The Goodrich City Council covered financial institutions, changed the pricing on sewer pumps and discussed possible improvements to future Christmas celebrations in Thursday’s regular meeting for December.
Council discussed bids for financial institutions, however, they will not be able to decide on one until 21 days after the notice goes out. Every five years, the city is required go out for bid for a financial institution.
Each interested institution will have to fill out an application. Currently with PNCC (the former Compass), the city will likely make a decision in the January or February regular meeting. The council did approve obtaining the bids.
The city currently is charged $1,780 for sewer pumps. Along with labor, the total is near $2,100. Goodrich has not been charging customers enough to cover its costs, with the last one sold at $1,750.
Goodrich Mayor Kelly Nelson is hoping that customers will be able to make payments to afford the pumps.
“When they are on water and sewer with the city, no matter if they are within the city limits, we have to do it,” Nelson said. “We cannot be liable for some pump that is rigged. There is no way of getting around it. We’re not making any money, but cities aren’t set up to lose money.”
Council approved a price of $2,100 for sewer pumps.
The city has received the audit for dredging of the wastewater ponds. They are still in search of a loan to complete the task.
Nelson also discussed the Christmas festivities that occurred Saturday. She was pleased with the turnout and thought the event went well. She mentioned that there were plenty of food vendors and asked about the bicycles for the giveaway that had not arrived on time.
Alderman Ty Grubbs suggested that the deadline is moved up in future events for toys to be donated to avoid any similar problems.
“Giving away stuff that wasn’t there was the biggest headache of the whole deal,” he said.
The bikes were said to have arrived Wednesday night, and were being put together Thursday. They were expected to arrive at the city offices Friday.
Winning first place in the parade was the First Apostolic Church of Goodrich. Second place went to Pro Star Waste, while third was the Polk County Memorial Museum.
