Hopkins board changes billing for housing complex

By Phil Cobb | September 5, 2025 |

SKYE POURNAZARI/THE FORUM
Hopkins Aldermen Rick Gladman and Shadoe Miller, Mayor Matt Wray, and City Water Operator Chris Bird look at maps during Monday night’s regular meeting regarding a fence they believe was erected incorrectly on the city right-of-way.

HOPKINS, Mo. — During Tuesday night’s meeting and before a City Hall packed with the community, the Hopkins Board of Aldermen approved changing how the housing project water service is billed, updated its water ordinance and decided to buy a few signs.

The Hopkins Housing Complex, a nonprofit housing facility for low-income residents, is located at 501 E. Phelps St. and offers 16 one-bedroom apartments for rent. The apartments are served by one water meter.

For years, the complex has been billed for 16 separate meters and the complex staff believes it should be changed to only one meter. City Water Operator Chris Bird said he agreed.

“That’s how it was set up,” he said, explaining that previous staff had set up the billing so that there would be 16 minimum charges of $80. “But they didn’t charge any overages.”

Bird said the complex uses around 30,000 gallons of water per month. He said the difference between the bill with 16 meter minimums and no overages, to one meter minimum plus overages would likely be only a few hundred dollars, but that it would benefit the complex.

“We’re just trying to keep it afloat,” Wendy Oberhauser said. “We’re looking for solutions.”

Bird told the board that he agrees with the complex staff that the billing should be changed because there aren’t 16 meters. The city’s line ends at that one meter; how it’s managed after that should be the charge of the complex, he said.

The board agreed to charge the nonprofit for one meter at a commercial rate plus the overages going forward.

Other news

The board amended the city’s water ordinance to include information about late fees on past due accounts. In other water-related news, the board also approved a new form letter that will be sent as a final warning to customers who are overdue on their water bills and face a shutoff. City Clerk Sue Wagner said this new letter will replace the pink cards that didn’t contain all the necessary information and required small handwriting to fit.
Over the summer months the board has been discussing the city’s ordinance regarding tractor trailers parking on city streets. Several trucks have been parked on streets for multiple days with and without loaded down trailers. After locating the most current ordinance, board members approved purchasing six signs that state there is no parking for tractor-trailers for longer than 24 hours. Bird said he might even consider allowing parking for 48 hours because he’s concerned that it might push drivers to sell their loads in other towns, thus pushing business out of town. The board, however, did not update its ordinance to reflect this change. Currently the ordinance does not have a time limitation, only that tractor-trailers may not be parked on city streets. The board wasn’t entirely certain where the signs would need to be installed, but would look into it while waiting for the signs to arrive. Bird said one sign plus a post would cost the city $50.
The board also approved purchasing three signs for the park that state “No Smoking. No Loitering. Park closed at 11 p.m.” Community members asked how the city would enforce the rules and didn’t seem to think smokers would abide by that rule when getting together for events at the park. Alderman Shadoe Miller said that the signs are an initial written warning informing the public of the city’s rules for the park.
Board members answered questions on a form from the Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments regarding the city’s annual project needs list. Miller asked if this would be used to obtain grant funding. Wagner said she didn’t know exactly what it was for, but that yes, it would likely allow the organization to know what project areas might be of interest to the city. The board agreed it would like assistance in several areas of focus including water improvement projects; wastewater improvement projects; street/drainage ditch improvement projects; road and bridge projects; bike, pedestrian and sidewalk improvement projects; possible backup power sources; safe room or outdoor warning siren projects; demolition projects; housing projects; roadway safety projects; transportation-related projects; and economic development projects.
The board, without Alderman Allan Thompson who left the building during discussion, talked about a resident’s fence that they believe has been constructed on the city’s right-of-way. Located in the 300 block of North Second Street, the resident, granddaughter to Thompson, constructed a fence entirely to the street, according to city employee Bird. While looking at maps, and with Alderman Bryson Allen joining the meeting by phone in order to meet a quorum, the board approved sending a letter requiring the demolition of the fence that is in the city’s right-of-way.
Board members approved placing liens on seven more properties with water bills overdue by a minimum of 10 months. The oldest property on the list has had service shut off since 2010. Mayor Wray said City Attorney Taryn Henry will locate the property owners’ names.
Assistant City Clerk Mary Smith told the board that she spoke with Jo Anna Marriott in Burlington Junction about the software the city uses for its water billing. However, Smith needs more time to contact that company. Bird said that the city’s meters are digital, but that the software would likely cost $15,000. He said that if the city is going to look into this software that would allow a customer to pay their bill online, it might be prudent for it to consider what long-term system it would use for automatic meter reading as well. This system, he said, could also provide red flag software to help with water leak detection. The board tabled the topic until Smith could get an idea of the cost.
The board tabled discussion of intersection right-of-way mowing and weed eating until Alderman Allen could be in attendance.