Pictured, Waterloo City Clerk Barb Pace administers the oath of office to new Ward IV alderman Russ Row during Monday’s council meeting. (Corey Saathoff photo)

Retired city building inspector and code enforcement officer Russ Row Jr. was appointed Monday night to the Ward IV aldermanic seat on the Waterloo City Council that was vacated by Vicki Koerber upon her recent election to the county board.

Row retired from his prior city position in October.

“I look forward to working with everybody,” Row told the council following his swearing in by city clerk Barb Pace.

Koerber was on hand to welcome her successor to the council.

“I know you will do a great job for us,” Koerber said.

In other news from Monday’s meeting, city budget officer Shawn Kennedy reported that Illinois American Water will increase its rate by 7 percent effective Jan. 1 due to ongoing enhancement and maintenance of the company’s water and wastewater infrastructure.

Kennedy said the rate increase will be discussed in committee before a decision is made as to how that increase is passed down to city water users. Such an increase would amount to an additional $2.82 per month for Waterloo water users.

Public works director Tim Birk reported that city workers salted and maintained city streets from 4:30 p.m. to midnight on Friday due to the icy conditions.

Waterloo Police Chief Mike Douglas said his department handled 19 traffic incidents as a result of the icy conditions, with 10 of those requiring accident reports.

Lastly, the council approved a 19-year lease agreement with the Waterloo Park District, which is a continuation of an existing agreement.

The next Waterloo City Council meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at City Hall.