MENDOTA – The Mendota City Council handled several items of business at its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 4.

The main topic of conversation was whether or not to increase the rent for Mendota Area Senior Services, which occupies part of the Mendota Civic Center. The city currently charges MASS $250 per month. The city is proposing to raise the monthly rent to $450. MASS is asking that the monthly charge go up $50 per month in each of the next four years.

The city pays all of the utilities and maintenance for the civic center, and also for a deep cleaning to the area on a quarterly basis. The electric bill for the building averages $1,800 per month.

No action was taken by the council. Mayor David Boelk referred the matter to committee, which will have a recommendation for the full council at the next regular meeting.

Alderman John Holland informed fellow council members that he will be reaching out to city department heads soon to beginning scheduling budget meetings for February.

Water Department superintendent Tim Kimrey said Aqua Backflow of Elgin will be surveying all homes in the city for backflow prevention purposes. Postcards will be sent to all homeowners requesting information for each residence. Responses will be offered in a variety of ways. Homeowners should be receiving the survey card by the end of January.

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be Monday, Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m.