With Gallatin’s water production running 50,000 gallons over the daily average, the city board held a discussion on next steps at their Feb. 22 meeting.
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Public Works Director Mark Morey stated that the water plant is running nearly 13 hours daily as opposed to their normal 8 hours. Morey has reached out to Public Water Supply District (PWSD) No. 2 with concerns about the increased usage. Morey expects that the city crews will find more water leaks or busted meters in the coming weeks.
Last week the crews repaired a water main break on West Van Buren. The break caused over 300,000 gallons of water loss. They reportedly had to get through over 18 inches of frost under the street before they could make necessary repairs. Through the cold weather spurts, crews have had to thaw and/or replace around a dozen water meters.
The city reviewed updates given on the water plant concerning pipes from backwash basins to the lime sludge basins. In the previous week, these pipes have backed up, frozen, and pulled apart. Ross Construction and Snyder’s Engineering were contacted, and crews have made short-term repairs to allow continued backwashing until more permanent repairs can be made. The pipes will need to be rebuilt and modifications made to the pipelines to avoid future freezing issues. The repairs are not expected to disturb water distribution.
Discussion was held regarding commercial vs. residential electric rates. A motion was made to clarify that any business outside of a commercially zoned area that is required to possess a valid business license will be required to pay a commercial electric rate for their property that is used for their business. Additionally, customers fed through a three-phase electrical service that are using the property for residential use only will be charged at a residential rate. The motion passed 4-0.
Chief Richards provided an incident report list dated 2-22-2021 for the board to review: four animal control, two lockout, three animal problem, fifteen welfare check, four medical assist, one trespassing, one theft, one intoxicated person, two fraud, two suspicious person, and one warrant arrest. There is one dog in the pound.
Discussion was held on customers within the city limits that have the ability to hook up to sewer, but haven’t hooked up to the service. The board agreed all residents are required to pay for sewer usage going forward per Section 710.030 which was adopted in 2004.
The board discussed estimated street resurfacing bids. Morey will contact a contractor for more clarification on the estimated tons of usage before the next meeting. There is $145,000 in the 2021 budget for these renovations.
Green Hills has 95 surveys out of the 375 total LMI surveys that were mailed out.
Bills in the amount of $18,975.34 were approved for payment.
Morey and City Administrator Lance Rains talked to an engineer about reengineering the 2400 system. They will need to purchase and install new poles and transformers, but some of the wire can be salvaged. Rains expects to have the results of the electrical rate study from Toth Engineering in 30-45 days.
Rains and Police Chief Mark Richards recently took a tour of the Medical Marijuana Dispensary and reported on the building’s security.
A brief discussion was held regarding the cupola building. Rains will contact the women that host Chautauqua to see if they have plans for the building.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the City of Gallatin regular meeting held Feb. 22, 2021 at city hall. Present were Mayor Barbara Ballew, Board President Carol Walker, Aldermen Steve Evans, Dan Lockridge, Dan McCann, City Administrator Lance Rains, City Clerk Hattie Rains, Police Chief Mark Richards, and Carl McBee.