Odd-even watering ordinance gains first nod from city

HURON — Water conservation measures, with the goal of addressing sharp peak usage in the summer months due to lawn, tree and landscape watering, will go into effect about mid-July. City commissioners approved first reading of an odd-even watering ordinance on Monday.
In proposing the plan, city engineers say residents are not being discouraged from using water, but that imposing a schedule on which days of the week they are allowed to water their lawns based on their addresses will hopefully spread out the load on the system. For two years, the city’s demand for water has been nearing its capacity for delivering it.
Residents with odd-numbered addresses will be able to water lawns, trees and landscaping on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, while those with even-numbered addresses can water on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All residents can water on Sunday because there will be no industry demands when closed for the day.
No watering will be allowed each day between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. because of wind and evaporation during the heat of the day.
But hand watering of shrubs, trees, ground cover, plants, gardens and flowers is permitted any day of the week.
There will be 30-day waivers for new sod or newly seeded areas, with applications available at the city engineer’s office.
Rain sensors for all new automatic irrigation or watering systems installed after the ordinance goes into effect will be required. Sensors automatically shut off irrigation systems after one-fourth of an inch of rain has fallen.

The engineers are recommending that older systems be retrofitted with sensors. They said a local irrigation installation company estimates the cost to be about $80 for wired units and $130 for wireless ones.
Second and final reading of the ordinance is scheduled for next Monday. But residents are encouraged to begin the odd-even watering schedule early because there will likely be many high demand days before the ordinance goes into effect.
There were no public comments at Monday’s first reading.
Meanwhile, commissioners approved second and final reading of an ordinance regulating sea/land metal shipping containers on residential and business properties in the city.
The units will be allowed in residential zones for up to 30 days and in business and industrial districts with no time limit.
In residential zones, the containers can’t block sidewalks and in business zones they must be located in the rear yard.
Commissioners also:
• Appointed Louise Van Poll to the Historic Preservation Board.
• Approved a request for alcoholic beverage consumption in a public area filed by Jack Neitzert for a family reunion on Saturday at Ravine Lake south shelter.
• Set July 9 as the public hearing date for a petition filed by Jody Ramon to vacate one block of Center Street East between Redfield Avenue Northeast and Mitchell Avenue Northeast in Morningside.
• Accepted the resignation of volunteer firefighter Dean Konshak.
• Approved the full-time status of Alexa D’Acunto.
• Approved a $331,884 progress payment to Kyburz Carlson Construction of Aberdeen for work on the new public works building.
• Approved a joint powers agreement with the state Department of Transportation for improvements at Highway 37 and 21st Street.