Sewer System Review Identifies $350,000 in Needed Repairs

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The Board of Aldermen of the City of Memphis met in regular session on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. in Memphis City Hall.  Mayor William Reckenberg called the meeting to order.  Aldermen present were:  Tom Glass, Jobe Justice, Chris Feeney, and Jenny Aldridge.  Others in attendance were:  City Administrator Allen Creek; Utility Supt. Stacy Alexander; and City Clerk Angela Newman.  City Attorney Brett Bozarth was also present via a teleconference call.

Citizen Participation

Katie Harris called in and asked about the progress of the job descriptions.  Harris also inquired about the age requirements of summer and seasonal employees.

Alderman Aldridge passed along a request from Stacy Westhoff asking permission to conduct a bike and car night on Saturday, August 1^st on the city square.  Council unanimously agreed to the request.

USDA Public Hearing – Equipment Grant

The City of Memphis held a public hearing regarding their intent to file a grant application with the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDA/RD).  The grant will be used for the financing of two used dump trucks that will serve the City of Memphis.  There was no public comment.

Water System Improvements Pay Request #6

Utility Supt. Stacy Alexander presented an update from Brian Fifer with McClure Engineers on the progress of the water plant project.  Keokuk Contractors are approximately 70% complete with building the new chemical room walls inside the water plant.  They plan to start on the south concrete sediment basin in the next couple of weeks.  They will be epoxying cracks, tying mats of steel for the new 6” walls, then forming up the new 6” interior walls to pour them and have them in place by mid-May.

The electrical sub-contractor has installed the majority of the new panels, including running conduit and wire to them.  The new electrical service leg was installed and put on line March 31^st.  The easts stainless steel clearwell was completed on April 1^st and is scheduled to be disinfected and put on-line the week of April 6^th.  The west stainless steel clearwell is scheduled to be demolished the week of April 13^th with Pittsburgh Tank scheduled to be on site the week of April 20^th to start erecting the new stainless-steel tank.

City crews have cut out existing piping between the clearwell tanks and temporized the piping to have the plant on-line.  They will continue to construct the new above ground piping between clear-wells.

A pay request was submitted from Keokuk Contractors in the amount of $557,214.13 and McClure Engineering Company in the amount of $11,457.60.  Alderman Justice moved and Alderman Aldridge seconded to approve pay request #6.  Vote:  Glass, Justice, Feeney, and Aldridge, all aye.

Bill No. 20-5 – Administrative Services Agreement with Total Plan Services

Bill No. 20-5 – An ordinance authorizing an agreement with Total Plan Services to administer the city’s health insurance plan, received first and second readings and was passed by a 4-0 vote becoming Ordinance No. 1143.

Bill No. 20-6 – Employees Group Health Plan

Bill No. 20-6, an ordinance approving the employees group health plan, plan document received first and second readings and was passed by a 4-0 vote becoming Ordinance No. 1144.

Pandemic Virus Preparedness Plan

A Pandemic Virus Preparedness Plan for the City of Memphis employees was presented as prepared by Alderman Jobe Justice and Attorney Bozarth. The plan establishes departmental service continuity plans to ensure delivery of basic city services in the event of pandemic virus. It also assists employees and their families in managing personal and or family illness during a pandemic outbreak.

 Alderman Justice moved and Alderman Glass seconded to adopt the plan as presented.  Vote:  Glass, Justice, Feeney, and Aldridge, all aye.

Department Reports

City Administrator Allen Creek submitted an analysis report from Visu-Sewer listing lines that need repair or replacement.  Estimated costs were $353,886 with 78% of the lines being inspected.

Both trash trucks have recently received repairs and maintenance, including brakes on the oldest truck.  The back lot near the city maintenance buildings has become a dumping ground in recent weeks.  Creek suggested a fence be put in after the water plant project is completed, leaving access to the compost and leaf area.

The new shelter at the trap range is complete and new power has been run to the campgrounds.  Two new mowers had been received last week from The Farm Shop in Edina.

Creek reported quotes he had received for the replacement of the handicap ramp at the fire station building.  A cement ramp is estimated at $17,000; wood composite $13,000; and aluminum $12,000.  Jennifer Holton called in to comment there is a roach infestation under the ramp that needs attention.  The City will contact an exterminator to address the problem.

New LED lights have been installed on the outside of the city square.  Approximately forty street lights have been replaced.  The electric department is working to get the Palmyra transformer hooked up.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pepsi has suspended bringing cans and plastic bottles for recycling.  Mowing at the parks and cemetery has begun.

Utility Supt. Stacy Alexander reported there are currently seven solar installs within the city limits.  Alexander has been in contact with Rural Water in regards to updating emergency connections to allow water from the City to Rural Water and from Rural Water to the City.

Aldermen Reports

Alderman Justice asked about the progress of replacing a pole at the Frank Wineinger property.  The electric department stated it was still too wet.  Justice also asked how often the campground restrooms are cleaned when they are open, which is once per week.  Justice asked if quotes had been obtained for the handicap ramp for the south side of the square and they had not yet been obtained.

Mayor

Mayor Reckenberg reported a concrete culvert that needs rebuilt at the intersection of Jones and Adams Streets.

Meeting adjourned into closed session at 8:20 p.m.

Council met with City Attorney Bozarth regarding various legal issues and addressed individual personnel issues.

Alderman Glass moved and Alderman Justice seconded to adjourn from closed session.  Vote:  Glass, Justice, Feeney, and Aldridge, all aye.

Closed session adjourned at 10:15 p.m.