By Jim Reece -

The Plymouth City Council could decide today whether to raise its water and sewer rates in order to pay for its water pipeline. Last Thursday’s regular meeting brought offers of pipeline funding from developers and a consultant for the Ione Band of Miwok Indians. Peter Teteishi, consultant for the Ione Miwoks, reminded the city that Tribal Chairman Matthew Franklin had sent an August 5th offering to pay for both the building of the pipeline and the upgrades to the wastewater system, “as part of negotiating a (Municipal Services Agreement),” paying for both, “once our land is taken into trust.” Councilman Greg Baldwin said any discussion would have to wait until the land were taken into trust for the tribe. Bob Reeder of Reeder-Sutherland, developers seeking 1,100 units around Plymouth, sought annexation to the city and said his company would guarantee payments of the interest on a loan to pay for the city’s portion of a pipeline. He said his company in July offered future-year funding from water impact fees, paying 180,000 dollars over 4 years. In the long-term offer, Reeder said his company was “willing to give guaranteed income,” without a home built, that they would take over the loan payment 100 percent. Mayor Jon Colburn said that water and sewer rate hikes would hurt single older women, including one “old lady” who lived on a fixed income and whose utility bills he shared with the council and audience. “There’s an inordinate amount of widows in this town, probably 50,” Colburn said, all living on fixed incomes. Vice Mayor Patricia Fordyce said she has “sat in the audience for years and heard about the poor little old lady who lives down the street,” which the council used in arguing against rate hikes and against capital improvements. Fordyce said “She should be dead by now because I’ve been hearing about her for 20 years.” Councilwoman Patricia Shackleton agreed “to an extent” with Fordyce. Shackleton said it was “terrible to sit up here and vote on these things and make people pay more.” Looking back on when the ditch broke down and townspeople couldn’t have a glass of water without boiling it, she said “we should have raised rates.” On the other hand, she said, “I know a little old lady who ate dog food, who lived on 35 dollars worth of dog food. I don’t see any solution but getting this pipeline.” Fordyce asked Flynn about Reeder’s offer, and whether the city should have a financier look into it. “We’re trying to get as much as we can and they are trying to give as little as they can,” Said Flynn, noting that he would he would talk to Reeder and hopefully find a resolution in the next 45 days “They will pay, the question is when?”