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Atkins council authorizes expedited repairs to 1939 water tower after DNR finding
Summary
Following a DNR inspection that escalated earlier findings to a 'significant deficiency,' Atkins authorized staff to negotiate an expedited contract for emergency repairs to the 1939, 40,000-gallon elevated water-storage tower and to return proposed contracts to council for formal approval; council noted the repairs will require reallocating funds.
The Atkins City Council voted unanimously to authorize expedited negotiation for emergency repairs to the city’s 1939 elevated water-storage tower after a recent Department of Natural Resources inspection upgraded prior deficiencies to a "significant deficiency." Staff said the finding requires a concrete plan and prompt action to keep the 40,000-gallon tower in operation.
Scott told the council the DNR completed a multi-year inspection and the most recent review elevated a previously-identified concern. "We’ve identified that there are emergency repairs that are very, very necessary for this water tower to stay in operation," Scott said, and staff distributed a consulting-engineer letter recommending emergency action.
Under the resolution staff cited a local procurement provision (section 384.103 of the code) that permits expedited negotiation and temporary waiver of typical bidding timelines when an emergency threatens public service. The motion authorized staff to negotiate directly with Viking/Industrial Painting and to return the negotiated contract for council consideration at the next meeting on March 24; staff said DNR requested a copy of the contract by March 31 as proof of action.
Council members discussed storage capacity and alternatives; staff and the consultant said the existing tower provides seasonal buffer storage and that building new ground storage would cost substantially more (estimates in the discussion put the cheapest ground-storage option at over $1 million). The consultant said the targeted repairs and new protective coatings should extend the tower’s service life for several years without immediate need for a new structure.
Council approved the resolution to pursue an expedited repair contract and noted that unanticipated repair costs will require reprioritizing some projects in the short term. Staff said they will return a proposed contract for council approval and will coordinate reporting to DNR to satisfy the agency’s timeline.
