The Superior Express -

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Notice of Open Public Meetings Act and roll call, The Superior City Council covered several items of business including the reveal of the parks and recreation survey presentation by Bobbi Pettit, from Five Rule Rural planning, was given at the meeting last Tuesday. Because Pettit was delayed in her arrival, the presentation was moved to the end of the session. She pointed out the options which Superior residents, who responded to the survey, indicated was their top priority. She requested the council take no action on the report at this meeting.

James Flores and Carrie Lemke, council members, were not present.

Andrew Brittenham, city utilities manager, advised the council that Superior Utilities owns nine water municipal wells. Five are currently available for operation while one is undergoing testing. One well is on permanent standby in the event of a major fire while another well is permanently disconnected from the system. The final well is dedicated for golf course utilization. The utilities department has the wells inspected annually to ensure they are in good order. A third party checks the preventive maintenance program. The upkeep is necessary to provide peak water capacity in the event of an emergency without straining the system’s capacity.

Upon completion of the 2022 annual inspection round, it was noted Well Two was somewhat impeded. The specific capacity in the latest report ranged from 27 gallons per minute-feet to 24 gpm-feet. The pump is straining to pump at its design capacity of 70 gpm. The strain risks pulling particles from the gravel pack into the screens at the bottom of the well. If this is not attended to, the screens are liable to plug, leading to reduced water production. The consulting company recommended pulling the pump and breaking up the blockage on the screens. They reported that Well Seven is developing a similar condition which will need to be addressed in the next two to four years. The cleaning process is expected to keep the well functioning for many years to come.

The utilities department budgets for one well per year. The board approved a contract with Layne Christensen Company for $26,450 to perform the needed services.

Deb Hansen, Green Digs LLC, addressed the council. She inquired as to when a TIF Bond will be issued for the Montana Meadows Villa project. She reported that one unit was sold and pending closing. The funds from the bond are to pay for the infrastructure, site expenses and attorney fees. She was advised that Nov. 23 was the earliest date the bond could be issued.

The council approved the purchase and installation of a heating and air-conditioning unit for the Superior Public Library. Scott Sales and Service, Superior, will perform the work. The library building has four such units. This will be the third replacement unit installed.

Brittenham reported he had received notification from the Nebraska Department of Transportation that the state will proceed with improvements and repairs on Highway 14. The state intends to resurface the road from Nine Mile Corner to just below Eighth Street in Superior. The department will also resurface Highway 14 from Park Street to the Kansas state line. The Republican River bridge will undergo extensive work including new piling and a new deck. The state is also resurfacing Highway 8 from Hartley Street to the driveway at Crowl Tree Services. Contracts are to be let in January, 2023 with work to commence in April, 2023. October, 2023 is the scheduled completion date.

Brittenham asked the council to approve pay applications for the FEMA WWTP and the DR4420 FEMA Project Closeout. These projects pertained to flooding damage to various city facilities in the 2019 Republican River floor. Impacted facilities included the wastewater treatment plant and the golf course. Extensive work was done on the wastewater treatment facility to allow effluent discharge during future flood events.

The council approved a REDLG1 loan of $15,000 to Dean and Cerissa Scott, the owners of Bloom Street Burgers, formerly the Burger Barn and Dairy Queen. The couple intends to use the funds for improvements to the building including rest room renovations and painting. The loan was made from the REDLG-1 fund.

The council approved a motion to begin foreclosure proceedings against the Lighthouse Christian Child Care Center for failure to comply with loan protocols. The present balance on the loan is $108,000. The loan was secured by the Church of the Nazarene building located on East Seventh Street.

The council will meet at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, at the city administration building.