Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Two parties submitted bids for the farm land surrounding the city airport. The 142.9 acres was made available for a three-year lease to the highest bidder. At its meeting on Monday, March 2, the commission accepted Casey and Levi Weber’s bid of $10,700 per year. Matt Pfeiffer also submitted a bid, a total of $9,900. City attorney Travis Peterson will draw up the contract.
Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert reviewed quotes he received from Tecta America Dakotas to replace the roofs on the library and the north side of the Brown Memorial above the youth center/clubroom. Both are flat and covered with a rubber membrane. Full replacement cost for the library’s roof was estimated at $36,140. However, the contractor noted that the roof looked to be “in pretty good shape” overall, and that he was unable to inspect the area of concern due to a hard snowdrift sitting on the roof in the spot of the leak. He said repairing the leak only would cost much less than replacing the entire roof. The estimate for the Brown Memorial was about the same, $36,250.
Commissioner Ystaas, who participated in the meeting via conference call, asked that the body consider obtaining estimates to install a new slanted or pitched roof on both buildings. He said local contractors are capable of doing the calculations necessary to assess load on the structures and develop an estimate for the work. He postulated that the cost would likely be less, and the lifespan higher for the pitched style. As the 2020 budget does not include funds for either project, the matter was tabled so Hirchert can receive additional estimates. The commission will revisit at a later date.
Hirchert said he has also requested quotes for new windows and doors at the water plant. He sought pricing to block up the main floor windows with masonry, for the sake of discussion. He had not received any quotes in time for the meeting.
The valve between the second and third cells at the lagoon is not working. Right now public works staff are pumping for seven hours per day to keep up with the required discharge schedule. Hirchert said that it’s likely the valve is frozen and will clear out with the spring thaw. If not, they will have to dig down and replace the valve.
The public works crew has a new bobcat. This year, Hirchert said the model they’ve had in the previous several years is no longer made. Therefore, he upgraded to the newest model, the S76, at a total cost of $8,278. In future years he will pay $4,000, the typical annual cost.
The city will be writing a bigger check for sanitation services from Waste Management. The 2020 contract calls for a 3% increase, a total of $468.44 per month. Auditor George Ritzke explained that the company’s contract includes a provision to increase costs by up to 3% per year. There is no expected increase to residents’ sanitation rates, as Ritzke said that the increase was projected and accounted for when they raised rates last year.
Many residents have called city officials asking them to address the “Fortney Fault” in Watson Addition. There is a big dip in First Avenue Northeast right in front of Paul Fortney’s house.
The next city commission meeting is set for Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m. The annual Tax Equalization Meeting will also be held that evening, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
