City reviews water distribution needs
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
The Mount Ayr City Council held a brief meeting on March 6, highlighting the need to change its water tower agreement, and potentially building a new water reservoir, or rehabbing an existing tower in the future.
The council voted to terminate the existing partnership with Utility Service Co., Inc.
The 10 year contract with Utility Services Co. has expired and the partnership is being discontinued, in favor of other potential options.
Discussion shifted to the existing towers, the three of which date from 1913,1978, and approximately 1994.
The age of the towers, plus the need of a water tower to maintain water pressure, and not rely only on the local booster station, prompted the idea.
At this time, the possibility is still in the exploratory and research phase.
The city council is in discussion with Garden and Associates to get their recommendations as to the need of a new or refurbished water tower, but any action need further research.
The projected cost of refitting an existing tower was estimated to be $275,000, the construction of a water tower alternative was $500,000, and demolition of existing towers at $60,000.
Brent Wise put forward a motion to create a strategic planning committee, consisting of Brent Wise, Jessica Bishop, Amanda Cannon, Jim Murphy, and Josh Vanderflught; with the potential to add Ryan Martin and Tracy Nickle.
The purpose of the committee is to help improve the existing general plan the city has in place, to handle development and growth.
Council member Brad Elliott recommended the committee include a member from the county youth, as well as a member who is over 65 to give a better representation of the county population.
Wise also reported on the actions taken by the city for Sanitary Sewage response, following last weeks sewage bypass.
Wise reported that proper report had been submitted to the DNR and all necessary actions had been taken to mitigate the spill.
The starting wage of the new employee, an assistant to Wise, and bids for new water tower construction were tabled for further research.
The decisions to approve Donald Stark’s tax abatement on his new home, and the renewal of alcohol sales licenses for Still Smokin’ and Dollar General, were approved with no discussion or objection.
