WASHINGTON — The city’s talked-about sewer project will get a big boost today when Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman makes a major announcement.

Details of today’s announcement were not made public at Monday’s City Council meeting, but they concern a $9 million grant the city has applied for to help fund the project. The announcement is set for 2 p.m. at the council chambers, 200 Harned Ave.

“We’re excited to have the Lt. Governor here (today) for a major announcement,” Mayor Larry Haag said. “We expect a very nice grant to be announced. That will mean a tremendous amount to the ratepayers and the citizens of Washington.”

The Community Development Block Grant is to help fund a $24 million sewer addition that will solve its issues with the state Department of Environmental Management and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

The project, to be finished in about 18 months once it starts, is to eliminate overflow of untreated waste into the White River by building two retention basins and a constructed wetland near Hawkins Creek.

Haag went on to say the project not only allows city wastewater to be more affordable, but to be attractive to business.

“We feel we will be very competitive,” Haag said. “It’s about jobs, jobs, jobs, and we are going to solicit and advertise very heavily so that in 18 months, we will be viable and ready for new businesses to locate.”

The remaining $15 million will be borrowed from the state Revolving Loan Fund. The project is one of Haag’s top priorities, as it was when he ran for Mayor in 2007, when he felt that the previously planned $63 million project was too costly.

During Monday’s meeting, the council voted 7-0 to pass an ordinance starting the legal process for seeking bonds for the project.

At the last council meeting in March, the council passed an ordinance raising sewer rates. The first hike, effective May 1, will be 9.57 percent, meaning an average home will see a rise of $3.

A 20.34 percent hike is planned for 2012, but the council passed a resolution that said the city will do a rate study at least 30 days before the second rate hike is needed. The resolution was suggested by Councilman Allen Brown at the March 22 meeting.

In other business

ZONING ORDINANCE

The ordinance changing the old Tokheim building’s zoning classification from industrial to residential was approved 7-0. The change will allow for negotiations on purchasing the building from a Fort Wayne holding company. In its place, affordable housing will be built near the site via a $4.1 million grant.

Charlie Riker asked that a letter against the zoning change be entered into the minutes. The letter included a statement that Councilman Art Biddinger, also president of the Plan Commission, approved the zoning request after reading one letter and two e-mails.

Biddinger refuted the statement, saying his comments were in the minutes of last meeting.

“It is wrong,” Biddinger said.

The council voted 6-1 with Biddinger voting against to include the letter into the minutes.

WATER PARK

With summer approaching, the council heard the first reading on prices at the Waterworld of Washington for this year.

Prices were proposed as $3 per day, with $1 a day for the slide. A season pass is $60 a person and $100 for a family. Children under 4 are admitted free. Pool party rates are $100 per hour with a two-hour minimum.

“We had to raise the rates because we are using more,” Parks Superintendent Dan Neely said. “But it is also reasonably priced.”

The ordinance also stated that the park will no longer be called the pool, but the Waterworld of Washington. This will be the first full year of the water park and the ordinance will be up for adoption at the next council meeting.

CHICKENS

Amy Farren asked the council to continue raising chickens at her home on Greenwood Street. City Attorney Jeff Norris said the council has to grant a conditional variance.

Animal Control Superintendent Michael Babrick said other property owners complained about the noise from the roosters and the odor. Farren said she only has 10 hens and said she has never received complaints.

“It is a controversy,” Biddinger said. “If we allow this, it will set a precedent. We had one in the east end last year and he had to close it down.”

The council unanimously voted not to grant the variance and the chickens have to be removed in 30 days.

BID OPENINGS

Four sets of bids were opened Monday. The first set was for grant administration proposals for the upcoming sewer project. Only one bidder, the Southern Indiana Development Commission, bid for the grant work for $147,000. Public Works approved the bid.

The second set of bids was for 16 new SCBA breathing gear for the fire department. Three companies bid from $86,000 to $99,000 for the gear, and Public Works referred the bids to Fire Chief David Rhoads. The gear is being paid for with a federal FEMA grant for $101,000.

Two more buildings, 15 W. Pearl St. and 112 Harned Ave., were bid for demolition. Three companies, Don Gress Construction, Rex Gress and Sons and Conner Excavating, bid for the work at both houses. Public Works awarded Don Gress both bids for $7, 250 on Pearl Street and $4,150 on Harned Ave.

UTILITY RESOLUTIONS

Public Works passed two resolutions for payments and utility deposits. The first resolution was, according to Utility Office Manager Anita Ash, to formally accept credit and debit card payments of utility bills. The second resolution was changing landlord utility deposits from $100 to $25 after complaints from landlords about the fees.

If a landlord is delinquent, the deposit rate will move up to $100.

CROSSWALK

Daviess Community Hospital requested two crosswalks on Bedford Road, connecting its parking lots to the hospital. Public Works granted the request and signs will be posted.

TRANSFER

The council passed a resolution allowing the street department to transfer $10,163 in its motor-vehicle highway budget. The transfer was for a new roof at the department garage.

PERSONNEL

At the police department, Ptl. Eric Eichmiller will return to day shift when he returns from active duty with the Marine Reserves. Due to a shakeup in the shifts, Ptl. Craig Cox will go to day shift, Ptl. Barry Hudson will move to second shift, Ptl. Derrick Devine will move to swing shift and Ptl. Daniel Christie will be on third shift.

The move will take effect April 17.