BYRON — People caught tapping into Byron's city water supply without the water being metered now face a $1,000 fine.
The Byron City Council set the fine on Thursday. The city used the term "straight-piping" to describe a person bypassing a meter by tapping a hydrant or running a line from a street main straight to a property.
The measure passed with limited debate, apparently because the issue was brought up during a closed meeting. On Aug. 11, an executive session was convened to deal with, "preliminary allegations of misconduct of a city employee" and the new fine was discussed, city administrator Mary Blair-Hoeft said.
No employees have been disciplined, Hoeft said.
The council also tabled further discussion about purchasing land in Byron Towne Village Second — the defunct Farr Development — to develop into a sports complex. The bank that foreclosed on the development is offering the city 27.5 acres for $130,000. The land had originally been platted as a sports complex.
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David Sletten, chairman of the Park Board, recommended the council purchase the land even though the complex could not be developed for several years, he said.
Sletten also talked about an Adopt-a-Park policy, which the council approved. Sletten said a group wishing to adopt a park had approached the Park Board. This policy will allow that adoption to proceed.
The adoption requires a $75 fee, which is good for three years and includes a sign at the park crediting the adoptive group. The policy also spells out what tasks the group must perform to keep the adoptive status.
