Water distribution efforts discussed at council meeting

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com

Daingerfield City Manager Carl Teel reported progress on public water distribution efforts and provided information on sludge recycling to the Daingerfield City Council at its March 18 meeting.
“The public works department, under the leadership of Jon Newberry, has accomplished a major effort for the city’s water distribution system,” Mr. Teel said. “As discussed on numerous occasions, part of the
concern of the water system is related to having adequate and consistent water pressure throughout the whole city. An associated concern is the fact that the whole city operates as one homogenous zone which means that the whole city is affected in case of a shut down. For several months, Jon has been identifying ways to improve the pressure on the high side of the city without adversely affecting the pressure on the rest of the system. We are still working on some additional concerns and related issues that need to be fully resolved in order for the whole operation to perform at its maximum efficiency.
“In a follow up on recycling the wastewater sludge into certified compost for use on lawns, gardens, and agricultural applications, I have researched the matter and have some preliminary information to report. I have made two trips to Sulphur Springs Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant to observe and gather information about their composting program. Additionally, the designers of the composting operation in
Sulphur Springs have made three trips to Daingerfield to look at our needs here. As you can imagine, this is highly regulated by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the company that I am discussing this with has a successful record of compliance with the requirements of TCEQ. In all practicality, I only see this becoming a viable option for us if we can reduce some of our operational cost by recouping some of the expenses in a marketable product. More study and research are needed. John Furlow, CPA, presented the fiscal audit to the council.
“This is a clean audit,” Mr. Furlow said. “The city has impressive record keeping and the budget is very detailed.”

Mr. Teel reported on the clarifier project.
“Gracon Construction Company has now completed about 48 percent of the clarifier project,” Mr. Teel said. “We are endeavoring to coordinate with SWEPCO on the possible relocation of some of the power lines that are in close proximity to the construction site. In order to power the clarifier, some major electrical work is involved and the current location of the power lines and transformers are obstructing the placement of the new electrical components. This will necessitate some rework of the utility poles
and transmission lines.
“We have met with the engineer from SWEPCO and the contractor to identify a solution to this challenge and minimize the additional cost to the city. A proposed solution has been agreed upon and hopefully will let the project go forward.”
Mr. Teel brought the council up to date on future projects related to financing of water treatment.
“The Texas Water Development Board has a multiple step process for municipalities regarding financing future water treatment and/or wastewater treatment projects,” Mr. Teel said. “The first step had a deadline of March 1 and required a preliminary submission of some technical data from the city. This initial data and submission was required in order for the city to even have the opportunity to apply for a future loan for project consideration. Without this submittal, we would not even be considered, and even with the submittal, there are no guarantees that we would qualify. The submittal does not obligate us to apply for any project funding, but is only a pre-qualifying of our ability to be considered for funding in 2014. Special thanks are owed to Freese and Nichols who compiled the data for us at no cost and helped prepare the forms for proper submission.
“Freese and Nichols Engineers Inc. have submitted its invoice for 60 percent of the design work for the Downtown Enhancement Project,” Mr. Teel said. “The Engineering cost is 80 percent reimbursable from
the grant with the city bearing the rest of the cost. However, please keep in mind that the city has to pay the full invoice first and then submit it for reimbursement. The time frame for reimbursement involves submitting a paid invoice to the Texas Department of Transportation and then waiting for them to circulate it through their channels. If everything flows through the process without any delays, it will
take approximately 30 days or more to receive the reimbursement.”
The council approved going out for bids for road construction material.
“In order to get the best price for road construction materials and services, I have prepared a list of items on which we need to get competitive bids as we approach the road construction season,” Mr. Teel said. “Needless to say, the escalation of gasoline and oil prices will have a corresponding effect upon the cost of asphalt based road materials. The bid specs will state that the price sheet submitted by the bidders will be used for the rest of calendar year 2013.”
In other matters, the council approved Stan Wyatt as its representative to the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District.