Ferrelview addresses Heady Avenue water main leak; water meter node costs rise and KC Water meeting set

Chief Water Operator Kevin Turley reported to the Village of Ferrelview Board of Trustees that crews responded to a reported water presence on Heady Avenue on Feb. 22, 2026 and identified a possible water main leak. Menke Excavating excavated the line on Feb. 23 and found a large rock pressing on a coupling on the water main tee that supplies Unicorn Apartments. According to the minutes, removing the rock stopped the water loss and temporary backfill restored full roadway access. Menke Excavating submitted an invoice dated Feb. 27, 2026 for emergency repairs in the amount of $2,374.62.

City Administrator April Baxter said she and Mr. Turley are arranging removal of malfunctioning meters and nodes for warranty replacement. Baxter told the board that pricing for water meter nodes has increased by approximately 27% while the price of water meters has not increased to date; she added $1,357 to the 2026 Water Fund line item “Water Meters & Parts” using unspent 2025 funds to offset the higher node cost. The minutes do not specify the total expected replacement cost or the number of nodes affected.

Ms. Baxter also said she received correspondence from KC Water Services scheduling a wholesale-customer meeting for March 31, 2026; she plans to raise questions about customer connection charges assessed on Ferrelview connections. Chairman Elizabeth Damm said she is willing to attend with Ms. Baxter if Water Commissioner Shondreka Burney is unavailable.

Separately, Ms. Baxter reported that Ferrelwood Mobile Home Park paid for an emergency setter replacement at 207 5th Street Lot 108 and for unauthorized usage at 525 Park Street Lot 42. The minutes show these payments were received; they do not list amounts in the meeting record.

The board recorded these items as part of routine departmental updates and approved related budget adjustments as noted in the Water Fund line-item change.