Board of Aldermen Meeting

CITY OF WILLARD BOARD OF ALDERMEN WORK STUDY July 17, 2023 6:00 p.m. Staff present: Project Engineer, Steve Bodenhamer; Director of Finance, Carolyn Halverson, Public Works Director, Justin Sorgen, Public Works Assistant Director, Shane Fox; Economic Development Director, Greg Williams; and City Clerk, Dona Slater Attorney Ken Reynolds was not in attendance. Call to Order. Mayor Snider called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call. No roll call was conducted. Mayor Snider, and Aldermen Baird, Hall, Smith, and Swatosh were in attendance. Discussion was held regarding the development of a Willard Sewage Treatment Facility Mr. Bodenhamer handed out a memorandum detailing the costs of current projects and upgrade/expansion options. We have not received an RFQ reply from Allgeier, Martin, and Associates. Alderman Smith stated the options have been presented before but he wants a cost/benefits analysis from this meeting. Mr. Bodenhamer said the city is blocked and can’t grow. We must decide where we want to place a treatment plant. Alderman Smith asked, if we had a plant, will it open us up for growth. Mr. Bodenhamer said you must upgrade the existing lift stations because just building a treatment facility does not add to capacity. He said a treatment plant is complex. The site depends on what you are going to discharge and how. Mr. Sorgen said you must decide how to get rid of the sewage and what kind of permit you need. Mr. Bodenhamer said Springfield can charge the City what they want and there is an eight (8) percent increase annually for the next three (3) years. With your own plant you do not have to get Springfield’s approval for new development. To begin with you need to engage consultants, such as Black & Veatch in Kansas City. Next you must present your case to DNR. Ms. Halverson stated the City should go south with a plant. There is room for retail growth in that area. Mayor Snider asked what is needed to start the process. Mr. Bodenhamer said to pursue the upgrade of the 94-lift station first and the Meadows next. The City has ARPA funds that have not been allocated but must be spent by 2026. He said to put together a step plan for the Meadows and treatment plant with Allgeier, Martin, and Associates. Alderman Smith wants to see the plan and numbers. Alderman Baird said we need to get a City Administrator and let them plan for a treatment facility. The consensus is to start with the Meadows. Mr. Bodenhamer and Mr. Williams will have conversations with engineers about a treatment facility. Impact fees were discussed. These must be structured by Ordinance in our Code to have developers pay up front. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. ________________________________ ________________________________ Dona Slater, City Clerk Samuel Snider, Mayor 7-17-2023 Work Study 7-17-2023 Work Study