The Board of Public Works heard updates on the Tinsman Sewer Project and the water main replacement project, discussed Amendment 4 and approved a proposal concerning the monitoring at Crowder Road Tuesday night at City Hall.
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The Board of Public Works heard updates on the Tinsman Sewer Project and the water main replacement project, discussed Amendment 4 and approved a proposal concerning the monitoring at Crowder Road Tuesday night at City Hall.
The Tinsman Sewer Project is still awaiting paperwork. According to City Administrator Kerry Sampson, the city council authorized the signing of the grant for 60 percent of the funding for the project but are still waiting on the corporate resolution. Meanwhile, Trenton Municipal Utilities Director Chad Davis has been working on plugging any leaks in the work area and making sure that no other connections are causing problems. Sampson stated that once the paperwork is received and signed, the city will then need to prepare a bid package and it may be spring before work can begin.
The water main replacement project is near completion on Oklahoma Avenue. The last service connections will be done as weather permits. The next scheduled area on the project is East Eighth.
Sampson addressed the board concerning a letter he received from Burns & McDonnell regarding a proposal to provide groundwater sampling, analysis and reporting services in the vicinity of the underground storage tanks at the Crowder Road facility. Due to petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in the soil and groundwater in the vicinity, the Department of Natural Resources had previously required the city to install monitoring wells. The soil and tanks have already been eliminated and the city hopes that with continued monitoring the area will be cleared and the issue closed in a year. The board approved the proposal from Burns & McDonnell to provide the monitoring and analysis at a cost of $5,685.
Sampson discussed the benefits of Amendment 4 and his hopes to educate the public before voting next Tuesday. The amendment, which allows municipalities to form power plant cooperatives, would provide long term benefits such as reduced costs to customers and improved availability. Sampson stated that there is always the need for additional generation and wanted to remind residents that the amendment does not cost money, would not raise taxes, would provide long term savings to customers and would assure power. The board approved a motion to make a formal recommendation to the public to vote yes on Amendment 4.
The board discussed future plans to replace old generators, for example the 75-year-old Crowder facility, and the advantage of purchasing soon, since according to a Cummins representative, the diesel unit prices are extremely low at this time but are available on a limited basis. Sampson stated that an analysis would be developed and brought back to the board for review.
The board heard an update from Davis concerning a periodic inspection of the city’s water system performed by DNR last Friday. He stated that there were no major concerns and he expects a favorable report.
Davis also reported that he had met with DNR regarding sludge and the wastewater plant problems. He stated that they are working together toward an economical solution that will maintain compliance with DNR regulations.
The board held an executive session for personnel matters. No announcement was made.
The next Board of Public Works meeting will be held on Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m.