent domain authority for easements: “I don’t like to do it, but I can’t push this off.”
What comes next
Several items require follow‑up: the Spence Trust parcel purchase will return with formal paperwork and a resolution; staff will solicit bids for the one‑ton truck; and city staff will proceed with steps to secure remaining easements for the wastewater project.
