Kiowa Council considers partial solar power, enforcement on trash pickup violation

 


All members attended the special meeting of the Kiowa City Council last week, including Mayor Bill Watson, B.J. Duvall, Brian Hill, R.L. Simpson, Jason Thayer and Tom Wells. City Administrator Sam Demel and City Clerk Cady Tucker also sat at the council table.

After much discussion, the council agreed to look into solar power as a partial source for generating electricity for the city. This would be funded with government tax rebates. Plus the possibility of pilot projects with rural development, Demel explained. The council authorized Demel to enter an agreement with POW Solar LLC.

Whether or not the city needs a mini excavator was discussed. It's used for water projects, sewer, electrical, etc. Council members weighed the option of buying or renting the excavator. They decided they want to research the price of renting one and not purchase for now.

The council agreed to a 10-year lease with the senior center for $1 per year.

Trash collection by city crews was discussed at the previous meeting and at this special meeting. There is currently a problem with some people not bagging their trash. Demel said the trash truck crew will not pick up trash unless it is bagged. Residential customers (each household) are allowed two 32-gallon trash cans. Demel said the majority of the town has too large of containers or too many containers. There is also a problem with filling their trash cans too full and heavy for crew members to lift without hurting their backs. The council took no action and asked Demel to gather more information before the May meeting.

Demel gave an update on the KMEA bill from the inflated arctic freeze bill in February. He said the City of Kiowa still owes the $134,000 and is now being charged interest at approximately 1 percent. The city will collect from customers in their billing over time as discussed at the April meeting.

Kiowa's electricity went off unexpectedly April 22 at 10 a.m. for about a half hour. Demel explained it's because an electric coil had tripped on a transformer. He said they got an old one working at 58 years old. The council approved the purchase of two at $3,000 each or $6,000.

Demel asked the council to set a limit to authorizational changes on the water project.

The council also authorized Demel to hire the pool staff. He is in process of those hirings.

The special meeting started at 7 and adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

 

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