MONROE - A change to city code which would have prohibited the creation of any private wells within city limits was sent back to the Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee after council members raised concerns about its effect on commercial operations.
Alderman Michael Boyce said he was previously unaware the code change would impact businesses.
"If there's only a handful of residential wells existing, maybe it would be better to specify in this ordinance that it's regarding residential wells, for obvious reasons," Boyce said.
Council member Tom Miller agreed, after having first questioned City Attorney Dan Bartholf about the effect the ordinance would have on city businesses, namely Badger State Ethanol, which operates on a private well system in addition to being connected to the city water system.
Bartholf explained to the Monroe Common Council during a public hearing regarding the change Tuesday that the code language would essentially eliminate the possibility of any new private wells within city limits. A property transfer would require an existing well on the property to be abandoned, per the new ordinance. Those with current permits could continue private well use, though a lapse in annual renewal would result in a surrender of the well.
Utilities Supervisor Mike Kennison confirmed that a "handful of private wells" translated to roughly five or six. Badger State Ethanol and the Monroe Municipal Airport each operate private wells while the rest are located in residential portions of the city.
The change to section 8-4-11 of city code stipulates that "these existing wells must be properly filled and sealed." Language adds that the city clerk must notify owners of current private wells with valid operation permits "that their well operation permit is not transferable and that future new owners will not be entitled to use such private wells." The ordinance specifies the prevention of ground water contamination as the reason for the requirement.
Alderman Richard Thoman voiced concerns about the added use to the city's water system if Badger State were no longer able to utilize its public well, which Kennison said the company uses for much of its water supply.
Language in the ordinance exempts airport wells while still requiring the facility to obtain permits and perform maintenance on operations.
The ordinance was moved back to the committee level for a rewrite, stipulating that commercial businesses be exempt from the required abandonment.
The move was approved on a unanimous vote by aldermen Charles Koch, Ron Marsh, Rob Schilt, Chris Beer, Thoman, Boyce and Miller. Fellow council members Brooke Bauman and Jeff Newcomer were absent from the meeting.
Alderman Michael Boyce said he was previously unaware the code change would impact businesses.
"If there's only a handful of residential wells existing, maybe it would be better to specify in this ordinance that it's regarding residential wells, for obvious reasons," Boyce said.
Council member Tom Miller agreed, after having first questioned City Attorney Dan Bartholf about the effect the ordinance would have on city businesses, namely Badger State Ethanol, which operates on a private well system in addition to being connected to the city water system.
Bartholf explained to the Monroe Common Council during a public hearing regarding the change Tuesday that the code language would essentially eliminate the possibility of any new private wells within city limits. A property transfer would require an existing well on the property to be abandoned, per the new ordinance. Those with current permits could continue private well use, though a lapse in annual renewal would result in a surrender of the well.
Utilities Supervisor Mike Kennison confirmed that a "handful of private wells" translated to roughly five or six. Badger State Ethanol and the Monroe Municipal Airport each operate private wells while the rest are located in residential portions of the city.
The change to section 8-4-11 of city code stipulates that "these existing wells must be properly filled and sealed." Language adds that the city clerk must notify owners of current private wells with valid operation permits "that their well operation permit is not transferable and that future new owners will not be entitled to use such private wells." The ordinance specifies the prevention of ground water contamination as the reason for the requirement.
Alderman Richard Thoman voiced concerns about the added use to the city's water system if Badger State were no longer able to utilize its public well, which Kennison said the company uses for much of its water supply.
Language in the ordinance exempts airport wells while still requiring the facility to obtain permits and perform maintenance on operations.
The ordinance was moved back to the committee level for a rewrite, stipulating that commercial businesses be exempt from the required abandonment.
The move was approved on a unanimous vote by aldermen Charles Koch, Ron Marsh, Rob Schilt, Chris Beer, Thoman, Boyce and Miller. Fellow council members Brooke Bauman and Jeff Newcomer were absent from the meeting.