Aldermen approve $25k water system study

The City of Clarendon will conduct a professional study of city waterlines to try to determine the best way to improve the aesthetic quality of the water and how it’s distributed.

The Board of Aldermen at last week’s meeting on June 26 approved hiring KSA Engineers to conduct the Water Distribution System Study after a spirited debate that included a shouting match between two aldermen.

After listening to about 45 minutes of explanation from Public Works Director John Molder regarding the problems of discolored water in some parts of town and KSA’s Clayton Scales about his company’s proposal, the board failed to pass a first motion to approve the study.

Mayor Larry Hicks, who had asked for discussion prior to taking the vote, asked his board what it proposed to do instead, which prompted a heated exchange between Alderman Terry Noble, who had made the motion, and Alderman Tommy Hill, who did not vote for the measure. Hill and Aldermen Jesus Hernandez and Abby Patten then asked several questions about KSA’s previous work for the city, and ultimately the board agreed have better communications and passed the measure unanimously.

“This is a good idea,” Hill said.

The study is expected to take 120 days to complete at a cost of $25,000 and will include computer modeling of the city’s water system to determine where all the lines are, what problems exist in the system, and suggested long-term solutions for improving the system, including how to fund those improvements. The city has about $15,000 in the current budget for this project and will budget the remainder when the new budget year begins this fall.

Alderman Hill asked about how the project would affect street improvements approved by voters in May, and City Administrator Lambert Little said he would see if the city can hold off on issuing the bonds until after the city can address the water lines first.

Mayor Hicks said he believed the public would support the city making this decision.

In other city business, Aldermen: approved $700 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax to promote activities by the Clarendon Merchants Association this week; heard a report about tax levies and appraisals from Paula Lowrie of the Donley Appraisal District; and heard from Gary Campbell about continuing efforts to get the city’s water wells online and connected to the Greenbelt Water Authority and about a rainwater harvesting workshop that will be held here on July 28.