"We screwed up," admitted Mayor Laurel Brady at the Aug. 6 Mapleton City Council meeting. "We screwed up and need to apologize to the people," said City Council member Mike Cobia. The issue was water rates and the council room was packed with citizens anxious to voice their concerns at water bills that suddenly showed a huge increase.

"We cannot achieves affordable water, protect culinary resources and conserve water (as per the state mandated water conservation policies) without putting in the pressurized irrigation system. Part of the increase in costs goes to that, part goes to make up the deficits because we have not been charging enough."

"We believed the rate increase would put the rate at about $60 a month per household, but we realize it had a huge impact, more than we had anticipated."

The council had previously decided to apply new water rates to the city water bills, and the July bills were the first to reflect the new rates. Base rates increased and a new "tiered structure" was added that increased rates for higher water usage.

Citizens with large lots and larger water needs were reporting July bills of up to $600.

Mayor Brady explained that $20 million will be required to build the pressurized water system and that an average increase of $37 per household was needed to make those expenses. The new rate structure was supposed to accomplish that average increase but contrary to expectations seemed to hit some citizens hard.

The council passed a motion to re-do the tiered structure for water rates, reconsider the base rate and allow for a rate adjustment for those people hit hard by the July bill.

Another agenda item, a re-zone of property at 1590 West 2000 North from professional office to high density housing also attracted the participation of anxious citizens, most of them neighbors to the proposed development. The applicants requesting the zone change were Richard Miner and Leland Bird, represented by Rob Miller.

Miller presented a 3-D model of the proposed development, described as high quality condominiums. At previous meetings, the project was described as consisting of 15 units but Miller proposed a zone change only at this time without committing to a specific number of housing units, stating that could be negotiated at a later time.

Neighbors objected to the proposal on the grounds of safety, citing increased traffic and the incompatibility of high density housing with the surrounding single family homes. After a lengthy discussion, the council voted 3 to 5 against the re-zone application.

In other matters, Chris and Brian Trapnell were recognized by the city for their participation in the annual 24th of July fireworks display the last few years. The Trapnells have largely funded the display, planned it and even set off the fireworks. Robert Sabin was recognized for his services to the city.

Dave Simpson requested a building permit for one lot of their proposed development in advance of the construction of a required water tank. The Mayor stated that the council would confer with the city attorney regarding city liability for fire protection and further demanded that Simpson work out engineering details with the city engineer and comply with regulations set by the Mapleton fire chief and then the building could go ahead.

Eldon Taylor appeared before the council to request a reconsideration of the trail easement through his property. He stated that he is unable to sell it with the current proposed trail running across it as no potential homeowners want a trail across their front yard.

Council member Ann Tolley questioned why this issue was appearing before the council, and not going through the Trails Committee and Planning Commission.

"We were given no information, no heads up on this issue. I am not happy at all that this is on the agenda." The council recommended that Taylor work with the Planning Commission on any proposed changes to the trail as currently designed.

The council passed a petition for further consideration of an annexation request brought by Mike Holm.