Snow removal proceeded in a timely fashion according to the report given to the City of California Board of Aldermen at the regular monthly meeting Monday, Jan. 7.
Although blowing snow, low visibility and extreme cold has made cleaning the streets, and keeping them clean, harder, the crews have kept at it. The city once more has four trucks which can be used for snow blading and cinder spreading. The only problem noted by Street Supervisor Vic Maurer was the freezing of the cinder beds due to the cold.
Travel in the city on Sunday was risky at best. Monday, the streets were clear enough for people to go about their business.
"As far as we know, we've made at least one pass on every street in town," Maurer said. "Some alleys haven't been gotten to yet."
According to Electric Supervisor Rick Graham, trash pickup was delayed due to the weather. Plans are to have the trucks on their routes by today (Wednesday).
Although there were a few frozen water meters, California residents were spared the broken water mains some cities suffered through.
The council received updates on the CO-MO Connect project, the residential demolition project and the Bartlett and West projects.
Water and Wastewater Supervisor Kyle Wirts reported several sewer line problems. One, on Cooper, Street, involved a problem in an old six-inch sewer line. He brought up the need to continue the upgrades of the sewer lines which are not up to the city standards. A list of those lines needing upgrading was developed several years ago.
The electric and water departments plan to issue notices concerning problems "hindering the reading of water and electric meters." If access is not made available, whether the problem is dogs, fences or something else, the service could be cut off.
Ordinances were approved to place two issues on the April 8 election ballot. One is a proposal to make the City Collector an appointed office rather than an elected office. The office of city collector has had no duties since 2009.
Also approved for the April ballot was a Usage Tax Proposal. The ballot proposal is for a 1.5 percent tax "for the privilege of storing, using or consuming within the city any article of tangible personal property pursuant to the authority granted by and subject to the provisions of Sections 144.600 through 144.761 RSMo."
According to Mayor Norris Gerhart, answering a question by Alderwoman Debbie Ferguson about what the proposal means, the proposal is mostly about sales tax on vehicles purchased out-of-state.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Feb. 3.