Engineer discusses testing of lagoons with council

ARBYRD, Mo. -- Smith & Co. Engineers representative Greg Bell discussed testing of the lagoons and the repair of a sewer line in Arbyrd with the Arbyrd City Council during a meeting on Monday.

The test that the company recommends using is a barrel test, according to Bell. This test works with a gauge that can regularly calculate the amount of water in the lagoon, Bell noted.

"Rainfall is all calculated in," Bell said.

The company will be looking to drop the lagoon down to 30 inches from the bottom, according to Bell. He noted, this is where the level is supposed to stay.

The three cells will be tested independently, with a flow meter being a possibility for cell one, Bell added.

"The biggest issue on cell one is if we will have to use a bypass or if the flow meter will work," Bell said. "We will have to have good data days and kick out days with unexplainable drops and rises."

Alderman Ron Branum asked the representative if the tests would result in the city being in compliance.

Bell replied, "If it passes, hopefully it will and everything will be fine. A certain amount of seepage is allowed, but I don't know the amount off the top of my head."

Bell informed the council that this is the only way to be sure if the lagoon is leaking.

Alderman Brent Pierce asked Bell if there were any cheaper option the city could consider.

"I don't know of any other tests," Bell said.

The council decided to table the issue to consider other available options and discuss with Mayor Lonnie Gibson, Jr., who was not in attendance at the Monday meeting.

Bell explained to the council that the testing of the lagoon can be started at any time, and that although the line is being repaired currently, the lagoon testing does not have to wait until that job is completed.

"The line has to have a manhole even though it is serving only one house," Branum asked of the representative.

Bell replied, "Yes because there is a possibility for another connection and DNR (the Department of Natural Resources) says that this defines the line as a main line."

Branum informed Bell that there was not a possibility for another connection and Bell explained to Branum he would look into the possibility.

The company has already started getting everything ready for the operation, according to Bell.

"I think we all want to get it done as soon as possible," Branum said.

Also during the meeting, City Clerk Erma Branum presented the proposed budget for 2010 to the council, who approved the proposal.

"I left the income from tickets low because of the amount received in the previous years," Branum said.

Grant Writer Mitzi Dell has applied for a fire grant for the city of Arbyrd, according to her written report read by Pierce. The grant will total $19,388, with the city's portion of the funds being $4,969. These funds will supply the Arbyrd Fire Department with radios, generators, and gear, according to the report.

During the Water and Sewer Department's Report, given by Mitch Skelton, the council was notified that lift station number three had a line that was not working properly due to the recent bad weather. Skelton informed the council that his plan was to repair the problem by the end of the week.

Skelton also gave the Fire Department's Report to the council, in which he said there was only one fire in the city during the month, which was a structure fire on a house trailer.

During the Police Department's Report, given by Skelton, Pierce asked if there were any pit bulldogs inside the city. Skelton replied that the pit bulldogs that were inside the city had been taken care of and were gone from the city limits.

Also, the council approved ending the cleanup process with no more dumping at the lagoon. A sign will be posted at the lagoon site that informs visitors of the new "no dumping" decision.

This will place all city employees back on regular scheduling and the council approved to have no more overtime for the city employees.

The four chainsaws that the city purchased for the clean up process have options for return or can be paid in full, according to Erma Branum.

"The city can pay $1,810 for all of the chainsaws, $1,249 for two chainsaws and return the other two, or $1,810 for two chainsaws and a pole saw and return the remaining two chainsaws," Branum said.

Pierce said that the city's current pole saw is only two years old and working fine.

"I don't want to buy a new pole saw and have the warranty running out on it while we are not using it," Pierce said.

The council approved the option of returning two of the chainsaws and paying the amount of $1,249 for the remaining two saws.

Other matters that came before the council included:

* The approval of the minutes from the April City Council meeting;

* The approval of the Financial Report and Approval of the Bills;

* The approval of waiting for a quote for concrete before approving purchase for the amount needed to install the new basketball goals and a half court of playing room;

* Skelton informing the council that he will be on vacation from June 4, 2009, to June 15, 2009, but individuals were in place to cover his duties in the city;

* Approval of the city council meetings remaining at 6 p.m., on Monday nights.

The next Arbyrd City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., on June 8.