Blevins City Council

The Blevins City Council met on Tuesday (9-2)   All board members were present with an invocation by Barbara Patterson. The previous meeting minutes were read by Vickie Gray and accepted.

The financial report was presented and the council approved the report. There was one small water adjustment that was accepted.

An ordinance for a water rate increase was voted on and passed in accordance with Act 605 of 2021and Act 545 of 2023. The new five percent base rate increase will go in effect in October with additional five percent increases in the third quarters of 2026 and 2027.

The waste-water improvement project planning and grant request process is continuing.

The council discussed maintaining the temporary patches to the roads and that the patches needed to be stabilized before the cold and wet weather by mid-October. ARDOT has done an initial estimate for overlays to several city streets that will be funded by the State Aid Street Fund. While this is a promising sign, the official approval will not be granted until December.

There was also discussion of getting two more stop signs and a yield sign. There was a motion passed to replace these signs.

A report was given on the sewer system right of way and the extensive work that was done to clear the access. This was a team effort by Donny Lane and Keith Steed that included mowing and removing heavy brush, trees and other debris.

The council discussed a need to fix several damaged manholes around Blevins. Methods of repair were discussed as well as the need to put up a markers to prevent future damaged. The mayor made mention of getting a bid for the things needed and the council approved putting out 8 posts to mark the 4 manholes that are in the worst condition.

A bid for $3490 was accepted for the repair of erosion that has exposed one of the main sewer pipes on the right of way.

Katherine Williamson was present to ask the board if it was ok to host a 5k race for the Blevins School science club. The board unanimously approved. There was a question about traffic control. The mayor mentioned that the county sheriff could be contacted to help with traffic control and he would seek their assistance. The 5k race will be on October 11th around 9am, although the exact time is to be determined. The 5k is a fundraiser for the science club.

There is a cd up for renewal for the sewer system. A motion passed to renew the cd for 9 months.

JJ Bonner, a citizen, has repaired an eroded bank near one of the city manholes adjacent to his property. He skillfully effected the repair and Mayor Moore has asked Mr. Bonner to send the city a bill, but Mr. Bonner has not done so as of this report.

During the spring, there were several complaints about water drainage issues due to blocked culverts. The city will continue to work on the drainage issues.

Mayor Moore said he is looking for a host for the newly approved .gov domain and to create new city email addresses.

It has been noticed that some of the water meters around Blevins aren’t being read and the customers are only being charged a base rate. This is most likely due to low water usage. A motion was a passed to start reading all the meters. Mayor Moore said that, with the exception of churches, those that are on base rates only, will now be charged for the actual water use. There was discussion about electronic water meters. Mayor Moore decided to table that discussion. The meeting was adjourned.