SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday April 17, 2018
The Board of Aldermen held a special meeting on Tuesday April 17, 2018 at 6:30 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Alice Kezar, Keith Kohley, Calvin Wilson and Ron Johnson. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie and City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were Lois Kolb, Carol Coe and Sally Carroll from the McDonald County Press.
Mayor Richmond called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
Mayor Richmond acknowledged Bruce Hively to discuss upgrades, grants and I and I (inflow and infiltration) for the wastewater treatment plant. David noted there are no citations and the City is not in trouble with DNR (Department of Natural Resources), but if the I and I are not corrected, there will be an issue. David noted we need to get ahead of it.
It was discussed that the treatment plant is old and has issues that need addressed. There are cracks in the mains that need repaired. Mr. Hively suggested having a smoke test done through MRWA (Missouri Rural Water Association) and to have a camera look down into the lines and find the issues. Mr. Hively explained there are ways to line the pipes without having to replace them. David noted there is one that needs replaced and a new gravity line is needed.
Mr. Hively informed the Board there are four types of ways to get funding to repair the problems. Loans based on the household medium from the 2010 Census show interest rate would be about 3.125%. There are also State and Federal programs, DNR has loans and the CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) are able to help also. The CDBG grant would be up to $500,000.00 based on what needed to be done and they will only help up to 45% and the City is responsible for 55% Mr. Hively suggested having a rate study done through Midwest Assistance Program or MRWA. He noted that if you are going to borrow, put out it before the people and let them vote on a bond issue. He feels it’s a good idea to get the people involved. If the City does not want to have to borrow the money, get an estimate of what it will cost to do the repairs and build a rate schedule to build up the money for the repairs.
Mr. Hively also suggested looking into engineers. He suggested getting a small search grant (up to $30,000.00) to pay to put together an engineering report. Mr. Hively then noted that he can give the City a list of engineers and suggested looking into the last 4 to 5 projects they have done to find out if those people were happy with the work and make a decision from there.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn the special meeting at 6:59 P.M. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.