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Pawnee City council approves claims, equipment purchases and appointments; staff reports 45 lead service lines
Summary
The council approved routine claims including a $25,000 bunker-gear purchase, authorized repairs to dog kennels, approved two replacement motors for the sewer vertical screen, and heard that the city has identified 45 lead service lines requiring annual sampling until replaced.
The Pawnee City Council on Sept. 23 approved a list of payroll and vendor claims, authorized several equipment purchases and appointments, and heard operational updates including the discovery of lead service lines in the distribution system.
Clerk/Treasurer Tamela Curtis presented payroll and vendor claims, which the council approved by roll-call vote. Notable items in the claims list included payroll totaling $11,681.85 and a $25,000 purchase from Feld Fire for bunker gear. Council Member Susan Eisenhauer moved to approve the claims, seconded by Council Member Donnie Fisher; the motion carried unanimously.
On animal control and facilities, Vickie Zelenka volunteered to be the city representative on the Animal Control Board; the council unanimously approved the appointment. The council also approved purchasing materials to rebuild dog kennels at the sewer plant, not to exceed $1,200; Council Member Eisenhauer will seek a donation from Alphia toward the cost.
Foreman Spencer Cumley reported operational items: approval to purchase a Root Begone foaming root killer for sewer-line root control, a new crew member (Brandon Holthus) began work on Sept. 17 and is studying for certification, and the crew completed a sewer main repair on Highway 50 with slip lining underway at the school. Cumley said the crew has identified 45 lead service lines — mostly on G Street — that will require yearly sampling until they are replaced, and he said the city will seek funding to address replacements when available.
The council approved buying two replacement motors from HEMI for the sewer plant vertical screen at $900 each so a backup motor is available; Council Member Charlie Hatfield moved the motion and Council Member Vickie Zelenka seconded it; the motion carried.
Why this matters: the discovery of 45 lead service lines triggers annual sampling obligations and signals a future capital need to replace lines for health compliance. Routine purchases and approvals affect operational readiness and public safety equipment availability.
What’s next: clerks will continue grant and community outreach (Angel Tree/Mitten Tree sponsorship and LARM grant reimbursement), staff will track lead-line replacement funding opportunities and report back to council.
