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Buhl to seek $150,000 in CDBG support for planned water tower; council discusses utility rate study and water testing request
Summary
City Engineer John Jamnick said Buhl will present to the St. Louis County CDBG evaluation board on Jan. 15 seeking $150,000 for a water tower project; council also noted an upcoming utility rate study and directed staff to pursue water testing for State Street Apartments after quality concerns were raised.
City Engineer John Jamnick told the Buhl City Council on Jan. 7 that the city is scheduled to present to the St. Louis County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) evaluation board on Wednesday, Jan. 15 to request $150,000 toward construction of a new water tower.
Jamnick identified the presentation date and the requested amount during department reports. Administrator Tony Jeffries also briefed the council on related local developments, including the completion of an all-fiber network by Paul Bunyan Communications and staff monitoring of a St. Louis County floodplain ordinance that could affect the city; Jeffries said staff does not anticipate a significant impact on Buhl.
Councilor Denise Kealy raised the status of a utility rate study being conducted by consultant David Berg; Jeffries said the study’s results are expected within the next month and may prompt a discussion of rates. Kealy also asked about potential changes to the former Martin Hughes School; Jeffries reported no new information on redevelopment.
Councilor Taunya Teska-Erickson flagged a recent 911 call concerning a water-main break that suggested recorded instructions might be misdirecting non-fire emergencies to 911. She asked staff to review recorded instructions so that 911 dispatch is reserved for fire-related incidents.
Separately, Kealy asked the administrator to pursue water testing at the State Street Apartments after residents reported alleged poor water quality; Jeffries said he will follow up to arrange testing.
Why it matters
The CDBG request would provide partial grant funding for a capital water-infrastructure project and could influence project scope and financing. The utility rate study may lead to rate adjustments if recommended by the consultant. Water-quality concerns at an apartment complex prompted a directed follow-up and potential public-health testing.
What’s next
City staff will present the CDBG application to the county evaluation board on Jan. 15; the city expects the utility rate study report within about a month; the administrator will pursue water testing for State Street Apartments and report results to council.
