Annunciation Picnic street closing approved

The closing of a portion of Mill Street for the annual Annunciation Catholic Church Picnic was approved by the City of California Board of Aldermen Monday, May 5, at its regular monthly meeting. The picnic is Sunday, June 1, on the church grounds at the intersection of Mill and Patrick streets.

Also approved was the use of an area of Proctor Park on Saturday, June 7, from 3 to 5 p.m., by the New Beginnings Family Worship Center. The event is a children /youth camp fundraiser.

In regular business, the council selected Ward III Alderwoman Carol Rackers as president. In the event of the mayor's absence, she will preside over meetings. The council approved the appointment of Brian Scrivner as City Clerk and the current city attorney and department supervisors. New on the list of department supervisors are Police Chief Mike Ward and Recreation Supervisor Julie Moses.

According to Electric Supervisor Rick Graham, the reading of some electric and water meters is always a problem because of locked gates and dogs. Residents are being contacted about these problems. This past winter, reading of meters was more of a problem due to the snow. The council has been urged to look into the possibility of going to electronic meter reading. The changeover is going to be expensive and might be best completed incrementally. The process of switching electric and water meters with those which can be read with a wand has been going on for years. Most of the electric meters have been switched, but because of the extra time for water meter replacement, that process has been much slower. Additionally, the current city computer software is possibly not compatible with the available electronic meters. The council will explore this further.

May 19 a public hearing on water rates will be held at 6 p.m. at city hall.

In other business, the council approved changing the height requirement of fences around in-ground swimming pools to five feet from the current six foot standard. The council also approved purchase of a new skid steer for the street department for $38,100. The old skid steer needed about $7,000 in repairs. The new one will have a warranty and a loaner will be available until the new one arrives.

The next regular monthly meeting is Monday, June 2, at the city hall.