Ritzville City Council deliberates water meter systems, public worksRitzville City Council deliberates water meter systems, public works

At their Oct. 17 meeting, the Ritzville City Council discussed several topics, including water meter testing.

Clerk-Treasurer Kris Robbins said staff is conducting meter reading for the last time this year.

She explained the handheld system recently went down and while the system’s warranty will cover the cost of repairs, staff will research funding opportunities to potentially purchase additional water meters and new equipment.

She said the city has 800 meters and only 200 of those are radio-operated.

Robbins said staff has received complaints about overages because of structure change and some of the overages were a result of meters were not correctly calibrated.

“We’re looking at strategies how to be more efficient in our process,” Robbins added

Robbins announced the Planning Commission conducted research at their last meeting about portable storage containers residents are using on their properties. She said cities are reviewing their ordinances and discussing measures to take regarding the containers in residential areas.

Mayor Gary Cook said Public Works Director Larry Swift has created a map of water meter locations throughout the city and will able to look at areas where several he can install several new meters.

Councilmember Michelle Plumb asked if staff could possibly look at implementing a geographic information system (GIS) they can use and update while they are reading meters. Robbins believes staff could accomplish this by purchasing a new handheld system and implementing GIS.

Robbins explained the issue is when the city installed the service, the system did not have all of the features they were promised from the contractor.

After Plumb asked if there are grants the City could research for a new system, Robbins said the city is researching grants and programs.

“The cost of meters are not that bad, it’s taking the time to replace them,” Robbins said. “We’re looking at options, we know it’s frustrating from the public’s side. We’re talking about how to best approach the issue.”

From a building code standpoint, Robbins said there are not many restrictions regarding the large storage containers, but the commission realizes they will be used on commercial properties. She added the commission will go analyze research and send recommendations to council.

During his report, Cook said he and Robbins are putting together a draft of the 2018 preliminary budget and will have it ready for Council to review at the next meeting.

Before the meeting, Cook said he will meet with the department heads and discuss their budgets and line items.

Swift said crews are winterizing equipment and reading water meters.

When asked how Well No. 9 was running, Swift explained the well is running on a consistent basis, though crews heard a noise coming from the well that is not from the motor. He said crews will have the well examined before the next meeting.

Councilmember Mike Schrag asked about the $15,000 for sealing cracks on city streets, which council approved at their Oct. 3 meeting. Cook said he contacted the contractors, who said because of the weather, the city’s crews should wait to begin the crack seal work until the spring.

Cook also reminded council $15,000 will not be spent until crews begin the work. He suggested council could allow the city to spend a portion of the funds to purchase materials for sealing and store them until the city completes the work in the spring.

Councilmember Scott Yaeger asked if staff could have an estimate of how much the price for materials will increase in the spring and present them at the next meeting before council makes a decision.

Plumb asked about the sounder crews installed in Well No. 8.

Swift said crews ran the sounder down the well and the water had dropped several feet.

He added crews estimate the water in the well is about 50 feet lower than it was in 2013.

Swift will contact Evergreen Rural Water of Washington for technical services and ask them to examine the well and acquire more data for staff to review.