The Austin City Council approved a resolution to annex 28 Austin Township properties into the city of Austin at Monday night’s meeting.

The Austin Township board previously voted on Nov. 18 to approve the annexation, which includes just more than 96 acres of land.

City officials have said a majority of the 28 property owners were onboard with a plan to annex and install sewer lines in that area, northwest of Austin in the Turtle Creek 1 neighborhood. The properties will be part of Austin starting next year.

Homeowners approached the city earlier this year seeking annexation for the city’s sewer and water services, after property owners received notice from Mower County that a majority of their sewage systems weren’t compliant to state code.

The council initially appeared hesitant to annex properties after the city dealt with a protracted battle over sewer assessments to former Lansing Township properties earlier this year. One potential solution is to offer property owners a choice: Either pay the assessment cost for planned sewer work over the next several years, or wait to hook up to the sewer system. Non-compliant homes would have either 90 days or until July 1, 2015 to hook up to the sewer system, whichever time period is longer.

According to third-party appraisals, a sewer project could result in about a $20,000 assessment per property. Lang said the city has secured grants for residents to cover half that cost, but property owners would have to pay the full $20,000.

In other news, the council:

—Denied resident Jerry Hicks’ appeal to remove the “potentially dangerous dog” designation from his mastiff/neapolitan. Hicks’ dog, about 128 pounds, reportedly jumped at a 12-year-old girl near Galloway park as she rode by on her bicycle. The dog caused some minor scratches and small puncture wounds. The injuries were not serious, but the city’s attorney said the dog’s actions met the criteria for a potentially dangerous dog, which serves as a precursor if the dog shows aggression again, at which point council members could vote to deem the dog as “dangerous” and take further action.

—Approved an HRA/CHIP request for partnership to purchase property at 409 Second St. SW.

—Set plans for qualifications and rates for city health insurance for 2014 and to adopt health insurance plans and require employee contribution for for said plans for non-bargaining unit employees for 2014. The board also made a resolution to approve new long-term disability carrier rates.

—Ordered preparation of a report of 2014 street construction and sewer projects in southwest and northeast Austin.

—Set a public hearing for Dec. 16, 2013, on rezoning property located in the 900-1000 blocks of 15th, 16th and 17th avenues from an R-1 single family residential district to an R-0 multi-family residential office district.

—The board also voted to move ahead with plans to promote Chad Heard to superintendent of the Waste Water Treatment Plant upon Jim Samuel’s retirement. Norb Eggert would then fill Heard’s vacant position of operations supervisor. The transition could happen by March 3.