Lind Town Council discusses ongoing well projects, financials

Lind Town Council met for regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m. With all members present, the council discussed updates for Well No. 7 project and issues regarding a Lind resident disregarding the local dog ordinance.

The meeting began with council discussing the claims equaling $9,607.50. Councilperson Kindra Haase asked for explanation on payment to Stantec of $350.

Alan Gay, Project Manager for Stantec Consulting Services, informed the council the payment contract totaling $3,500 was for the grant application prior to start of the project and would be paid in 10 payments of $350. Council members unanimously voted for the bills to be paid.

The next item of business for the council was pay requests and updates given by Gay regarding the well rehabilitation project, which had been contracted for finalization at the beginning of May.

Gay provided council with a correction to the pay request for the A19 well rehabilitation project. Updated paperwork was handed out and explained by Gay that the added $5,626.28 to the original total included work done through April 14.

The new invoice amount totaling $48,136 covers all costs for the first part of the construction, material on hand, construction administration for the first month of the construction period and administrative expenses occurred in the last month. The motion to approve and pay the corrected invoice was approved.

Alan Gay began with the No. 7 well when updating the council on the rehabilitation project. Paula Bell asked why the contractors weren’t able to effectively construct it.

Gay informed the council the equipment was in fact from the contractors company and the workers were required to learn and understand the technology of said equipment in order to construct it correctly and efficiently.

Haase questioned Gay about the time requirements in the contract. Gay responded that the delay in constructing the equipment had only put them behind maybe one day and he wasn’t too concerned about the process.

The equipment has positive feedback in surrounding areas and the products came with excellent warranties, which ensured any issues would be handled acceptably and affordably.

The main reason, Gay informed, for the delay in the project was the reversal of a pump motor on Monday, April 27, which caused a setback of at least two days. The contractors worked diligently to have the pump functioning correctly for the first set of bacteria samples taken on Wednesday, April 29.

To ensure the valve settings are tuned in correctly and in proper working order, contractors have contacted the system technician to assist with the beginning operations as a preventative insurance measure by the request of Gay.

The level detector in Well No. 7 was the only issue left of concern and the proper technician, from Portland, Oregon, had been contacted. Via phone, the technician and contractors will work together to fix the issue by May 4.

Continuing with the well rehabilitation project, Gay informed the council of a change order for well No. 6. Change order No. 2 requests an inspection involving a video scope to determine the damages to a broken column and pump.

The proposed change order No. 2 for the amount of $1,176 was moved by Strohmaier, Haase seconded and the motion was carried.

Gay moved to business regarding a concrete wall and manhole covers for the treatment plant, which he stated, looked very good. Mayor Jamie Schmunk announced she would like to shop locally for the cement wall project after receiving a bid for nearly $8,000.

Schmunk mentioned of a local construction company who had done some concrete work for her personally and she was very pleased with the work and pricing.

Schmunk and council members voiced their opinion to support local businesses and to seek out multiple bids before a decision is made. Gay advised to save cost in labor for the manhole covers, the Town of Lind would be better off purchasing and installing the covers themselves.

The final subject in the meeting was regarding the failure of a Lind resident to follow the dog ordinance. A current resident of Lind, was walking along the sidewalk in front of the dog owners house when said dog ran toward the individual, circled numerous times and nipped at their heels as the resident attempted to continue walking.

According to ordinance No. 11-02 under section three, “All animals kept within the town limits shall be contained within a structure, fenced yard, or on a leash.”

The ordinance continues to state animals are not permitted to run at large on private or public property.

Bell argued the sidewalk, being part of the dog owner’s personal property, would not have made the animal at large.

Members of the council, as well as resident attendees, argued the fact being the animal was in no way restrained, which would be a failure to follow the ordinance.

Letters have been sent to the owner in hope to resolve the issue peacefully.