Fulton is taking renewed steps toward fixing ongoing problems of stormwater inflow in its sewer system.
The sewer system, also known as a wastewater treatment system, is designed to be separate from the stormwater system, but heavy rains have spiked the levels of water in the sewer system. That tells city officials that stormwater is getting into the sewer system.
The City Council on Tuesday heard a report from interim City Engineer Kyle Bruemmer, who said the city has contracted with engineering firm Burns & McDonnell for about $108,000 to study the problem. Applying fixes would cost much more.
Director of Administration Bill Johnson said the city's sewage plant typically processes 2 million gallons a day. But a recent 1-inch rain spiked that to 12 million gallons. He said the city hopes to make fixes that will reduce such spikes to 7.5 million gallons, which is what the sewage system is designed to handle.
"How long to get this straightened out?" asked Ward III Councilwoman Beverly Gray.
"Years and years," Johnson replied.
The study is expected to be finished by the end of the month.
Bruemmer said some of the problem might be from aging infrastructure such as underground pipes that have been compromised, while some of the intake might be occurring at residences.
He said the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has written consent orders, requiring the city to address the issue.
Some of the costs could be paid for through the -cent sales tax that Fulton voters recently approved for stormwater and parks.
"Every other city has problems like this," Bruemmer said. "We're not unique."
Also at the meeting, the council held public hearings on proposals to voluntarily annex two tracts of land into the city: 40 acres in the northeast corner of town and 1 acres on the west side.
The 40-acre tract is owned by HCW, a local contractor, and would be purchased by Rob Barnes, the city's new assistant director of administration.
Barnes currently lives about 2 miles outside the city limits, but wants to buy the land to fulfill a city requirement to live within the city limits.
No one spoke for or against either proposal, other than Barnes speaking in favor of his.
"I'm looking for the support of the council to help me be a resident of the city," he said.
The land would be zoned agricultural, and Barnes said he would fund all needed utility connections.
The council gave first-round approval to the annexations and could give final approval at the next meeting.
In other action, the council:
Approved a motion to raze the old Whisky Wild building, which would cost an estimated $30,000-$40,000.
Heard from Bruemmer that the city's annual $40,000 per year of STP grant funding through MoDOT for road/bridge projects likely will be ending.
Approved a contract extension with Allied Waste. The city will pay $32 per ton of trash to go to the landfill, which is up from the current fee of $27.50. Johnson said he hopes the city will be able to absorb the increase without passing along a rate hike to residents.