Public Works Director Simon Wiley stood before Eureka Springs City Council on Monday and first gave updates on sewer testing. Inspectors will be coming to look at the system February 27 and advise on how to keep it operational until replacement units arrive. McClelland Engineering is working on a rate analysis for sewer and water, and the sludge pump will be shipped out for repairs and replaced with a newer one. Council had a tour of the plant last week.
Wiley moved on to discuss the water leaks on West Van Buren, where C4 Earthworks is working at the water tower at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks. While looking for what was leaking and where, it was discovered that in addition to the 8-in. and 10-in. lines on maps of the water lines, there is a 2-in. line that runs parallel to the main lines, not on any Public Works maps.
He said it appears the 2-in. line is the main source of the leaking problem throughout the city, but primarily on Van Buren. On Feb. 27, Core & Main will be installing four insert valves: one for the 10-in., one for the 8-in., and two for the 2-in. lines. These valves will then be used to shut off the water to try and determine where the lines go. The entire T under the water tower will be replaced with a new C-900 polypipe.
Wiley said he hopes this will resolve the problems in that area. After that they will move on to North Main, where more of the 2-in. line has been found, and after that, near Smith’s Drug on E. Van Buren.
Alderman Terry McClung asked what purpose the 2-in. line serves, but Wiley said that since no information exists on the maps, he is unsure who installed it or why. By closing off the valves he hopes it will show what homes and businesses may be hooked up to it. They have traced this line to Main Street. Once they know who has been affected by turning off the 2-in. line they will connect those people to the main 8-in. line. Wiley noted that when they do the next big projects, like the Roundabout, they would re-tie everything back into the main lines.
Alderman Autumn Slane asked how Public Works would inform the community of the loss of water and when it would be off. Wiley replied that they had had an issue on the day council was touring the facility with him that he had been unaware of, but that he apologized for the inconvenience on the Public Works Facebook page.
Slane asked if there would be a boil order and Wiley said No, that it would have to meet the criteria set by the state. Mayor Berry adding that boil orders happen when water tanks get so low there’s no water pressure or there is a large leak. If that happens, notices will be hung on doors of all affected and postings will be made on Facebook, online, and on radio and TV.
Alderman Harry Meyer pointed out that businesses and citizens may be surprised on the 27th when they lose water. Wiley said information was available on the Public Works Facebook page, which is mentioned on people’s bills. He asked if anyone loses water pressure to contact Public Works because that will let them know that that home or business is hooked up to the 2-in. line it could affect people from Planer Hill all the way west along Van Buren to the city limits. He said the water would be shut off either on the afternoon of the 27th or the morning of the 28th depending on when the engineering company finishes installing the valves.
Slane asked how the public would be informed if the wide coverage only happened for a boil order, wondering if an automated sign could be put up. Wily told her no, that also required state approval.
When Meyer asked about putting flyers just about the water being shut off, Wiley dismissed this as not feasible given the limited number of staff and the short notice to print the flyers and post them to over 1700 addresses.
Berry told Wiley to notify the radio stations to put out a notice and to encourage people to contact Public Works if they lose water pressure. Berry added that it is a difficult situation because the city doesn’t know who will be impacted. Wiley then shared that the email system for Public Works is another way to inform customers that they could be affected and a way for customers to contact Public Works.
Liquor license deadline extended
There was a change to the ordinance about the municipal code for alcohol licenses because it conflicts with the state. City Clerk Ida Meyer realized that business owners need to have their state permit to apply for their city permit, but that both permits are supposed to be in on the same day: June 30. She proposed changing the due date for the city to July 31 in order to give businesses time to receive their state permits.
One of the other issues with Ord. 2349 Title 7 Section 8, was that there is no penalty fee for late dues. This was changed so that there is now a 25 percent penalty fee for lateness unless a business opened after July 31. These changes were read through three times and passed without opposition.
Room at the tables
Aldermen David Avanzino and Melissa Greene resigned from their council positions starting immediately. Vacancies were declared for Ward 1 Position 2 and Ward 2 Position 1 and Berry encouraged members of the public to apply. Those who wish to apply should check the map on the city’s website to see if they qualify. Applications need to be turned in by March 8. Replacements will be voted on on March 25.
Council voted to fill the open HDC seat with Debbie Davis. An open position for the Parks Commission is still looking for applicants.
Berry wrapped up the meeting saying that the National League of Cities had nominated Eureka Springs for a federal advocacy award making it one of three finalists for cities with a population under 50,000. Winners will be announced in Washington, DC. He also said that the city was up for an award for Strongest Town for Public Engagement, and online voting for this title is open to the public from March 4 through the 8 at strongesttown.com.