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Council Approves Sediment Removal and New Wastewater Treatment Equipment

SIDNEY–A regular meeting of the Sidney City Council occurred on Tuesday, March 26, and all council members except Paul Strommen were present. After taking care of the normal preliminary business such as approving minutes from the last meeting, the council first heard from Tom Von Seggern, Parks Superintendent, who asked the council members to move forward with the removal of sediment from the flood ditch between the bridges on 11th and 13th avenues. Chrisman Trucking of Gering was the low bidder on the project, with a bid of $24,750. 

Von Seggern said that the ongoing maintenance of the flood ditch was the City of Sidney’s responsibility, and during recent inspections, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that the sediment issue needed to be addressed. Von Seggern said that Chrisman Trucking could start on the project as early as Thursday, March 28, and that the sediment would be moved to a dirt pile on Fort Sidney Road. The council voted to approve the sediment project, and Chrisman Trucking started working on the flood ditch later in the week.

Next up was Street Superintendent Hank Radtke, and he stated that crack sealing on the roads is done, on an annual basis, to help preserve the pavement. The City currently has $75,000 budgeted for the job, and only one bid for the project was submitted, by Hein Construction.  The price came in at 38 cents per linear foot. The projected starting date is April 14.  The Council approved the crack-sealing work.

WWTF Superintendent Todd Sukup then addressed the council, saying that the equipment at the wastewater treatment facility was nearing the end of its useful life, and asked the council to purchase new equipment.  Three bids were received for various portions of the equipment, all coming through one supplier. Sukup recommended the council approve the contract with Huber Technology for $215,066 for the Bar Screen and Wash Press; Fluidyne Corporation for $89,950 for the Grit Classifier; and Gurney in the amount of $141,663 for the channel slide gate and immersible influent pumps, for a total procurement cost of $446,679.  The engineer will complete drawing submittals and will submit to NDEE what is needed, and move toward bid documents for hiring for the final construction phase of the project.  Councilman Radcliffe asked if ARPA funds would be used, and Sukup said that part of the funds would come from ARPA, but not all.  The Council voted to approve the purchase of the equipment.

Hank Radtke then stated that he will attending a Bridge Conference next week and that crack sealing will begin on April 14.  Construction on Forrest St. will start in mid-April. There will be an Open House for the public on Thursday, April 4 to inform the public about the upcoming construction projects. There was also a pre-construction meeting on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Council room. 

In other business, Marshall Hall stated that he issued around 15 building permits over the week. Tom Von Seggern said soccer was ready to get started up, and the Plummer Easter Egg Hunt was a success despite the cold weather.  An Arbor Day Proclamation will be read at the next council meeting.  Greg Jenkins, Interim Electric Manager, stated that the Electric Department will be working on the conversion program again.  Councilman Buckner stated the City keeps finding ways of utilizing the ½ cent sales tax and the community will see their dollars at work with the upcoming projects.  The meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.

 

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