Des Moines' North Hill is going to acquire a sewer system.

A petition in favor of sewer service required signatures from 51 percent of landowners within the improvement district to be successful.

The proposal had already received 51.6 percent approval before the city council considered the item, according to petition proponents.

But some area residents are contesting the petition and reporting an improper signature gathering process.

"The citizens are looking very much at the city and are well aware that you have land there and they are relying on you to step up and say yes," Des Moines resident Cheri McWethy told council members on July 26.

She is a citizen who wants her neighborhood on a sewer system as opposed to septic, Mayor Bob Sheckler noted.

Mayor Pro Tem Scott Thomasson said the council is signing the petition under the premise that it won't cost the city of Des Moines a dollar.

"By not signing we're making a statement just as much as we are by signing. So, the absence of signing has a meaning as well. It means that we don't approve and that's not where I stand," Councilman Dan Sherman stated.

The cost to each North Hill property for installing sewer lines in the neighborhood is $22,740. The additional cost of connecting to the system has not been specified.

Engineering estimates place the cost of the project at $2,955,246. The Southwest Suburban Sewer District will fund it by selling municipal bonds or self-financing.

North Hill sewer lines will serve 134 parcels of land in Des Moines, including one parcel the city owns.

Lawmakers approved the motion to sign the petition for Southwest Suburban Sewer District's proposed Utility Local Improvement District on a 4 to 2 vote.

Sheckler, Sherman, Councilman Ed Pina and Councilwoman Susan White voted yes.

Thomasson and Councilman Dave Kaplan voted no.

Pina also advocated city support for the proposed replacement property tax levy to continue King County Emergency Medical Services, which would include funding from the city.

He anticipates voting to endorse the levy at an upcoming meeting of the Suburban Cities Association's Public Issues Committee.

"I'm absolutely astounded that we have to keep reauthorizing this basic, essential service. Everybody would consider this to be an essential service," Sherman said.

"If I'm correct that we were promised there was going to be a permanent solution and there isn't one, then I say tell them no, and if that isn't the case go ahead and support this but with the statement never again. This is an essential service that needs a permanent funding source."

Lawmakers delayed action on a motion expressing support for the levy until their next meeting.