At the center of Tuesday night’s Cadiz City Council meeting: three homes on Noel Drive whose owner/landlords had paid more than $5,500 in sewer service and fees over the last few years — only to finally discover that their homes and lots were on septic tanks, and were not connected to city municipalities.
It started with Atmos Energy recently trying to locate lines on the street. Public Works Director Craig Oakley followed suit with some investigation, and discovered more trouble. A phone call to City Attorney Allen Wilson simply posed the question of who was truly at fault.
Wilson noted the city was not at fault, while the unnamed owners of 120 Noel Drive stated their case to the council.
Looking to quickly rectify the situation, the city council unanimously approved reimbursement to the property owners. Afterward, councilman Frankie Phillips and Oakley discussed what it would take cost-wise to put those properties on the main sewer system.
Oakley noted that the price of a sewer tap, plus a plumber installing a pump to the city’s line, would complete the work necessary for these three properties.
In other key business:
— As part of the Spirit Card Committee and public relations liaison for Trigg County Schools, Sarah Elliott relayed that, with the city’s blessing, school officials and students would begin work next spring on a “Born Learning” Trail along the walking path that runs parallel to Lafayette Street and through town. Signs with interactive ideas, and painted areas for things like creative learning and games, would be created through the funding returned by FNB Bank’s debit card quarterly donation, in what would be a return investment back into the community. The city council accepted the proposal unanimously, on the pretense Elliott and other school officials worked with the city in the path’s upkeep and maintenance.
— The Cadiz City Council voted unanimously in favor of observing the “Juneteenth” federal holiday, which was signed into law this past June by the Biden/Harris administration in Washington, D.C. Celebrated on June 19 each year, “Juneteenth” is also known as “Jubilee Day,” “Emancipation Day,” “Freedom Day” and “Black Independence Day,” and it was first celebrated on June 19, 1866 following the end of slavery and the American Civil War.
— Following a $20,000 donation from Cadiz/Trigg Parks & Recreation, the Cadiz City Council unanimously approved a $5,000 donation to the quickly-rising Cadiz Leadership Farmer’s Market roof project. This brings fundraising efforts north of $45,000, with a goal of $60,000-to-$70,000 originally set by the Chamber of Commerce organization.
— Lauded for her and her family’s efforts in lighting the streets of Cadiz with Christmas decorations, the city council also unanimously approved to begin paying for new Renaissance on Main Director Darlene Butts’ cell phone bill, in the amount of $40-to-$45 a month, in what is a common practice with previous administrators.
