Ranier sets rates, By TRINA SEVERSON, Staff Writer

The Ranier City Council Tuesday passed an ordinance finalizing water rates for residents and non-residents supplied with city water.
City of Ranier ordinance No. 131 amends several existing ordinances relating to water rates and billing. Under the new ordinance, effective Jan. 1, the minimum quarterly rate of $76.45 will apply to the first 6,000 gallons of water used and a rate of $6.61 will be charged for each additional 1,000 gallons or portion of 1,000 gallons used. A fee of $20 for first, third and fourth quarter, and a fee of $26.36 for second quarter will be added and deposited into the water main escrow accounts to cover water line maintenance and replacement.
The Ranier Municipal Liquor Store’s operating statement for December was approved with a profit of $1,236 and a year-to-date profit of $43,419. Additionally, the Ranier Recreation Club pull tab lease was renewed from April 2008 through March 2010.
The council also heard concerns from residents Thomas Hall and John Bruggeman regarding the intensity of security lights installed along the Canadian National depot in Ranier. Hall suggested the city request the lights be shaded or adjusted to only illuminate when needed, such as during inspections. Mayor Ed Oerichbauer said the lights were installed at the request of U.S. Customs and that the city would need to contact the Department of Homeland Security to discuss ways to make the lights more hospitable to nearby residents.