City approves street plan, considers water tower options
Angie Steffen Laurel Advocate Correspondent
LAUREL — Laurel City Council members hosted a public hearing for their one and six year street plan, and the plan was adopted. The first priority on the plan is maintenance on city streets for $9,500.
The next priority established for fiscal year 2021 is Main Street, including replacing about two and a half blocks on the street with new concrete and sidewalks for an estimated cost of $2.5 million.
The final priority on the plan is to put in concrete on some streets, including 425 feet of concrete between 3rd and Lonsdale and 3rd and Adkins Drive for $45,000.
Also Monday, Yvonne Hansen addressed the Council with concerns about a city sewer problem she faces. Council members will address her issues at the next Council meeting. Hansen attributes the problem to annexation. Hansen said she’s paid $30,000 in city taxes and feels the city should do more to help her or remove that property from the city limits.
Her issue will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
The Council also adopted the comprehensive plan at its Monday meeting.
Brandon Vandermey of Viking Industrial Painting gave a presentation on a water tower maintenance plan. A decision on the plan was tabled. The council will consider the plan and take action next month.
Vandermey presented photos of the current condition of the water tower. The outside of the water tower was last painted in 2011.
“The coating can be overcoated, however it doesn’t last forever,” Vandermey said. “Every 10-15 years you need to put another layer on . If you keep the tank coated well it should last indefinitely.’’
Inside the tank, he said a 48-inch pipe leads to an opening that should have a gate put on it for safety reasons.
Vandermey said the city can approach the water tower with a reactive approach and have an inspection every three years or adopt a maintenance approach program which is defined over five years with an annual fee so the city will not be surprised by a larger amount. Vandermey’s company can find things before they become a big problem.
Other towns with contracts with Viking include Allen, Bloomfield, Holdrege, Alma, and Utica.
If Laurel joins with Viking, a submarine inspection will be involved and every three years the tank will have to be drained.
The Viking plan could be put out for bids, however, the city doesn’t have to because the cost would be low enough.
When the inside of the tower is painted, a permit from the state will have to be obtained. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will be involved.
Jennifer McTaggart and Selda Vasquez-McMahan were appointed to the library board to replace Crystal Brummels and Shellene Funk.
Hillcrest Care Center Administrator Virginia Lundahl told the Council that Rev. Jeff Warner will be coming to Hillcrest Nov. 1 to offer an All Saints Day service.
He plans to bless Hillcrest, the residents, staff and the work done at the facility.
