Submitted by Yvonne Krehbiel

City Clerk

Utilities consumed the council’s attention when Bern City Council met Tuesday, Feb. 14. A quorum was not present when Mayor Dallas Wood, council members Carla Meyer and Nathan Streit, and treasurer Bill Sheik gathered.

Water manager Rob Myers reported that the Rural Water District (RWD) is looking to re-drill one of their wells, so that will be a major expense the city will share since we buy water from the district. Myers has solved various problems for customers during the month.

Back in October, the city approved an estimate from Pinnacle Electric for installation of a stand alone generator to run the water system in case of power failure. The council approved the updated estimate dated Jan. 22 in the amount of $17,681. Approximately 70 percent of the cost will be covered by COVID relief funds the city received. All year, the city has purchased water from the RWD at the cost of $2.50. The actual cost of water for 2022 was $2.81 per thousand, so the city will pay the difference of $3,809.90.

Quarterly testing of the wastewater system discharge was within proper parameters. The recent KDHE inspection report mentioned cat tails and lagoon fence. These issues will need to be addressed at a later meeting.

The City of Sabetha comes over to monitor our wastewater system. They are replacing the pump at the lift station.