Lind Council approves contract with Big Sky for sewer main inspection

During their Sept. 12 meeting, the Lind Town Council approved a $1,340 contract with Big Sky Industrial to inspect the condition of the sewer main on Sixth Street, from North S to North E streets.

Stantec Engineer Alan Gay informed council he met with Century West Project Manager Steve Nelson regarding the various road and water improvement projects for Sixth Street.

Gay said he and Nelson agreed the construction for the FEMA road improvement projects on Sixth Street, the replacement of the water main and the town’s Storm Water Project should happen at the same time.

Gay explained part of the planning process includes assessing the condition of Sixth Street’s main sewer line.

Crews pulled manhole lids and Gay used a mirror to inspect the sewer, but he was unable to see all the way through the pipe. He added crews would use a camera to inspect three blocks of the sewer main.

If the camera cannot get through because of blockage, crews will have to set up the camera in a different location, costing the city an additional $120.

Gay said the camera work is a good investment as it would let the town know whether or not it needs to fix its sewer main before crews begin working on the improvement projects.

Gay added the soonest crews can conduct the camera work would be in November and he would contact Big Sky Industrial about the scope of work.

When asked how residents would be affected by the camera work, Gay said everyone can still use residential plumbing while crews are operating the camera.

However, town employees will conduct traffic control on Sixth Street while the camera vehicle is operating on the street.

In other items, council tabled Ordinance 17.02, which declares the town will vacate Lafayette Street.

Mayor Jamie Schmunk explained the city attorney reviewed the ordinance and asked for council to wait to approve it, citing concerns and corrections needed to be made in the document.

During her Mayor report, Schmunk informed council the town’s mower is having issues and was sent to John Deere. Staff will have estimates to see if it whether if it is fixable or if the town needs to purchase a new mower.

Schmunk announced she and council will hold a budget workshop on Oct. 10 at 5:45 p.m. before the regularly scheduled meeting. The budget workshop is open for the public to attend.

In other business, Lind Chamber of Commerce President P.J. Jacobsen announced the chamber will host a Meet the Mayoral Candidates event at the Lind Senior Center on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.

Residents will have the opportunity to interact with mayoral candidates for the upcoming election and ask them questions.

The candidates are incumbent Mayor Schmunk and Council member Paula Bell.

Jacobsen also announced the chamber is scheduled to host a Zombie Walk on Oct. 28. Some of the activities scheduled for the event include a zombie walk, paintball and a showing of “Ghostbusters.”

Residents are encouraged to dress up and there will be makeup artists at the event who can help people transform into zombies.