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Fluoride repeal gets first reading

By Staff | Aug 11, 2017

The Rugby City Council took another step in eliminating fluoride from the city’s water treatment process.

In a regular meeting Monday evening, the council approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 408, which, if passed, would repeal Ordinance No. 84.

Passed on Nov. 17, 1958, Ordinance No. 84 ordained that the city’s water supply would be treated with fluorides “for the promotion, protection and preservation of the general health and welfare” of city residents.

Fluoride occurs naturally in the city’s water supply, however it is treated with additional fluoride. The fluoride used in the water treatment process has been corroding equipment at the city’s water treatment plant.

In July, Public Works Committee Chairman and Ward 1 Councilman Neil Lotvedt explained the committee would like to remove fluoride from the water treatment process due to the corrosion of water plant equipment. Ward 3 Councilman Tim Bartsch, Sr., motioned to eliminate the fluoride and change the ordinance requiring it, which was approved with all council members voting yes.

The repeal ordinance awaits a second reading.

(sub.) Fireworks ordinance revisited

The council approved the first reading of a new version of Ordinance No. 405 by a 5-2 vote.

The new version keeps mandates from a prior version that had a second reading denied in July. That version changed the times in which fireworks can be used in the city on July 3 and 4 to from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. both days.

The new version changes the times of use to: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 27 through July 2; 8 a.m. on July 3 to 1 a.m. July 4; 8 a.m. July 4 to 1 a.m. July 5; and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 5.

The prior version also:

Changed the application deadline for special events that have fireworks displays from 10 days in advance to 30.

Changed the fine for persons violating Chapter 9.36 from no less than $100 to no more than $500.

Mandated that vendors apply for permits by May 1 and pay a $50 application fee; disclose sale and storage locations on permit applications and be subject to inspection with vendor consent. (Failure to consent would result in forfeiture of permits the next year.) Vendors who violate permit conditions would be subject to a $150 fine for the first offense, $300 for the second offense, and $500 plus a three-year suspension of permits for the third.

Ward 1 Councilman Bruce Allen Rheault asked for the council to do a roll-call vote on the ordinance. Rheault and Ward 2 Councilman Randy Fossum voted “no”. Bartsch, Ward 3 Councilman Joel Berg, Ward 4 Council Members Chuck Longie and Sue Steinke and Ward 2 Councilman Gary Kraft voted “yes.”

Ordinance No. 405 also awaits a second reading.

(sub.) Other actions

– The council approved raffle permit requests for the Heart of America Medical Center Auxiliary and the Little Flower PTO.

– The council approved the July meeting minutes, bills and financial statements, Municipal Judge’s report, and Rugby Job Development Authority board meeting minutes.

With Rugby Mayor Arland Geiszler absent, Lotvedt presided over the evening Monday evening. Also absent was City Attorney Bill Hartl.