HUMBOLDT City Administrator Cole Herder received authority Monday night to give Humboldts sewer system a more extensive upgrade.
As is, many mains are being lined with a material to make them more efficient. During the project, workers discovered a substantial portion of mains already had been lined with an impervious material, in 1999, that had brought them to snuff. The result was a savings of $262,000 within a project of a little over $5 million.
With that mind, engineers told Herder the sewer system could be made much better if about $500,000 exact numbers still are being calculated were added to the $262,000 savings.
Council members agreed with Herders analysis: I hate to come back 20 years from now and say Id wish wed done this, at cost that is sure to escalate in later years. The additional work mainly will entail making service line taps next to leak-proof in the north part of town.
Groundwater having access to sewer mains is a significant problem because all water flowing to the citys sewer plant is treated, whether needed or not, and cost climbs quickly with increased volume.
Council members also gave a thumbs-up to a request from Del Shields to hold a fundraiser on and near the downtown square Oct. 27.
The event will benefit Kimberly Whitley, a former Humboldt High student. Whitley, 35, suffered serious facial and other injuries when she fell from utility vehicle she had ridden in a parade at Thayer. That was complied by Whitley, now a resident of Urbana, suffering from an autoimmune disorder.
Shields, well-known for his cowboy poetry and music, said plans were to start at noon with rides in horse-drawn conveyances and games for kids and then have a concert at the bandstand from 6 to 8 p.m.
IN OTHER NEWS, council members:
— Approved use of the square and downtown streets for an Armistice Day parade and celebration on Nov. 11, a Sunday. The observation, now called Veterans Day, started when the Armistice of Compiegne was signed at 11 a.m., Paris time, on Nov. 11, 1918, which makes this years the 100th anniversary of the agreement to end all wars. Veterans of any time will be honored and members of churches will be asked to ring their bells at 11 a.m.
— Agreed to annex about 30 acres of an industrial tract northeast of down, which will be developed by Monarch Cement Company. Monarch will ask for the development to fall under the citys Neighborhood Revitalization Program to accrue property tax advantages.
— Following a 15-minute executive session, they unanimously rescinded a motion to terminate Brian Dillow, as chief of police, and accepted his letter of resignation, effective Aug. 12. They also agreed to honor an additional 143 hours sick leave, a portion of which he will be receive compensation, and to pay this medical insurance through the end of this month. A new chief is being sought, with applications due no later than Wednesday.
— Learned water sales to Emery Sapp and Sons have exceeded expectations. Humboldt was advised the company would buy about 4 million gallons, to support reconstruction of U.S. 169, and since May sales have totaled 3.25 million gallons, with several months work remaining. Revenue to date is $29,835.85. Humboldts cost for extending a water line was $20,000 plus labor by a city crew.
