Residents of Country Lakes Estates in Eddyville will continue to drive on gravel roads, unless the subdivision’s developer and the Eddyville City Council come to terms.

Some of the subdivision’s residents recently appealed to the council to pave the subdivision’s streets, Corinne Road and Lesly Road, and take ownership.

The council and city officials have been exploring the issue for the past few months.

This week, though, Mayor Judi Stone said attempts to negotiate an agreement with the developer, Lester Pogue, had been unproductive.

Pogue has so far refused to meet with city officials to discuss options for the streets in question, Stone said.

One of the subdivision’s residents, she added, communicated an offer from Pogue of $10,000 to the city for the streets, with the condition that he be released from any further liabilities.

The council rejected that offer on its face, noting that the resident relaying Pogue’s communications does not hold power of attorney and thus has no say.

“I’d like to get it resolved,” said Council member Allen Aycock, “but without Mr. Pogue willing to come to the table and negotiate, there’s not a whole lot.”

The council also scrutinized a draft of a trash collection contract between the city and Madisonville Disposal.

Council member Nancy Slaton questioned a clause indicating the company’s rate could be adjusted annually based on changes in the consumer price index.

“That wasn’t the way I understood the bid,” she said, adding she believed the rate would be flat for the duration of the contract.

“I don’t like it,” added Council member India Hyde.

City Attorney Marvin Wilson said the CPI adjustment was a fairly common inclusion in bid specifications and contracts, but it could be taken out if the council wished.

“This is a draft,” he said. “We want to write what the city wants.”

Council members also had questions regarding the availability of dumpsters for commercial customers or multi-residential units, such as apartment buildings.

In other business:

• The council directed Wilson to draft an ordinance allowing increases in deposits required of city water customers who have been disconnected for nonpayment.

The current $100 deposit required of new water customers does not recoup the city’s losses incurred by nonpayment from some of its customers, Stone said.

A few customers currently pay a higher deposit of $200, based on their history with the city, she noted.

• The council will next meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2.