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Lucas approves $110,000 to replace McGarity tank stem, add mixer to prevent chlorine stratification
Summary
The City of Lucas approved a $110,000 FY24-25 budget amendment to replace the stem on the McGarity elevated water tank and authorize the city manager to negotiate with Access Construction LP; staff cited repeated leaks and recommended stainless-steel replacement plus an air mixer and contingency.
The Lucas City Council on Jan. 2 approved amending its FY 2024'25 budget to appropriate $110,000 from water-fund reserves to replace the stem on the McGarity elevated tank and authorized the city manager to negotiate an agreement with Access Construction LP.
City staff member Hilburn told the council the McGarity tank stem has developed leaks. "The estimate came in at $97,380," Hilburn said, and staff recommended a $12,720 contingency for a total request of $110,000. Hilburn said staff had previously replaced 75% of the stem in FY 2021'22, and after a Dec. 1 strategic-planning inspection the number of leaks increased to three by Dec. 19.
Hilburn said staff recommends replacing the ductile-iron stem with stainless steel to reduce future failures and is adding an air mixer in the contract to prevent high chlorine concentrations in the stem. He said materials have been ordered and, if approved, work could begin in about a week and a half with the goal of completing the repair in winter to return the tank to service before summer.
Councilmembers questioned contractor selection and schedule; Hilburn said the city has a selected company, that the selected contractor provides warranty work, and that the contingency covers any additional minor repairs discovered when the tank is taken out of service and chlorinated.
The council voted to appropriate the funds and authorize the city manager to negotiate and enter an agreement with Access Construction LP. The motion carried.
Staff will notify the public and implement temporary water-conservation measures as needed while the tank is out of service.
