Water Board Approves Payment For South D Work

Brandon Strasser was sworn in as a new water board trustee on Monday.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Water Board of Trustees welcomed its newest member, Brandon Strasser, to the board on Monday.

Strasser replaces Mike Vore, who didn’t seek another 6-year term on the board.

The board heard an update on the South D project. The crews installing the water lines have requested and received authorization to continue installation beyond the current construction area, as the project continues towards A Avenue.

Work continues on South D, and Phase 2 of the sewer work for I & I reduction.

The Trustees then considered and discussed pay application #1 from Dave Schmitt Construction Company, Inc. for South D water main replacement. The board approved the pay application in the amount of $144,596.49.

The Trustees then considered and discussed pay application #1 from Maguire Iron for water tower painting in the amount of $132,270.21.

The towers are repainted every 20 years. The north tower was built in 1932. The south tower was built in 1950. “Very long lasting pieces of infrastructure. If we continue to take care of them, we should continue to have a longer service life,” said Oskaloosa Water Department Manager Chad Coon.

The Trustees then considered and discussed amending the Distribution/Collection Supervisor job classification.

The positions are more of a lead position and will move from a salaried position to an hourly position. The position will pay the same based on a 40-hour week.

The motion passed.

The discussion then went to the wastewater operation. In Coon’s report, he highlights which include televising sewer lining for the CIP project.

The department also worked with a contractor on the South D project to dye test homes to verify sewer taps.

The city of Oskaloosa’s jetter truck has been repaired and is back in service. The city of Oskaloosa is looking to replace the unit in the next fiscal year.

Wastewater staff was watching manholes and tracking flow during the recent heavy rainfalls. Areas that were bypassing were noted and then reported to the DNR.

Maintenance at the wastewater treatment plant included cleaning out boiler tubes and replacing a relay in the boiler.

The State of Iowa inspected the elevator at the north plant, with it passing inspection.

Due to large rainstorms, Coon says there have been bypass events at the South plant. Staff is working to lower the level in the lagoon to help make more water storage in the event of heavy rains.

Coon reports that staff spent time working on unplugging different intakes and other complaints around town.

The sinkhole that developed on 4th Avenue West between South H and South I streets has been repaired. Crews made the emergency repairs to the leak.

For the Water Distribution report, Coon says there was a water main break in the 500 block of South D on the old 4 inch main and believes the break is a result of work being done in the area.

Coon said several fire hydrants are being replaced, including those near Taco John’s, William Penn University, and South F and 263rd Street.

At the water plant north of town, Coon says that Wells 27 and 28 have been cleaned, rehabilitated and can be returned to service when the river drops back inside its banks.

Well 33 was cleaned and had a submersible pump installed, while Well 34 will be repaired due to a leak.

The Water Department had 93 water shutoff’s this past week, which is up considerably from the last several months.

The board then went into closed session to evaluate Coon’s performance during the past year. Coon was given a 3% cost of living raise by the board.