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Bull Shoals council approves used Macalac to clear sewer transmission corridors; sewer camera purchase delayed
Summary
Facing infiltration and access problems, the council approved buying a used Macalac (mayor cast tie-breaking vote) to clear transmission-line corridors and prioritize sewer repairs; a $20,000 remote sewer camera purchase was postponed to focus on corridor clearance.
The Bull Shoals City Council on April 30 approved purchasing a used Macalac excavating/clearing machine to help clear transmission-line corridors and address sewer infiltration that has hampered camera inspections and repairs. The $137,000 equipment price, with related costs bringing the total to about $151,000, passed after a 3–3 council split and Mayor Bill Stahlman cast the tie-breaking vote in favor.
Council members said corridor access is a prerequisite for the more detailed sewer-camera inspections the city needs to comply with Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendations. The council has conducted smoke and dye testing and purchased a smoke-testing machine; staff reported that camera work cannot proceed until access routes and easements are cleared and transmission corridors are cut back.
"Clearing the corridors is the practical first step so we can complete camera inspections and identify inflow points," Councilman Meinking said, describing the rationale for prioritizing the Macalac purchase. Councilman Hutchison, Councilman Grede and Councilman Howell voted against the purchase, citing cost and a preference to prioritize other equipment or budget items; they did not state a formal alternate plan on the record.
The council also postponed a planned $20,000 purchase of a remote sewer camera for one month, agreeing to use the new clearing equipment first to create access for camera crews. The postponement was described as a prioritization decision, not a cancellation.
City staff reported ongoing coordination with ADEQ and EPA, development of a capital improvement plan for sewer repairs, mapping and easement identification, and planned sewer-camera inspections once corridors are accessible. The city has begun smoke testing and dye testing to locate violations and intends to follow up with citations or direct contacts where code violations are found.
Next steps: clearing transmission-line corridors with the newly approved equipment, updating the sewer capital plan with ADEQ guidance, and returning to the council with a recommendation on the sewer camera after corridor work begins.
