Sheldon City Council Hears Update on Lewis & Clark Water Project

Date posted - August 15, 2012

City Manager Scott Wynja brought the Sheldon City Council up to date on the status of the Lewis and Clark water project at their Wednesday meeting.

The project was Federally approved in the year 2000, with Sheldon to be on line in 2012.  All three states involved as well as all of the cities involved have paid their entire commitment to the project.  But, the federal government has not held up their end of the bargain.  This year federal funding totaled only 4.5 million dollars, while project costs because of inflation went up six million dollars.

The new water treatment system, built to handle 45 million gallons per day has begun supplying water to some cities, totaling only ten million gallons per day.  These cities are paying a premium for their water, because cities such as Sheldon are not yet connected.

Wynja told the council that until a few years ago if the Lewis and Clark project was not in the budget, area legislators would use the ear mark system to assure funding.  Ear mark reform has done away with this process.  He said that a proposed Rural Water bill is being created to provide

Automatic payments in the future.  According to Wynja, Democrats are willing to sign on to the legislation, but Republicans are not too excited about it.

In the meantime, Sheldon’s Water Supply is ‘holding its own’ during this drought situation and residents are encouraged exercise good water conservation practices.

The Council also approved a payment of $15,476 to Mid-American Energy for the extension of its gas system into the new Industrial Park.  Their actual construction cost is over thirty-two thousand dollars, but the city’s portion of that cost is reduced because of Ziegler CAT’S projected use.  If additional natural gas users are added in that area within ten years, part or possibly all of the City’s contribution would be refunded.

And, the Council heard a report that the Public Library is selling some items that are being replaced.  This includes tables, chairs, lamps and cabinets.  And they approved an Open Burning Permit applied for by Harvey Koerselman.  Koerselman wants to remove a delapidated house by digging a hole, pushing the house into the hole and burning it.  The house is located at 1017 Western Avenue.