On March 9, the Skidmore City Council approved a proposal to upgrade and renovate the existing sewer system as presented by Paul C. Owings, Snyder and Associates, St. Joseph, at the February meeting.

The proposed collection system improvements include repairing the gravity sewer pipe deficiencies, broken cleanouts, damaged manholes and the camper dump cap, requiring that illegal basement connections be removed and video inspections of the gravity sewer.

Preliminary treatment improvements include reusing the existing manual bar screen and Imhoff tank.

Primary treatment improvements include rehabilitating the trickling filter by installing a siphon mechanism, installing a new rotary distributor and installing new recirculation pumps and controls.

Secondary treatment improvements include reusing the clarification tank.

An ultraviolet disinfection unit will be added.

Biosolids management improvements include settling biosolids stored and digested in Imhoff tank, cleaning existing biosolid drying beds, replacing valves, piping and sand and having land applied biannually.

The project life expectancy is 20 years. Snyder and Associates estimates that if the project is funded through loans only, the cost to each household will be $60.08 per month. If grants are obtained, the cost will decrease.

The bids for the lagoon removal at the water treatment plant were discussed. Two proposals were made. Telum, Bloomington, IL, gave a bid of $18,250. Johansen Drainage & Tile, Rulo, NE, gave a bid of $7,500. Stephen Johansen attended the meeting and answered the questions of the mayor and aldermen.

After discussion, the council approved the Johansen bid. Johansen stated he could start work on the project within two weeks.

The city will wait on major street repairs until the sewer situation is resolved.

David Hoyt was approved to remove concrete from a sewer pipe with cost not to exceed $250.

A mud run is tentatively being scheduled for Saturday, May 20 in the same location as last year’s. May 20 is also the tentative date for city-wide garage sales in Skidmore, Maitland and Graham.

The process has been started to sell the old city hall building to Sandy Wright. The council approved the sale for half of the legal fees associated with the sale and obtaining the quit claims deed.

Marvin Sumy, water/wastewater maintenance, is to get bids for two small water line hydrants that are needed to flush the water lines. One resident has rusty water and the line needs to be flushed.

Butch Newton has requested that two unused streets be closed. The council wants him to ask adjacent landowners for permission to close the streets before the council takes it under consideration.

During a recent burial at the city-owned cemetery, it came to light that there might be two bodies and two cremations in one 40-inch lot. Sumy will try to pinpoint the location of the original body. Then the records will be updated for that lot.