Special Meeting
September 25, 2007
The
Mayor and Council of the City of Fairbury met in special joint session with
the Board of Public Works in the Council Chambers, 612 D Street, Fairbury,
Nebraska, on the 25th day of September, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor
E.M. Mueller called the meeting to order for the City Council. Board of
Public Works (BOPW) Chair Shirley Howell called the meeting to order for the
BOPW.
Notice of meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in the
Fairbury Journal News, Fairbury, Nebraska, the designated method of giving
notice, as shown by affidavit of publication. The Open Meetings Act is
posted in the Council Chambers as required by law.
Roll call found the following Council Members present: Brown, Phillips,
Byrd, Nelson, Bender, and Polson. BOPW members present: Howell, Preston,
Richards. Absent: Schultis, Schacht.
Councilmember Trimm arrived at 7:04 p.m.
A
discussion on the progress of the project to extend water lines to the
Wildridge Development was conducted. City Administrator Jim Ferneau stated
the developers are awaiting approval of their plans from the State of
Nebraska and that the Water Department intends to begin its share of the
work in the next week or so. Ferneau stated Water Superintendent Jeff
Sweetser is planning on 2 solid weeks of work to complete the line extension
to Wildridge Development and that with this schedule, the project will be
completed prior to when the developer has a need for water service. Ferneau
informed the BOPW and Council that materials will be ordered in the City of
Fairbury’s name and paid for with LB840 funds. Superintendent of Utilities
Michael Beachler stated Lineweber will be doing digging work on the
project. Ferneau concluded by stating crops will be harvested prior to the
time when work on the Wildridge line extension project begins.
Fire
hydrant maintenance and inspections were discussed. Fire Chief Eric Voss
distributed copies of maps illustrating hydrant locations as well as a
computer printout as an example of information maintained on hydrants.
Information tracked includes location, barrel size, valve size, and main
size. According to Voss, the data entry is time consuming and that of the
220 hydrants, approximately ½ of them have been entered into the software;
2/3 of hydrants have been inspected. BOPW chairperson Shirley Howell
inquired as to life expectancy of hydrants and replacement/repair costs
incurred thus far. Voss stated they haven’t had to do major repairs as of
yet; Assistant Superintendent of Utilities Larry Naiman stated approximately
$6000 has been spent on hydrant repair to date. Mayor Mueller inquired as
to inventory of hydrants kept on hand; Naiman replied that 7 hydrants are
normally kept in inventory. Voss concluded by stating Sweetser and the
Water Department have been great to work with on hydrant maintenance and
inspection.
Beachler
provided BOPW members and Council with an overview of current and future
utility projects. Beachler stated Line Department projects include the
replacement of aging underground lines, updates to the Kansas hill line to
accommodate a Livingston Enterprises expansion, and the elimination of
step-downs to increase system capacity. Beachler stated the Water Dept is
working on the north E Street project and will soon be beginning work on the
Wildridge Development project. According to Beachler, the Water Filtration
System in running in good, effective order and that past filter replacement
problems have been worked out and are under control. Beachler provided
information on the Waste Water Treatment Plant, stating a blower pump is
currently in the process of being rebuilt.
Howell
requested an overview of a problem that occurred with a new transformer
installed at Tetra Micronutrients. Beachler stated a rebuilt transformer
was purchased from Soloman Electric, a reputable firm whom the utility
purchases transformers from frequently. The transformer was installed over
a weekend at which time voltage checks were fine. On the following Monday,
a 250 amp fuse blew and the transformer failed. Beachler stated the failure
was due to the transformer, not the installation. The transformer was
returned to Soloman, who is rebuilding it at no extra cost to the City.
Beachler concluded by stating transformer rebuild should be complete in the
next 2-3 months.
Mayor
Mueller introduced Interim City Attorney Tobias Tempelmeyer and stated he
has discussed with Tempelmeyer the drafting of an ordinance to prevent the
Council from taking BOPW funds for General Fund use.
Byrd made
a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Bender.
On roll call, Brown,
Phillips, Byrd, Trimm, Nelson, Bender, and Polson voted “yes.” Motion
carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
E. M. Mueller, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tami K. Dandliker, City Clerk
