Potential Apartment Complex Coming to Ellinger
Greg Hunger, president, called the regular monthly meeting of the Ellinger Sewer and Water Supply Corporation to order at 7:06 p.m. on Monday, July 12 at the Ellinger Fire Station. There were five directors present: Zwar, Moore, Dunk, and Hunger.
Hunger presented a letter of resignation from board member Laura Brugger. The board accepted the resignation and will have sixty days to name her replacement.
The minutes from the June meeting were presented and approved. Next Bradley Loehr of BEFCO gave the engineer’s report. He noted that the Capital Project Committee consisting of Greg Hunger and Bradley Dunk, met with City of Ellinger Mayor Matt Mikulenka and BEFCO on July 7 at the current well site. He presented an update on the water well project; the well construction is complete and the original well has been plugged and abandoned. Additionally the test well surface casing has been cut off eight feet below ground. A pay request of $11,400 was approved by the board to pay for the capping of the well. He also reviewed the final stages of the process which includes a final report and video from Russell Drilling. The board decided to hold off payment of the retainage fee of $28,703.20 until the board can review said report and video.
In regard to the TWDB Arsenic Treatment and Water Plant Project with an estimated cost of $1.4 million, he noted that he was informed that the commitment letters will not be relayed until September or October. Board member Dunk commented that these kinds of delays has pushed back the completion dates of the well projects for some time now.
Next Loehr reviewed the progress of the storage tank project. The corporation was awarded $300,000 from TWDB in order to build a new water storage tank. He reviewed original bids for a steel welded tank with an interior coating system and a concrete ring wall foundation. He noted that the current standpipe with similar specs has served the corporation well with very little maintenance since 1970. Before construction can get underway soil sampling is required. Loehr recommended that the board consider soil sampling for the filtration facility at the same time. Soil testing for the storage tank is part of BEFCO’s services at a cost of $5,000. The board approved paying an additional $500 for an additional boring at the filtration site. Loehr also noted that environmental work still needs to be completed by Langford as part of BEFCO’s service in order to finalize the location for the storage tank. He reported that the demolition of the current standpipe is part of the project and will be challenging due to limited access on three sides due to overhead utilities.
The engineer’s report was approved and Cierra Craig presented the manager’s report. She noted that the discharge flow at the WWTP had increased significantly during the reporting period, and suspects the excess rainfall in the area had an impact on this number. She noted that corporation members should have received a welcome letter from Inframark outlining payment options for their water bills. These options include paying online at www.paymyinframarkbill.com with a credit card or check; by phone at (281) 579-4500 with credit card; by QR Code on bill with credit card or check; automatic bank draft or recurring credit card; in person: (no cash payments) checks, money order, or cashier’s checks only at their office in Katy. There will be a credit card convenience fee of 3% of transaction and E check convenience fee will be $1 per transaction. The Arsenic Mandatory Public Notification letter was also included in this correspondence.
Water and sewer bills should be mailed the third week of July; delays are due to transfer of records from one system to another and amended information not published in the current tariff. Meter reading will continue on the same monthly schedule, but bills will be staggered for a few months to get the billing system on track. Late fees will be waived until all is worked out.
The board approved the financial report and payment of bills. It was noted that changes will be needed to the signature cards at the corporation’s banks.
Under new business the board discussed supplying water/sewer services to a potential apartment complex development. Representatives indicated that they would like to build a 38 unit complex near Schumacher and Fordtrandt. A nonstandard application is required and then will be reviewed by the board, Inframark, and engineers to see if the corporation has the capability for services without taxing the current water and sewer systems. Additional connections would bring in more revenue, but could end up costing the corporation more money due to infrastructure updates—larger water lines and a new sewer plant.
Roy Moore motioned that the board meet in Executive session to discuss tariff updates, and the apartment project. Finally the board will be contacting membership to obtain information to alert them of water system issues via text message. This system already exists, but not everyone has signed up to participate.
The next regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 9. The dates for the special meeting are still pending.
SLM Day Camp
The Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County is offering Day Camp July 26-30 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Rutersville. The camp will be for grades K-5th grade; 6th-high school students will be needed as helpers. Children can be dropped off as early as 8 a.m. for breakfast.
The cost is $50 and includes lunch and all supplies. Children may be signed up for breakfast for an extra $10. SLM or Lutherhill t-shirts will also be available for $10.
The theme is “Be Bold!” The apostle Paul writes, “Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness.” God invites you to be bold, not because you are inherently courageous or exceedingly qualified, no you can act with boldness because your hope is anchored in Jesus. This summer campers will explore the invitation to be bold in curiosity, connection, fear, and love.
Campers and volunteers needed; contact Laura Brugger at (979) 966-3455 or Kristina Bura at (713) 829-6445. Registration forms will be available at the four SLM churches and on the SLM website. Forms are due by July 18.
SLM Worship Services
Worship services for the SLM are recorded each Wednesday afternoon so they can be aired on KTIM radio 89.1 at noon on Sundays. They are also posted on Facebook (Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County) and on YouTube ( SLM Worship).
Shared Lutheran Council
The Shared Lutheran Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. in Warrenton on Tuesday, July 20. The Congregation of Councils will meet at 6:30 p.m.
AMEN Summer Food Drive
St. John Rutersville WELCA is once again announcing the following summer food list for AMEN. July: spam, canned chili, cornbread or biscuit mix, pinto beans, boxed oatmeal or cereal, Ramen noodles. For more information you may contact Lorali Schultz at 979-249- 3958. All SLM churches are invited to participate.
Fayetteville Brethren Church
Fayetteville Brethren Church has services the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at 10 a.m. COVID-19 protocols will be followed. Other services are at Industry Brethren on the second, third and fourth Saturdays at 5 p.m., Wesley Brethren on Sundays at 9 a.m. and Nelsonville Brethren on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Rev. Mike Groseclose leads all the services. The Nelsonville service is live streamed on Nelsonville Brethren’s Facebook page.
Ellinger VFD
The VFD will drill on Wednesday, July 21 at 7 p.m.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes are extended to the following July celebrants: Rilan Karisch-July 16; Aubrey Horndt-17; Alan Jecmenek-20; Burdine Divin-21; Kayla Dennis and Dewey Hinton-22; Cody Fritsch-24; Diane Marusik-25; Lucille Koehl and Hope Hess-26; Michael Schlabach-27; Martha Dove and Jacob Nigh-29.
Have News?
If you have news for the correspondent you may call her at (979) 966-3275 or email her at bartoshcarolyn@gmail.com.
Please send information by noon on Mondays.