Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The public works department continues to work with contractors to finish the punch list for the water plant project. Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert told city commissioners at their Sept. 7 meeting that he tried different filters as recommended, but they are only lasting six days rather than 14. He is checking into the price difference to see which ones are more efficient long-term.
The reverse osmosis treatment system is running, yet residents still have colored water at the tap. Hirchert said the contractors and engineers have guaranteed that the water leaving the plant and the tower is fine. “Somewhere in the distribution system, the wheels are falling off,” he told commissioners.
To identify the source of the problem, the public works crew will engage in a really restrictive, isolated flush, one block at a time.
Hirchert said he thinks that with the dual treatment systems, there might not be enough minerals in the water, so it’s attaching to the corrosion in the service lines and carrying sediment through the service lines.
“We know we still have water issues. It’s a work in progress, that’s all I can say,” President Stu Richter said.
The commission authorized Richter to negotiate with Sentry Crane to get the financial end of the project buttoned up. The USDA loan has been closed, but the city has not paid the retainer, as the project is not complete and is well behind schedule.
The contractor asserts that the city owes $259,000, which includes $170,000 in wages for its workers and costs of a cold weather concrete pour at the beginning stages of the project. Richter noted that Sentry Crane owes the city liquidated damages of $137,000, as the contract states the contractor must pay fines for each day the project is past the deadline.
Richter said he could only identify four items totaling $18,000 that are actually owed to Sentry Crane, and he said he will keep commissioners informed as he negotiates.
The last of the 90-yearold water mains will be replaced at the end of the month. There were two blocks near the water tower missed in 2020, and Hirchert said he wanted to make sure they all were upgraded to PVC.
Residents have likely noticed holes in the sidewalks and boulevards downtown recently. Otter Tail Power Company is installing the new LED street lights. The current fixtures will remain until the new ones are fully installed and operational, so the downtown streets will likely be extra bright for a short period of time.
Commissioners approved the police service contract with Eddy County Sheriff’s Office “with a conversation.” Members noted that that city had not gotten quarterly reports from Sheriff Paul Lies this past year, and they wanted an opportunity to talk to him about issues.
City Attorney Travis Peterson commented that he had seen the newer deputies out on patrol more recently, which was positive. McKnight noted recent vandalism to downtown buildings, notably graffiti on the exterior walls of Do it Best Hardware. Hirchert said he would like to see the truck route enforced more.
Dillon Hewitt was appointed to the open commission seat. He will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Ryan Hager, who had not petitioned for re-election but received the most write-in votes in the June election. Commissioners accepted Hager’s resignation at the June reorganization meeting and then sought to fill the seat by appointment.
In other business:
• Commissioners approved nearly $200,000 in payments to Interstate Engineering: $71,577.02 for the water project and $115,333.47 for the street project.
• Authorized the sale of Peoples Block 7, Lots 1-17 to Harold Thomas and Lonnie Thompson for $3 per frontal foot plus special assessments and legal fees.
