Piedmont’s water and gas bonds were restructured during Tuesday’s city council meeting. The council unanimously approved a motion allowing the city to refinance the bonds, refunding two bonds from 2002 and 2003, and adding $1 million for capitol improvements.

Utility Manager Lee Young has been working on plans to change out the city’s water meters, replacing them with newer models that he says will save the city money but not allowing water to flow through without being paid for.

“I think that’s just something that’s sorely needed,” said Utility Manager Lee Young. “All of our meters are 30 years old, and that’s old for a water meter.”

The $1 million will be paid over a 30-year term at 4.08 percent interest. The city’s annual payment will decrease from $380,000 to $146,000 when the old bonds are refunded. The funds will be available to the city on Sept. 15

The city council approved for the purchase of several plots of land next door to the Eubanks Welcome Center. Six lots will cost the city $2,000 with the stipulation from the current owners, Tawana and Phillip Fuqua, that three of the lots be used for a park. Mayor Brian Young said once the land is purchased the city can demolish a badly burned home on the lot nearest to the welcome center.

Charter Cable will be increasing prices of the company’s broadcast television services for Piedmont residents, Young said.

Young proclaimed September as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month for the city of Piedmont. Young read a proclamation during the meeting that stated that during the past four decades obesity rates have soared among all age groups, increasing more than fourfold among children ages 6 to 11.

The council approved a trip to Sarasota Florida for Piedmont Power and Light Supervisor Phillip Johnson. Johnson will be headed to florida to look at a used digger truck he would like to purchase for his department. The 16 year old digger truck the city currently owns is the only truck able to plant power poles, said Johnson, and the cost of maintaining it have become too great. The $60,000 cost of the truck is lower, said Johnson, than many he has looked at in surrounding areas. The city will be required to open the purchase up for bids, said Young.

Piedmont Police Chief Steven Tidwell invited city council members and the public to an open house at the police station after the council meeting. Tidwell said that the department has made several improvements to the facility, performing general remodeling and painting to the older station.

In other business: the city paid bills in total of $249, 192.83