Contributing writer
Durham City Council selected Gene Duke to fill an unexpired term on the council at its June 5 meeting. The council unanimously recommended Duke to Mayor Mike Sorensen to finish the term of Steve Miller, who resigned from the council because he was moving from Durham.
Tom Harmon reported two renters had moved away with unpaid water bills exceeding the $50 deposit.
The council discussed singling out renters, raising the deposit for everyone, or absorbing uncollected fees exceeding the deposit. The council voted to increase the deposit required for all water hookups to $100.
The city sold the former bank building to David Hein for $1 and “other considerations,” specifically that Hein would pay all costs of the transfer and let the city keep a key and some storage space in the building.
Sorensen reminded the council that it is time to contract for propane for the winter. Last year’s mild winter left the city with propane in the tank, but Sorensen advocated contracting for the usual 700 gallons. The council voted to purchase 700 gallons and prepay for it.