Following Wednesday’s city-county joint meeting the Emporia City Commission held their regularly scheduled action session.
During the meeting commissioners unanimously approved modifications for the Emporia Water Treatment Plant which were requested during last week’s study session. The modifications will take place in the plant’s contact basin and will better allow staff to monitor ozone levels.
Recently the plant discovered byproducts known as bromate in the water system. According to plant manager Phil Cooper the bromate was caused by high levels of ozone in the water.
The high ozone levels were caused by the commissioning of new ozone treatment equipment which was installed just a few years ago. City Manager Mark McAnarney says Emporia’s water has had a great reputation for over the past 25 years and credited staff at the treatment plant for their quick response to the byproduct issue.
The total cost of the modifications will be $60,000 and work is set to begin immediately. Work is anticipated to last between 3-4 weeks.
Commissioners also approved a bid of $53,731.39 from Van Wall Equipment for a new John Deere 1600 rotary mower. Van Wall was the lowest of two bids, the second being from Professional Turf Products in the total of $59,585.11.
Also during the meeting commissioners approved an ordinance and beer garden requests for the All Things Gravel Expo on May 30th and May 31st and the Dirty Kanza Finish Line Block Party on June 1st. In other business, Mayor Jon Geitz made two proclamations, the first naming May as Community Action Month and the second naming May 12-18th as National Police Week.
Three executive sessions also took place, no action was taken. Commissioners plan to continue those discussions at next week’s study session in city conference room 1AB at 9:30 am.
