Creston City Water Works board of trustees discussed the Snyder and Associates study to alter water plant capacity and look at new treatment facility options to reduce cost estimates, such as whether the cost of including a groundwater study is worth considering, during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
“It would tell you if it’s feasible or not,” said Steven Guthrie, general manager at Creston Water Works.
Later he added that he is “a believer in needing all the information I can gather” and that in his opinion he would still consider looking at it so he knows for sure.
The board concluded that Guthrie would have the authority to keep or remove the study depending on the cost. If the cost exceeds $2,000 the groundwater portion of the study will not be completed.
Austin Smith of Garden, and Associates provided updates on Creston street reconstruction projects with the main discussion being on storing materials on West Howard Street for the water main that has not yet been installed. The materials would need to be stored for the winter and paid for. The amount would then be subtracted from the full price of install in the spring since it would already be paid. He also said the majority of field work has been done for West Mills Street and that they plan to have this portion of the project complete by mid-December.
“I didn’t know if it would behoove of the Water Department to put in a stub next year when we have it torn out if we’re going to plan on running one side or the other at Division Street, otherwise we’ll end up with a patch in the new street,” Smith said. “We’re talking like 40 feet of pipe and valve,” Smith said.
Guthrie provided an update on the joint committee Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA) reconciliation and joint commiuttee. Guthrie met with Dan McIntosh and Aby Bauer at SIRWA “about reconciling the actual cost per thousand” that is paid to Creston City Water Works by SIRWA.
“I think we both agree that the price needs to go up based off the numbers provided that you know as far as I would like to propose that we start Jan. 1 with the new rate as soon as we meet again and set it,” Guthire proposed continuing those discussions.
The board discussed an employee appreciation for all the work employees have done in the past year.
The board approved an addendum to the revised resolution concerning water main extensions to say they are the sole interpreter of the resolution and to define terms.
The board discussed the wage increase schedule for salaried and hourly employees. The board would like to get all employees on the same wage increase schedule to simplify the process. This discussion was tabled for the December meeting so that they can look into the potential financial impact of the wage increase schedule and how it would affect IPERS.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources audit report should be available sometime in the next week.
A circuit board at the Twelve Mile Treatment Plant had an infestation of mice and wasps. After speaking with SIRWA, the entities agreed this issue must be fixed.
Creston Water Works sold their dumptruck which was replaced by a less expensive and more versatile piece of equipment. The excess funds will be used to offset the costs of server upgrades that need to be done.