Tabled vote on city water contract gets second chance

The decision of whether two local engineering firms will develop the city's new water well field will once again be before the McCook City Council at its regular meeting Monday night.

The same proposal was tabled at the council's May 5 meeting.

McCook city administrators asked the council to approve contracts with Miller & Associate and W Design to develop the city's proposed wellfield north of McCook.

Each firm would be responsible for distinct phases of the project.

Miller & Associates would begin the project by finding, testing and drilling six new wells and building the accompanying well houses, developing the site in terms of electrical systems and roads, piping within the field and well field control.

The company also would be responsible for the demolition of the city's west water tower, painting the east water tower and transfer permits.

Engineers from W Design would be responsible for the design and site development of a new water storage facility, transmission mains from the water facility to the existing water system, modeling and pressure reducing water valves for the system.

The cost of services for both companies combined totals $567,000 plus an additional amount for specified hourly work at a not-to-exceed cost totaling $175,000.

A second item on the agenda is to discuss a water conservation, drought and emergency contingency plan for the city for discussion.

The plan includes three stages.

The first stage will be a water watch, meaning when the city has pumped six million gallons of water a day for five consecutive days, residents will be asked to voluntarily reduce water consumption.

The second stage will be a water warning, implemented when the city has pumped 6.3 million gallons of water per day for five consecutive days. At that point, a water warning will be issued and the city will ban outdoor water use between the hours of 10 a.m to 6 p.m. and the use of water for commercial or industrial purposes. Waste of water will be prohibited.

The third stage, a water emergency, will be declared if the usage reaches seven million gallons over two consecutive days. This stage can be implemented if there is a loss of a municipal well or booster pump, a large main break, loss of power for unknown reasons, fire and undetermined reasons specified by the water operator.

If this stage is reached, there will be no outside watering or industrial or commercial use of water allowed.

The council will be asked to approve the plan at a later date.

The council will be asked to consider a plan of action to address the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements for the city's waste water facility. The pan addresses several areas addressed under the requirements including ammonia.

In other action:

- A public hearing will be conducted to discuss the franchise agreement with Charter Communications and to consider the Villas of Heritage Hills development.

- The Council will receive and file a status report on the implementation of the Red Willow County Enhanced-911 system.

- The council will be asked to approve a contract the Midlands Contracting Inc. to preform the work on the sever line along A Street.

- The council will receive a report on the general fund trial balance for fiscal year 2003-04.

- A schedule will be presented to the council for the airport improvement project.

- The council will be asked to approve the use of the city auditorium by the Heritage Senior Center.

- The council will be asked to approve a contract between the state of Nebraska, Department of Roads, and the city of McCook for the purchase of a new Startrans bus to be used by the McCook Handibus service.