Nancy Raper brought her concerns Monday to Paden City Council about why she and her husband Tim are no longer allowed to park in front of their home on Robinson Street.

Earlier this year, the state’s Department of Highways asked council to prohibit parking along Robinson Street because it is a state road.

The DOH sought council’s blessing, which council provided since it has no power to regulate state roads.

Raper sought answers about a letter from the DOH that asked council to restrict parking.

City Recorder Tammi Billiter said she had thought there had been a letter, but she was mistaken. Billiter said after contacting the DOH to see if there had ever been any letter, she was learned that there was no letter but rather a verbal conversation between DOH and city leaders a point confirmed by Mayor John Hopkins.

Billiter said to Raper, “I’m sorry. I thought there was a letter.”

Nancy Raper said she has contacted state legislators among others to address the parking situation because she feels her family is being singled out.

“Do you not feel it is discrimination?” she asked.

Hopkins reminded Raper that Robinson Street is a state road, so council can’t do anything to help her resolve her problems. As Hopkins has said to her in previous meetings, she needs to take up the matter with the state, not council.

Councilman Bob Postlethwait added, “The state is going to do this regardless.”

Nancy Raper contended that parking has been allowed on the street for decades, but now her family among others are scrambling for parking.

“This is discrimination toward the residents of Robinson Street,” she said.

In other business, council is going to explore proposals to pump more water to residents of Meadows Heights.

In October, the state’s Public Service Commission recently inspected water pressure problems associated with Meadow Heights. The PSC reported that the city has the ability to pump more water to that area and recommended increasing water pressure as well infrastructure improvements.

Public Works Superintendent Josh Billiter offered two proposals to accomplish this aim. First, run a 6 inch water line from an existing booster station to the affected low pressure area or second, pay for a booster station that would provide better water pressure for more residents. Billiter said the second option would cost more money.

Speaking of water, council approved the purchase of a global control valve for $8,755 for use at the city’s water plant. And work is being planned for upgrades at the city’s sewer plant.

As to storm water drainage, Hopkins said the city is seeking federal funds to re-mediate these problems.

If it a snowy winter, the city is prepared. Plans are being made to equip one of the city’s trucks with a snowplow. Council approved the purchase of several tons cinders to disperse on the roads for the winter season.

In other matters, council approved a motion for charging a $10 fee to do the fingerprint work required when residents fill out the paperwork that may be needed for background checks from potential employers among others.

• Jim Cork Bowen of the Paden City Economic Development Authority announced that the authority’s Health and Recreation Building is getting new public restrooms that are needed to replace the facility’s current bathrooms, which are several decades old.

• Council gave the green light for city hall to pursue citations against property owners with dilapidated structures at the corner Work and Seventh Avenue and at the corner of Broadway and Seventh Avenue.

• Council will explore a possible tree trimming ordinance.