Sewer project loose ends frustrate Peabody City Council
Peabody City Council tried to finalize the new sewer plant project Monday night as it covered a long list of loose ends.
Council approved final payment of $143,000 to Smoky Hill Construction, but agreed to withhold the check until the company makes final repairs noted on the city's "punch list."
Payments to Middlecreek Corporation and Reiss and Goodness Engineers were approved as was a 45-day extension request from Middlecreek. The company cannot complete its part of the construction until work is completed by others.
City administrator Jeff Benbrook reviewed release letters signed by adjoining property owners. Council held a lengthy discussion on the next step with property owners who did not sign releases, but also did not submit in writing their objections and requests to the city.
No action was taken after a motion to pay one property owner for damages died for lack of a second.
Council instructed Benbrook to seek more information and tabled the issue.
Council also was informed a technician with Integrated Solutions will be on site Thursday to examine the lift station and the alarm system that is not functioning properly.
The city still is awaiting environmental testing results before it can finish demolition of the former sewer plant.
Council members will try to wind up the project at the Nov. 28 meeting.
Joanna Brazil presented copies of the city's Transportation Enhancement grant that has been sent to Kansas Department of Transportation in hopes of receiving funding for infrastructure improvements to downtown Peabody. The grant funds will be issued for 2008 if the application is accepted.
Council members expressed their pleasure with the presentation and application.
In other business the council:
— approved a $15,000 expenditure to pave south Maple Street from the bridge to Central and west on Central to Walnut, contingent on the county funding the $10,000 balance of the project. County commissioner Randy Dallke will request a special meeting to present the plan and see about getting the work done while crews are working on county roads around Peabody.
— approved a $21.42 refund on sewer fees incorrectly charged to Sherril Negaard in conjunction with a water leak.
— heard a group of student volunteers will be working downtown to clean up leaves and debris Saturday.
— approved a credit to Jim Finley for a water leak.
— discussed parking congestion at Peabody Farm Service at the corner of Central and Maple streets. No action was taken.
— approved ordinance changes to the refuse collection ordinance. Council agreed to wait until December to publish the changes.
— discussed property owned by Janice Preston at Third and Olive streets. City crews sprayed Preston's property this past summer to kill weeds that had grown unabated. Preston complained the spray killed bushes and shrubs. She wants the city to replace those items.
After discussion council requested an itemized list of plants and replacement costs.
Preston also is still waiting for the city to do something about the water saturation in her back yard that comes from the ditch running between Vine and Olive streets. Later in the meeting council members agreed to hire an engineer after the first of the year in hopes of finding resolution to the problem.
— approved resolutions to establish nuisance hearings for the properties at 111 South Vine, 803 North Olive, and 402 North Elm.
— heard from health and safety officer Deb Buser that nuisance had been abated at 601 North Locust and 501 North Elm. Updates on other properties being monitored by the city were given.
