KANOPOLIS — Brian Pruitt was sworn in as a new council member during the May 8 Kanopolis City Council meeting.

Lead pipes within city limits again came up during discussion with maintenance supervisor Mike Bunch.

“They said the regulations will not change and we have to do it or we will lose all federal funding for city,” he said. “They said it’s imperative we get this started because it has to be done. There are dire consequences for funds if we don’t.”

The suggestion from a recent water meeting was to include a letter in each customer’s water bill to inquire if the customer knows if there is lead pipe from the water meter to their house.

City Clerk Deb Kralik said she will check about the requirements and report back to the council.

Bunch said the city is in good shape for its main lines because the city replaced most of its water lines with PVC pipe several years ago.

“We shouldn’t have any issues from water lines to the meters. It’s just the meters to the houses, that’s our responsibility,” he said. “The first step is to find out who knows what the piping is that comes into the house.”

Bunch said the city has until the end of 2024 to complete the project.

In other action, the council:

• Discussed the water tower project, which was recently approved by KDHE. The plans are currently at the Rural Development office awaiting approval.

“I have concerns about the 6-inch lines if we lose the old water tower,” council member Tom Wilkinson said. “We will be coming up the street through a 6-inch line rather than a 10-inch line.”

• Discussed abatements. The property at 420 S. Iowa has until June 1 to be cleaned up.

During discussion, Bunch requested specific, written instructions.

“I want to know what you want done,” he said. “I can guarantee you it’s going to turn into a mess.”

Council member Jim Zvolanek said he will meet with Bunch to give direction on the cleanup, should the property not be in compliance by the deadline. The council also discussed the possibility of having a sheriff ’s deputy on-site during portions of the cleanup.

• By consent, agreed to continue Sarah Freeman as the Grow Ellsworth County board representative.

• Removed a request from the Ellsworth County Medical Center for funding for the mammography center from future agendas because the hospital’s financial goals have been met.

• Approved a bid for a new heater at the community center. The contract was awarded to City Plumbing for $22,000.

• Approved a bid from South Central Sealing and Paving for $71,454.96 to slurry seal streets this summer.

• Discussed a request from the City of Ellsworth to participate in a grant to improve streets, sidewalks and trails. Kralik said she will find out more about the $400,000 project, which would require a 20 percent match from each city.

• Discussed a request from ECMC to install an LED sign in Kanopolis. Zvolanek said it sounds like a good idea, but he would like additional details.

• Discussed the new fire department building. Kralik said the building bid did not include door openers, which have been ordered.

• Approved a $400 contribution to the recreation department for Fort Harker Days.

• Discussed the library’s request for a new microwave. Bunch said he has an extra one he will donate.