A water service territory transfer agreement was approved Monday night during the Webster City City Council meeting.

Xenia Rural Water District is relinquishing the service territory that encompasses Briggs Woods and transferring rights to provide water service to the City of Webster City. This is due to the coming construction of the Briggs Woods Conference Center. With the addition of the conference center, Briggs Woods will need water service at a higher capacity. Xenia is unable to provide this and has agreed to relinquish the service territory.

“It doesn’t require the city annex the area,” said Webster City City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez, “They would be able to connect to our city’s water system at the end of the water main that that goes up the channel to Virginia Parkway.”

Water service will be provided in accordance with the city ordinances regulating water utility and water rates.

The council approved setting the date and time for a public hearing on the proposed sale of lots in the Brewer Creek Estates 5th and 6th Additions. The public hearing will be held on Monday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.

According to the council packet, local realtors were consulted on the prices presented for the lots and deemed the prices to be appropriate.

“The realtors felt the lot prices were right where they should be,” said Ortiz-Hernandez.

Staff also consulted with the city’s municipal financing attorney, John Danos, partner at Dorsey & Whitney, LLP concerning TIF financing.

The council approved setting a public hearing on the continuation of the City-Wide Urban Revitalization Plan for Residential Tax Abatement for Monday, Nov. 6 at 5:55 p.m.

“This for setting a public hearing to continue the infill tax abatement program,” said Ortiz-Hernandez. “This really is one of our few tools available for encouraging the development of infill lots that are otherwise difficult to try and see developed.”

This program offers an incentive for new, residential construction on infill lots. These lots include those which already abut a public street and are within 50′ of public sewer and water. According to the council packet, since the program’s origin in 1993, 135 new dwelling units have qualified for the three-year tax abatement.

The present plan expires this year. At the October 9 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, members recommended this program be extended. The program will be extended another three years.

The second reading of a proposed ordinance to modify speed regulations on Beach Street was approved. The third reading was waived. The council then approved to pass and adopt the ordinance.

The second reading of a proposed ordinance amending the fireworks ordinance was approved. The third reading was waived. The council passed and adopted the proposed ordinance. Residents will now only be able to use consumer fireworks from 10 a.m. on July 4 until 12 a.m. on July 5.

The council approved the additions of four-way stops on Fairmeadow Drive and Rodlyn Road and on Fairmeadow Drive at Kamen Drive. Both locations are currently uncontrolled intersections. The cost to install the posts and signs is estimated at $800.

Councilman Logan Welch, who was for the addition of the new stop signs, questioned the placement of the new stops.

Ortiz-Hernandez said as Fairmeadow Drive was opened up near the new developments, the city received requests from residents for stop signs at both locations.

“We received requests from residents in the area, specifically for the ones on Kamen Drive and Fairmeadow Drive and at Rodlyn Road and Fairmeadow Drive,” said Ortiz-Hernandez.

Ortiz-Hernandez noted the city received comments that were both for and against the stop signs from residents. Negative pushback from residents was focused on them having to stop at intersections they didn’t have to before.

A resolution approving and establishing the Declaration of Restrictions and Protective Covenants and Conditions for Brewer Creek Estates 5th and 6th Additions was tabled until the November 6 council meeting.

A request to purchase a generator for City Hall was approved. The current generator was put to use during a storm in early March. Welch also reminded the public that city hall is a storm shelter and the community can use it as such in inclement weather.

The Youth Advisory Commission is in need of one more member. The council will be interviewing three candidates for the position on October 30 at the Webster City Middle School.

The next town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Webster City Middle School. Possible topics of discussion include the wastewater treatment plant update and city-wide leaf removal.

The next city council meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m.