Donnellson resident presses city on sewer backup

DONNELLSON – An ongoing discussion about the City of Donnellson’s role in the backup of sewage into several homes in July spilled over into the city’s council meeting again Monday night.

The issue came up at the July meeting of the council as well when Erin Wagner scolded the council and staff about damage done to her home in the 100 block of Maple Street on several occasions this summer, totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

Several other residents including Mary Kurtz also expressed concerns about the city’s storm and sewer lines backing up into homes.

Wagner had to approach the council Monday during the public comment section because Donnellson Mayor Dave Ellingboe wouldn’t put the issue back on the agenda for discussion.

Ellingboe said the only items that he puts on the agenda are items that are to come up for vote. Several members of the council asked if that was the only items that could be on the agenda, but were told discussion items could be placed on the agenda.

Iowa code allows for discussion items without action and discussion items with possible action to be placed on local government agendas.

Several councilmembers addressed Wagner and Kurtz concerns, but very briefly saying they understood Wagner’s concerns but were under advisement by the city’s attorney to not discuss the issue until the city’s insurance carrier worked through the issue.

At the last meeting, the council declined to discuss it until the city lines could be “camered” or video to see what may be impeding flow through the system.

Wagner said the city’s insurance representative had reached out to her about the issue.

Ellingboe said he would put the issue on the agenda for next month for further discussion. He also asked the city to video the city’s portion of the line leading up to Wagner’s home. The city spends about $5,000 a year running cameras through lines to help maintain the infrastructure and identify any issues.

Public Works Director Todd Herdrich said the city’s insurance carrier mandates that amount of testing, but he works for the city and will do what the city directs him to do.

Ellingboe said the city doesn’t have the budget to service more of the city’s line each year, but it’s a problem that he wants to get fixed.

In an unrelated agenda item, the council also approved a public records policy that sets fees for producing documents. The policy charges those looking for public records from .25 per page to .40 for double sided color documents.

The policy provides for city staff to spend up to 15 minutes on producing documents without charging a fee, but then assesses quarter hour increments at the City Clerk’s rate of pay. The policy also allows the city to charge attorneys fees to those seeking documentation that has to be reviewed prior to being released.

Records that are protected as confidential under Iowa Code Chapter 22.7 may be withheld according to the policy and Iowa code.