By Mollie Allen
mollie@thenewsobserver.com
Over $131,790 was approved by the Blue Ridge City Council for various water distribution needs, and at the same time some water related fees were increased.
In a regular Tuesday, July 13, meeting, Utilities Director Rebecca Harkins requested a bulk purchase of road patching as many products are back-ordered.
“I got with Alicia (Stewart, finance director) and checked on what we spent last year, and what we spent year to date on patching, and we came up with $35,000 to be approved,” Harkins said. “And that’s where we go in and make a repair and have to cut the road or cut the concrete.”
Harkins also requested to purchase 24 water meters to have in stock for the Water Department as they are using four to five a week. A price for the meters was not available due to the fluidity of prices at the moment.
In addition, increases to tap fees, surcharge/impact fees and customer deposits were approved.
For example, fees for 3/4 inch taps were increased by $400, which includes the current backflow charge of $93.
All other tap fees increase by $500 per inch.
The surcharge/impact fee was increased by $500 for 3/4inch taps, and $1,000 per inch for larger taps..
Road cuts now start of a minimum of $1,500, upr from $1,000.
“This does not impact water and sewer rates as far as customer bills go,” Harkins said.
Harkins also revealed that the department is down 4.3 million gallons in water loss, which is 11% of the water plant capacity.
“The service lines that they’re replacing account for 63% of our unaccounted for water,” Harkins said.
Storm water infiltration on Mineral Springs Road is being investigated, she said.
A truck purchased from Ronnie Thompson Ford was ratified for $36,836.94.
As a result of sidewalk damage to Depot Street at the fault of work by Atlanta Gas Light a portion will be replaced at their expense.
“The city is not paying for anything for putting that sidewalk back that Atlanta Gas (Light) took up,” Planning, Zoning and Project Manager Jeff Stewart said.
However, a quote of $8,050 for the remainder of the sidewalk to be replaced by the city was approved.
An ornamental fence installed near the wall and ramp off East First Street was approved for $6,072.
A task release for replacing culverts at Ada and East Main Streets from Carter & Sloope were approved along with one for a Depot Street storm drainage improvement. The two projects total $34,500.
Water stock was approved for $5,455.28.
A spearhead, metal, black fence to go around the historic cemetery on College Street was approved at $7,238.
After negotiating for months with Angela Delorme over making improvements to the sidewalk near her property, the council agreed to her proposal of having Johnson Paving remove the sidewalk, and have her own landscaper put everything back as well as upkeep from then on.
The cost to the city is $13,450, and work will begin in November.
The council had previously approved the purchase of a track hoe for the Water Department, and in turn, they planned to trade in one they have.
The department decided they did not want to let go of the other piece of equipment, so the price was increased to $47,400 without the trade in, which is around a $20,000 increase.
Shawn Scearce was approved to come off of probation. Scearce was also promoted to corporal with a pay increase based on their previously approved pay scale.
During discussion, resident Brian Higgins expressed several ways to utilize the Farmer’s Market and potentially produce revenue from the facility.
Speed tables for State Street and a traffic flow study for the intersection of Old US Highway 76 and Collins was also discussed.
Councilman Mike Panter told that another world series will be held next July with more teams anticipated to participate.
He also informed that a tennis or volley wall had been installed at the Blue Ridge City Park and a climbing wall was to be installed.
The shades for the downtown park have been installed, and the city was able to purchase and install them for less than the around $19,000 donation they had received for the project.
As a result, Panter said that he is working with Home Depot to install pergolas for adults accompanying children to utilize.
Further, Councilman Nathan Fitts suggested more clarity on agenda items for the public, and he also expressed his dissatisfaction with City Attorney James Balli.