Council Accepts Quote For Waterline Project

The Ulysses City Council held their meeting on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.

Those present at the meeting were Mayor Tim McCauley, Council Members: Ken Warner, Sam Guy, John Duran, and Caleb Woods; City Administrator Alan Olson and City Attorney David Black.

The meeting was called to order at 5:00pm by Mayor McCauley and led in prayer by Nathan Engelman. The consent agenda was accepted and approved by the council.

The Council first discussed the Water Line Project. Olson said the city is almost set to start installing about 620 feet of waterline on West Oklahoma Street, commenting that there is still a little bit of paperwork to finish. Olson commented on a “holdup” with the easement on American Implement’s land. Olson reminded the council about the agreement, which states that a business or area must sign an easement and the annexation of property into the city in order to receive water from this project. Olson stated a few businesses have agreed to an easement, but have not agreed to come into the city. The Council discussed the size of land easements, commenting that about 16 to 20 feet of land would be needed to install the pipes. Woods asked what would happen if these businesses did not want to give up their land, and Olson and Black answered a condemnation of land might need to happen, which could take up to six months.

Olson moved on, showing three separate quotes for water pipes. Municipal Supply Inc. gave a quote of $77,808.54. This includes 17,000 feet of pipe and the fittings that Ruben Flores would need to finish the project. Hajoca gave a quote of 87,304.87, and DCMB Supply for 86,844.10. Woods asked why the Municipal Supply quote was about $10,000 less than the others. Flores talked to the council via speakerphone, explaining Municipal Supply Inc. has the water pipe in stock, while the other companies did not have the stock, and included the cost for purchasing the pipe to the quote. The council moved and passed the motion to accept the quote of $77,808.54 from Municipal Supply Inc.

The Council moved on to view the Quarterly Report. Olson explained that the report lets the public know how much the city has in the bank. The quarter started on July 1, 2021, with a balance of $9,148,128.83. The quarter ended September 30, 2021, with a balance of $9,306,050.48. The city’s total indebtedness is $1,567,123.62. Olson told the council they received the American Rescue Plan amount of $425,081.91, although they have not received the final instructions on how they can spend it, “but by golly, we’ve got it,” Olson remarked. In contrast to a year ago, the city ended the quarter with $8,084,635.03, with $1,670,794.80 in debt.

The meeting was adjourned by Mayor McCauley at 5:41pm. The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled for Monday, November 22, 2021 at 5:00pm at City Hall.