Shelby City Council met to discuss legislation matters on Monday night. Resolution number 29 was the center of discussion and Councilman Garland John Gates addressed miscellaneous business.
Council discussed resolution number 29 which included purchasing a new roof structure for the digester at the wastewater treatment plant in Shelby.
“I believe it is evident that the entire digester cover is in a progressive state of failure. We are venting methane gas directly into the atmosphere and I think that the sense of urgency and emergency is very evident out there,” said Councilman Steven Schag.
Schag further urged his fellow council members, “Being environmentally friendly and trying to do whatever we can to keep the process going by entering this contract immediately is good environmentally and also for safety concerns. The city administration does not cry wolf because there is a real sense of urgency. We need to get the ball rolling and pass the piece of legislation.”
Even as the council discussed replacing the item, one member noted that it had served the city well.
“We had taken every precaution to fix and repair instead of replace because we thought it to be cheaper. The digester cover was placed in 1953 and the engineer suggested replacing because costs would be about just as much to fix and repair. At that point, we decided to move forward with replacement,” explained Deputy Director of Public Service, John Ensman. “We have received a great lifespan from this cover. Some of our neighboring communities have replaced their cover twice in the last 50 years.”
Councilman Gates addressed miscellaneous business regarding a sidewalk that is in need of repair. “The sidewalk on 83 Second Street is more nonexistent than existent. It is a fall and trip hazard and that one is as bad as anything that I have seen,” said Gates.
Once council adjourned, Shelby City Council Committee of the Whole came to order to discuss the electric cost of service study that was presented to council on August 19. Council looked at different examples from the study.
“This is just information that the administration is providing council. The only way to determine whether the rates are where they should be based on all of the information is to actually have a rate study, which is what we are providing.” said Mayor Marilyn John, “We are just here giving information based on a question regarding the electric rates. It is up to council to decide what to do with the information and if there is additional information that is needed, we will be happy to provide it.”