Council receives updates on several city projects

Updates were given on the status of several projects currently underway at the regular monthly meeting of the California Board of Aldermen, Monday, Jan. 4, at the City Hall.

Bob Gilbert, Bartlett and West Engineering, provided information on the new water tower on the west end of the city and the additional cost to add the new city logo. After discussing the fact that the name of the city is barely readable from the new Highway 50, and determining the logo would not really be visible from the same vantage point, the council decided by a 5-1 vote to not spend the additional funds necessary to add the logo. Gilbert pointed out that even the Pinto head on the school logo on the near side of the tower is not fully visible, since the top of the logo is wrapped up over the curve of the tower.

Gilbert also explained since the new well drilled near the west water tower is really a good producer, a 175 horsepower pump motor is all that is needed, rather than the more expensive 200 hp motor. Testing indicated the well will produce 1,000 gallons per minute, with only a 16 foot draw down, and a 12 minute recovery when the pump is turned off. Once again, Gilbert commented it is possibly the best producing well in the area. It is necessary, however to install a "sine wave filter" to eliminate, or at least reduce, some "electrical noise" (high-frequency electrical distortion of the voltage waveform). The problem resulted from changes to the windings in the pump motors, sometimes causing the motors to burn out. When a large motor is 100 plus feet down in a well, replacing it can more costly than putting in a filter. The cost of the filter installation has been negotiated down to about $15,000. The council unanimously approved adding the filter before the new pump is turned on.

The council was also updated on the progress being made towards the "Welcome to California" sign planned for the four lane Highway 50 / 87 interchange. The sign design, currently being reviewed by an engineer, will probably be completed in a few months. The sign must pass muster by not only the council, but also the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

Bill Campbell, of Putnam Chevrolet, spoke to the council to inform it of work being done near a water main which runs through his company's property at the south end of Francis Street.