KANOPOLIS — The city water project was once again at the fore during the Feb. 8 meeting of the Kanopolis City Council.

Mayor Anthony Hopkins called Thaniel Monaco of BG Consultants to discuss issues on the water project. He noted BG Consultants has not gotten much of a response from the pump house manufacturer regarding the variable frequency drive on water well 8. Monaco said he will continue to work on the issue and also contact Yost Electric in Gorham about the possibility of getting a variable frequency drive installed. It was noted the plans for the

It was noted the plans for the new water tower need to be resubmitted by the end of the week to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Hopkins asked whether there would be cost changes on financing. Monaco said he has seen pricing come down on water towers and that Dave Barber with U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development said the city should not see any changes on interest rates.

Hopkins told Monaco there was collateral damage from when the pipe broke and flooded the new well house. Hopkins said he would like to do a walk through with whoever is going to be responsible for repairs.

Mike Bunch, city employee, suggested getting rid of the pumps currently in service and use the same pumps as the other wells.

In other business:

• Debbie Kralik, city clerk, said when she was preparing the 2021 water usage report, she discovered 20 million gallons of water were unaccounted for. A representative from the Kansas Rural Water Association was in town to check for leaks. He put a device on the valves to hear any leaking water but no leaks were detected. The possibility of a bad meter at the well house was discussed. Bunch will check to see what the usage was.

• Council members Rebekah Tripp and Thomas Wilkinson were sworn in for new terms on the council.

• Logan Smith of KDHE e-mailed the city to say he set up a poll for consumers to sign up for a drinking water protection plan town hall meeting on either March 1 or March 2. However, only three people responded so he is not sure if it will happen at that time.

• Approval was given to a bid from Long & Associates for budget preparation. The cost is $950 for one visit and $100 for each additional visit.

• Consideration of bids on the fire station was tabled.

• Kralik will get bids for city insurance for next meeting.

• Bunch said the city pickup truck needs new tires because the truck is used with the salt spreader. Approval was given to purchase four new tires not to exceed $600.

• Kralik presented the Kanopolis Library’s annual report to the council.

• Kralik said she received a request from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation to delay shutting off a customer’s water because they had applied for Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance. The council tabled shutting off the water until Kralik finds out if the money will come directly to the city and the estimated pay date.

• Approval was given to donate $75 to the Ellsworth High School After Prom Committee.

• Kralik said that Clear Creek township is caught up on their fire protection payments.

The next meeting of the Kanopolis City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at city hall.