Discussion regarding how to correct a clarifier at the wastewater treatment plant continued at the meeting of the City of Gallatin held Dec. 9.
According to City Administrator Lance Rains, during the flooding on Memorial Day Weekend the clarifier was raised by nine inches on one side and two inches on the other side from the hydraulic pressure.
The mayor was authorized to sign and execute the engineer agreement for professional services with Allstate Consultants. The contract is to perform a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) that will be used to give the city some alternatives on how to correct the clarifier problem. The city has applied to State and Federal Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA/FEMA) for declaration grant funds and have been told that the city “should” be granted up to $128,900 for the repairs, which probably isn’t going to cover the cost of repairs.
The contract with Allstate will also provide for an overall wastewater system evaluation.
“We want to reduce the amount of infiltration and inflow water getting into our system that we have to treat,” Rains said. “By reducing the amount of wastewater that we have to treat we will also reduce the cost of treatment.”
The city won’t have a cost for fixing the clarifier until after the PER is completed.
For help with financing the project, the board approved an application for a Clean Water Small Community Engineering Assistance Grant. The grant is through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and for improvements related to new permit requirements and/or inflow and infiltration reduction. Rains has also been in contact with Community Development Bock Grant, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development for other sources of funding to utilize.
People Service Inc. was approved for operation, maintenance and management of the sewage facility. City employees take care of the collection system and help with the treatment facility when repairs are needed.
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Ross Construction did not attend the meeting to discuss an outstanding $15,000 payment on the new water plant. The board agreed the city will not make the $15,000 payment until the final punch list for outstanding repairs is complete. A punch list is a list of items agreed upon in the contract.
The contract with Milbourn Construction, LLC, for roof replacement on the city’s electrical power plant building was authorized.
The City of Gallatin would like to invite residential and commercial customers to enter the annual holiday lighting contest. One residential customer and one commercial customer will each receive a $75 credit on their electric bill. Please call city hall at 660-663-2011, if you would like to enter the contest. The deadline to enter is Dec. 22.
The police department is setting up and getting ready to fill orders for Toys for Tots.
The November transaction report was approved.
Bills in the amount of $341,345.54 were approved for payment.
The board reviewed the November 2019 Financial Review.
An ordinance was approved authorizing the board and mayor to sign a salt storage lease agreement with Larry Johnson.
Healthcare coverage agreements were approved with Lifestyle Health Plans and Monitor Life Insurance Company of New York for 2020 medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for city full-time employees.
The board discussed buying back years of service for employees for the LAGERS Retirement Plan. The board requested to leave the LAGERSs estimated cost in the 2020 budget, but the board would like more time to become more familiar with the LAGERS program before they consider approving the retirement plan.
The board discussed the employee request to increase the comp time hours that can be accrued. The board isn’t interested in changing the policy right now. They would like to get all positions filled and all employees trained prior to changing the comp time policy.
Mayor Ballew read and signed the Week of Service Proclamation recognizing May 6-13, 2020, as Bright Futures Week for our children and youth to participate in volunteer activities for the betterment of our community, our state, and our nation.
The Park Board received three bids for 2020 mowing as follows: Down to Earth $420; Legendary Lawn Care $700/$800; Michael Walker $1,100. The Park Board approved the bid from Down to Earth. Administrator Rains will work with Down to Earth to draft a contract and collect insurance requirements, and then an ordinance will be presented to the board for approval.
The board will meet on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. to discuss the 2020 budget.
Police Chief Mark Richards submitted an activity report dated Dec. 9 for the board to review: one theft; two agency assistance; two welfare checks; one peace disturbance; one building check; one theft, automobile; one abandoned vehicle; one recovered stolen vehicle; three vehicle lockouts; two medical assists. There are two dogs in the pound.
Closed session was held to consider the hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the regular meeting for the City of Gallatin held on Monday, Dec. 9, at city hall. Present: Mayor Barb Ballew, President of Board John Whitfield, Aldermen Steve Evans, Dan Lockridge, Carol Walker, City Administrator Lance Rains, City Clerk Hattie Rains, Police Chief Mark Richards, and Dan McCann.