Parsons City Council began the process of extending the city sewer line to the Kingsford Manufacturing Plant. The council discussed the details of the procurement process and will apply for grant assistance to extend the sewer line.
The city already supplies the plant with city water. “They are our largest volume customer on the water side, so adding them would not only help them, but boost revenue in the sewer system,” City Administrator Jason Myers said.
Myers said the first task in the process is to hire an engineer to evaluate the project. Then plans will be drawn.
Councilman Tim Auvil provided more information on the backwash pond at the water treatment plant. “At no time was the City of Parsons made aware that we were in violation of any code,” Auvil said. He continued, “We have always taken measures to ensure all actions were taken not only to be in compliance. If we were made away by state inspections, steps would have been taken to fix it.”
The council approved one week of trackhoe and bulldozer rental to complete the modifications “at any time, if whether permits,” Auvil said. After inspection, it was determined that expansion of depth and width is possible to achieve complaince.
Thrasher Engineering Group provided a quote the Mill Race Park entrance and lighting projects. The city allocated $30,000 for the projects. Thrasher estimated the materials would cost $77,000.
“Our priority was the basketball court, the kids have been waiting a couple of years for that one, and I think we really need to make that one happen,” Auvil said. “I think we are going to be alright with what we allocated with the entrance,” Auvil said.
City Administrator Myers estimated the city will close on the Pentecostal Church property next to River City Park in the next two to three weeks.
City representatives met with the heirs of the White Gables property. The city submitted an offer for the property and will receive a response within a month’s time. If the property is purchased by the city, the property may be used for an industrial park or facilitation with the Kingsford sewer line extension.
Paving city streets was discussed at the meeting. A motion was carried to move forward on paving the proposed streets. The council approved the levy rate.
Upcoming Parks and Recreation events include the Special Olympics on June 15, Gospel Sing on June 22, and the Summer Bash on August 3.
The next Parsons City Council meeting is schedule for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1.
