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Overbrook
City Council
Coming in 2009: Higher sewer rates
Increase needed to pay for sewer project
DeAun Michael
Special to The Herald-Chronicle
OVERBROOK—The Overbrook City Council tackled a number of topics
at their regular monthly meeting
Sept. 10, from sewer project plans to the possibility of a Santa
Fe Trail High School Homecoming Parade.
The council meeting began with public comments in response to the
Phase II plans for the sewer rehabilitation project.
The city’s engineer for the project, Vic Robbins, explained
the plans focus on three areas – repair of approximately 9,000
feet of sewer line, rehabilitation of two lagoons, and new lagoon
piping. The work must be done to satisfy the Kansas Department of
Health and Environment (KDHE) requirements to improve the city’s
sewer system to the required standards.
One citizen questioned the 30-foot easement requirement. Robbins
explained there had been a recent change to the easements for the
project from 30 feet to 20 feet. He said the minimum width of the
easements is required to allow room to operate equipment.
Robbins reported the process being used to repair the sewer lines
is a liner inserted into existing lines, which solidifies into a
cast-in-place plastic liner. The project is not expected to involve
digging to replace lines as was previously done. It is possible
the liner process cannot be used in some areas if the lines are
not in adequate condition.
“Every line will be videoed, inspected and cleaned, and the
company will have to certify and state that yes, they can line them,”
Robbins said. “If they don’t think they can (install
lining), I say that line is out for now because we are not prepared
for a total replacement.”
The city is applying for a community development block grant that
will pay for nearly half of the Phase II expenses. The other half,
approximately $420,000, will come from a KDHE loan to be paid with
an increase to city residents’ sewer bill. The council unanimously
passed an ordinance to increase the monthly sewer charge from the
current rate of $17.82 to $26.75 per month for customers who use
5,000 gallons a month, effective Jan. 1, 2009. Individual customers’
rates are determined by the amount of water used each month.
In other discussion, the council heard from Dave Swaim and Patrick
Graham, Santa Fe Trail High School principal and associate principal,
some ideas they have been working on to encourage students to be
more involved in school activities and their community. One idea
developing is a community parade for the homecoming activities.
Students have had a small homecoming parade at the school for the
last three years, but would like to expand it into a bigger event
and include their hometown communities in the festivities.
The principals asked the council for their cooperation with the
idea of holding a homecoming parade in the city in October. The
same request is being presented to Scranton and Carbondale. If all
three cities agree to the proposal, Swaim explained, a random selection
will be done at the Sept. 22 USD 434 board meeting. The first name
drawn will host the parade this year; the next city drawn will be
the host the following year and the third city would host next.
The council approved the plan unanimously. Councilman Don Schultz
will attend the school board meeting to hear the results.
Swimming pool repairs were also discussed at the council meeting,
with a presentation from Bruce McKee, of Lawrence Landscape. The
company’s submitted bid includes skimmer repair or replacement,
repair of the zero-grade entry area, pump repairs, and ventilation
and lighting upgrade in the building.
“Overall the pool is in good condition,” McKee said.
“The problem you have here is basically lack of maintenance
and small repairs.”
The council approved Lawrence Landscape’s bid of $10,000 to
$14,000. The bid has a range due to the amount of unknown work to
be determined after the company is able to better inspect the damage.
Work is expected to begin later this fall. Also approved was a bid
by Rogers and Sons Fabricators, LLC, of Quenemo, to resurface the
diving boards and stands for $425.
In other business, the council:
• gave permission to Carbondale City Attorney Michael Coffman
to seek legal access and obtain estimates from an engineering firm
for options to either repair or tear down the structure at 323 Maple.
• entered into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel
issues. No action was taken afterwards.
• agreed to post a position for a part-time temporary maintenance
employee.
• reviewed plans for the children’s fishing pond. Schultz
will discuss council concerns with the Pride committee regarding
technical plans and easements.
• accepted a tree trimming bid from Dan Reeser at $80 a block.
Areas to be trimmed will be at the city’s discretion.
• appointed Steve Simmons as operator in training for the
city water and sewer systems as required by KDHE. |
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