City council approves engineering contract for sewage plant project

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.

Email

Submit

← Back

by Mark Cheffey

The Palmyra City Council last Thursday approved an engineering contract concerning an emergency project at the city’s sewage treatment plant as well as amended an engineering contract for a storm water drainage project.

In addition, the council okayed the purchase of a radio for the city’s emergency management director and swore in a new policeman.

The city is contracting with Klingner & Associates for engineering of an aeration system retrofit for the sewage treatment plant at a cost of $39,700.

Earlier in the summer, one of two aeration rotors sustained a catastrophic failure requiring immediate replacement. The city is currently able to meet Department of Natural Resources requirements with one operating rotor, but if it fails the city would no longer be in compliance.

Mark Bross, an engineer with Klingner, recommenced to the council last month the city would be better off going with a newer more efficient aeration system now rather than replace the rotor.

The city is facing the strong possibility of having to expand and modernize the treatment plant in the near future.

The council also voted unanimously to approve an amendment to an owner-engineer agreement for design of the Main Cross/Bradley/Olive/Spring and Water streets culvert replacement projects.

The amendment adds an additional $33,375 to the engineering costs for the projects totaling $2.5 million.

The council voted unanimously in favor of approving the purchase of a portable radio and assessories for use by the city’s emergency management director for communicating during times of emergency.

The costs of the equipment being purchased from A&W Communications, Inc. of Eolia, Mo. is $13,054.25.

The council voted 4-2 in favor of awarding a bid for catering the city’s Christmas breakfast to the Rebel Pig at a cost of $1,160.

A lower bid of $780 was received from Hy-Vee, but a majority of council members preferred to go with a local caterer.

City Attorney James Lemon updated the council on four ordinances being prepared for council consideration in the near future.

He said a dangerous building ordinance, which would clarify how the city would identify and address dangerous buildings in the city was ready and would be presented at the next council meeting Nov. 3.

He also said an ordinance boosting the cost of city business licenses was also ready for the first reading Nov. 3, noting it would enact something approved by voters during last April’s municipal election.

He said work continues on two ordinances regarding fire inspections and the regulation of storm water runoff.

Regarding ongoing preliminary work in connection with the proposed Stanley/Bailey storm water project, Lemon said it awaits approval for easements from some of the affected property owners.

Mayor Rusty Adrian reported the city recently received FEMA reimbursement for a completed project to replace two of the city’s water wells in the Mark Bottom.

But he said the check only covered about half of the close to $500,000 total cost.

He said the city was preparing to appeal the decision by FEMA. 

Adrian administered the oath of office to Palmyra’s newest police officer, Cameron L. Perkins.

Council member Ellen Goodwin said the Finance Committee she chairs will be meeting this week with two finalists for providing the city’s health insurance before making a recommendation to the council

Police Chief Eddie Bogue visited with the council about working with the street department on improving parking area designation along Main Street downtown in order to improve traffic safety at the intersections.

Mayor Adrian asked that a plan be developed to implement the improvements by next summer.

Street Commissioner Austin Dornburger said his crews have moved from pavement patching work to removal of leaves and noted his department’s new leaf collecting equipment is working well.