Atchison City Commissioners were brought up to speed on the KDHE mandated inflow and infiltration sewer line removal process.

 Commissioners heard a presentation from Utilities Director Mike Mathews describing why they want to remove I & I.

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 They must be able to mostly eliminate the problem by April 1st and have a plan to eliminate it on 11th and 14th streets on the same dates.

 However, this poses issues for 22 homes that tested positive during smoke testing last fall.

 One has a foundation drain while the others are tied into the sanitary sewer system.

 KDHE will not fund for the modification of the drains and the cost may end up in the homeowners’ hands, though the cost is anticipated to be fairly low.

 Eventually, these kinds of scenarios may cause around 38 hundred homes in the city that fall out of the mandate.

 Discussions on how to remedy problems are still being discussed.

 KDHE has mandated that I & I be eliminated from affected areas in Atchison by the end of 2013.

 Homes that were built after 1956 should not be affected by these issues.

 In other action, Commissioners unanimously approved to modify regulations on tow truck rules and regulations.

 There was a 30 dollar day towing and 40 dollar night towing ceiling placed on tow trucks by the city that hadn’t been modified since the early 1980’s.

 Commissioners modified the ceiling to vary, making the tow company charge a rate within reason.

 Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson reported to Commissioners that current tow standards run at least 60 dollars.

 Commissioners said they reserve the right to re-visit the ordinance if they get reports that the companies are abusing fee charges.

 Commissioners also set the final dates for the 2013 budget workshops.

 Commissioners will meet from five to eight the evenings of May 30th, June 7th and June 12th.

 Those casual meetings will be open to the public.

 Commissioners also unanimously approved a 27 thousand 372 dollar bid for Bottorff Construction to replace concrete at the Santa Fe Depot.

 They also unanimously set a public hearing date for May 7th to discuss unilateral annexation of selected properties in downtown Atchison.

 Commissioners will eventually visit options for the upcoming 2012 City Pool season.

 Some of the topics that will be discussed in the future include extending the pool season until Labor Day weekend, lowering the admission rates to the pool and offering extended hours during hot days.

 The city also will establish a 70 dollar deposit to have a plot at the upcoming community garden with a 30 dollar return if the plot is properly cleaned up.

 Discussion is still ongoing on what should be done to traffic lights on 5th through 7th and Kansas as well as 4th and Main.

 City Manager Trey Cocking says all options are being considered, including a model where there would be only a two way stop on 7th street with open traffic flow on Kansas.