Desert Messenger

8 www.DesertMessenger.com May 20, 2015 MUAC to discuss options of metering private wells for volumetric sewer reads Getting kids to eat healthy is hard, especially for busy moms. The Arizona WIC program now offers new foods to help families provide nutritious meals. Yogurt, whole wheat pasta, and new brands of cereal and baby foods for older babies are now available through the WIC pro- gram. The full list of foods in- cludes many fresh, frozen and canned vegetables, milks, cheeses, and cereals. WIC foods are healthy for moms, babies, and preschool- ers and are approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. Helping choose healthy foods is only one of the ways WIC helps families. WIC moms learn what to eat while pregnant or breastfeed- ing and how to feed their growing kids, especially picky eaters. Moms get WIC checks that can be used at grocery stores and farmers' mar- kets to buy healthy foods for their family. WIC helps moms with breastfeeding, too. Moms do a lot and WIC is there to help a little. Many families do not realize they can participate in the WIC program, even after their baby turns one. Spread the word, encourage all the moms you know with kids under age fi ve to visit www.azwic.gov today and fi nd out if they are eligible. WIC changes Dave's DIESEL DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE David Atherton 605-999-0720 • Pat Atherton 816-797-5460 Located at Quartzsite Marketplace 50 E. Kuehn WELDING & FABRICATING SERVICES Mobile Shop - Machine Shop Services - Hydraulic Hose Repair - Special meeting for MUAC Thursday, May 28th at 2pm. The item on the agenda reads: "Discussion of Implementation of private well metering for the purpose of providing volumetric sewer reads." By Shanana Rain BearCat There was a huge turnout at Tues- day, April 28th's Quartzsite Council meeting for an item Mayor Ed Foster had on the agenda to discuss meter- ing private wells. Foster explained the topic he wanted was not ex- pressed. He wanted to discuss "wa- ter policy as applied to water rates to the town," however without a formal written request, Town Manager Sky- lor Miller said he "set the item for a discussion item only so there would be an open discussion." Foster started by stating, "There are a lot of businesses in town that have come to me and we have rate for commercial customers, where we encourage them to take city wa- ter. If they do, they get a volumetric rate on their sewer." In other words, commercial properties . Foster wants to propose to a rate structure "to have a meter put on their own well to record how much of their own water is going into our sewer. They would get a reduced rate." Miller explained some residential properties could be impacted by the discussion. There are 16 RV parks, 16 commercial, 64 residential prop- erties that would fall under the 75th percentile rate structure. Foster said, "Public works is go- ing to customers saying that if they want this they would have to cap their well. Capping a producing well is the last thing we should be doing." However, Miller said he is "aware of a historical practice, but it's not a policy practice today." Foster said some business owners complained to him that they didn't have suffi cient water pressure in January. Miller said, "We struggle with regu- lating the pressure. It's going to be a ongoing issue because of the diversity of the user classes we have and lower pressure residential properties." Miller said the Town has had to scale back to 45 PSI; otherwise they would be popping off residential faucets. (The Arizona Corporation Commission requires only a 20 PSI minimum for private water compa- nies in Arizona.) Miller said, "We're getting new booster pumps at the Quail Trail well to help restructure the fl ow." Regarding Foster's proposal, Mill- er explained there are billing issues involved and there would have to be more research on billing in-house. Members of the public commented that this discussion should have been presented to the Municipal Utilities Administrative Committee (MUAC) board, before going before council. After much discussion, Council di- rected staff to take the item to the MUAC board for further discussion, research, and public input. The MUAC board had changed their meeting schedule and only meet quarterly, but there is now a special meeting planned for this discussion Thursday, May 28th at 2pm at Town Hall. The public is invited to attend. For more infor- mation, contact Town Hall at 928- 927-4333. The Town website is ci.quartzsite.az.us.

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