SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The spirit of compromise regarding the city’s ongoing sewer-services debate appeared during Monday’s City Council work session.

After giving fellow council members two weeks to pore over the research he has compiled on the health and public safety risks associated with improperly separated water and sewer lines, District 1 Councilman Dennis Dismuke again asked his colleagues to consider adopting the standards and specifications outlined in the city’s existing franchise agreement with Baldwin County Sewer Service LLC as a minimum requirement for the installation and maintenance of sewer lines within the city limits.

“I think it’s a fair compromise, and I think it’s something we need to seriously consider,” Dismuke said.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike McMillan said after careful consideration of the research Dismuke provided — illustrating primarily separation standards adopted in other parts of the state and country — he feels it’s time to “move it forward.”

Specifically, McMillan thinks a sit-down with BCSS officials is in order to “ask their opinion on some of these things (that) are not part of their standards and specifications,” particularly, the possibility of 10-foot separation between water and sewer lines.

“No offense, but I think we’d be better off to have a meeting with them without you there,” McMillan told Dismuke.

Dismuke, who has been petitioning for the adoption of minimum standards for more than two years, said he has “no problem” being excluded from the BCSS meeting, but he did request a civil engineer be present during said discussions.

District 5 Councilwoman Mary Brabner agreed to participate in the meeting, which Mayor Joe Bonner requested be scheduled as soon as possible.

Dismuke has argued that if the city adopts the standards and specifications already set forth in the utility company’s franchise agreement with the city, there would be no justification for increased costs to residents.

During the ensuing regular meeting, Deborah Garrison, secretary for the Wakefield Homeowners Association, presented the council with copies of a resolution signed by the organization’s five-member board of directors admonishing city leaders for failing to adopt minimum sewer standards and specifications to date.

Garrison said the “situation presents significant health and safety issues” due to the “extreme risk of cross-contamination or infiltration.” The resolution states that board members are “appalled” by the city’s inaction.