OSKALOOSA — A full house and a full agenda faced three New Sharon City Council members Wednesday as they unanimously passed a resolution to allow Area 15 Regional Planning Commission to proceed with a Community Development Block Grant application for the water system improvement project.

The council scheduled a public hearing for the resolution on Oct. 6.

With the absence of council members Dianna Klinker and Zach Pickard around the large oval oak table, the remaining three unanimously voted to resubmit the CDBG application despite being turned down the first time for having too low water rates, New Sharon City Clerk Diane Brand said Thursday morning. The city increased its chances of receiving the grant after passing an ordinance in July raising water rates.

In March, the city was informed a CDBG in the amount of $380,000 was turned down. The city had applied for the state grant to help offset the cost of a water system improvement project estimated to cost $760,000.

And by the same 3-0 vote, the council granted Area 15 RPC approval to apply for a no-interest loan from Iowa Finance Authority to pay for Garden and Associates’ engineering fees associated with the water improvement project.

“We have already been having to pay for the engineer to do pre-planning for the water system project,” Brand said.

Part of the reason for a full City Hall were three building permits were in front of the council, one request to plant a tree and the opening of bids for two city-owned properties.

Bids for the city-owned properties at 307 E. Cary St. and 707 S. Main St. were opened last night and both failed to satisfy what the council believes the properties are worth, Brand said. The highest bid for the property on Cary Street was $500 and the highest bid for the property on South Main was $7,500.

“Well, they ended up not selling either property,” Brand said.

The council did see fit to grant three building permits: One to Jim Hargis to build a shop, one to Matt Van Wyk to build a fence and one to Aaron Schock to build a shop.

And the resolution to allow Dennis and Cathy Houser to plant a tree in the parking area in front of their house at 302 N. Main St. was necessary, Brand said, because it would maintain accountability and responsibility over time.

“So the resolution says that yes, he can do that, and that he will be responsible for any trimming or maintenance associated with that tree,” Brand said. “And so a resolution we decided would be the best way to keep track of that.”

Mayor Ed Davis delivered a costly water report, Brand said. The city just finished working on water well No. 3 to the tune of nearly $9,000 and now well No. 2 will need the same repairs — acidify and a new water pump and motor.

Brand said several residents are violating a city resolution by pumping directly into the sewer lines.

“When we get a lot of rain, there’s several people or homes in town that their sump pumps are being pumped into the sewer, and so when we get a big heavy rain, it causes the sewer to take on more than it should,” Brand said. “And there is actually an ordinance against that.”

Brand said the council discussed the issue but did not resolve a course of action. She called the issue “a touchy situation.”

Herald City Editor Michael Schaffer can be reached by email at mschaffer@oskyherald.com