Water, water, everywhere

The Buffalo City Council met in regular session on Monday evening, November 9 with all members in attendance. The focus of much of the meeting revolved around water: water lines, water rates, waste water, Water Board, water towers, water wells... lots of water.

Representatives of the KSA Engineering firm were present at the mayor's invitation to describe in detail the progress on the water and sewer lines being replaced throughout the city. Engineer Lanny Buck described the water system as 3 to 4 weeks from completion. He reported that all water lines have been laid, "bolted up", and they are in the process of filling the ground storage now. Still lacking, he explained, is "communication between the tower to be set at Well #3 and at the booster pump site." He attributed some of the delay to an oversight on the part of a contractor which has since been cleared up. The water tower behind City Hall will be taken down quickly when the new system is complete. The sewer lines, a project on a separate USDA contract, are "coming along" according to Buck and he expects that portion to be complete by April or May in accordance with the contract. A grant project for infrastructure throughout Jennifer Estates was described as 90% finished. Buck also stated that the projects are currently well within budget.

The Council then approved a contract with C. Miller Drilling accepting the new water well, and initiating the one-year warranty.

Mayor Royce Dawkins next addressed the water purchase agreement contract under consideration regarding the Rodell Water System. Land developer Matt Torno's company now owns the Rodell Water System which is selling City of Buffalo water to customers outside the city limits, accessed through a single 6" meter just inside the city limits. The Tornos have asked the City of Buffalo to enter into a fixed rate contract and guarantee water availability. Buck was asked to affirm that the City's water system was adequate to guarantee the water, which led to a lengthy discussion on the potential growth of the Rodell Water System. Ultimately, the Council voted to again table a decision on the contract in order to determine -- and, more specifically, limit -- how many connections can be guaranteed. Buck was invited to help City Attorney Gail Ray finalize the wording of the contract.

In other business, the Council: - approved the financial report presented by Debbie Waters. Several councilmembers again suggested that the size of the City budget -- now over $3 Million -- justifies hiring a city manager or accounting specialist; - approved the Chamber of Commerce's budget request of $41,948 but specified that the money be distributed as events come along rather than in a lump sum; - voted, in a split decision, to add a second regular monthly meeting scheduled on the 4th Monday of each month. - voted to have a representative of TML Insurance make a presentation of all full-time City employees; - voted to cast the City's ballots with BISD, nominating Sammy Johnson to the Appraisal District Board of Directors; - approved reports, bills to be paid and other routine housekeeping matters.

Chief Pavelka's police department report drew Councilmember Dianne Ryder's commendation for doing a "great job" covering the recent Halloween events that brought over 1000 people in the streets without incident or accident.

Joe Echols took the opportunity for public comment to voice concerns over Buffalo police officers patrolling on I-45, a sentiment echoed quite often in the recent meetings. "MY real concern is the traffic speeding up and down (Hwy) 75, vandalism, kids walking on Gene Street. I'd hate to see us bury a young person," Echols concluded.

Russ de Cordova used his three minutes to offer his account of the recent incident when he was arrested by Offi- cer Craig Jefferson, concluding with a suggestion that Officer Jefferson "needs to go... before there's a big problem."

Personnel, water and police departments were discussed in an executive session at the end of the meeting. Reconvening in open session, no action was taken on that session.

Another special meeting was called for Monday, November 23, at 6:00.