City approves $1 million for water reuse project
The Clovis City Commission wasted little time Thursday injecting capital into its effluent water reuse project.
In its only discussed action item on the agenda for the first meeting of 2010, commissioners approved use of $1.088 million to move to 100 percent design of the project.
The project would take water from the wastewater treatment plant and distribute it for industrial uses, including watering grass in city parks.
Mayor Pro Tem Randy Crowder said the city produces about 3 million gallons of effluent water per day. Through storage, and the reduction in city water usage during winter months, peak days could see the city use 5 million gallons of effluent water.
“We’re using drinking water to dust down the landfill,” Crowder said. “We’re using drinking water to build roads. We can do better.”
Crowder cited the November closing the Curry County Underground Water Basin to the depletion of the High Plains Aquifer as need to make the project happen.
The city set aside $1 million in 2007 for the project, which is currently at the 25 percent design phase.
But to qualify for federal stimulus funding, Crowder said, projects have to be shovel-ready and at 100 percent design level.
A $920,000 grant was awarded the city by the state. That money is now frozen as the state works through budget deficits.
The effluent water distribution system would be built in two phases. The first phase would move water from the city’s wastewater plant to a high-rise near Bob Spencer Field. The second phase would take the water to northern and eastern areas of the city.
Crowder said getting the project up to 100 percent design would take about eight to 10 months. From groundbreaking to completion, Crowder said, is an unknown because he’s never dealt with a similar project.
The project was estimated at $16 million when first created, with the expectation it would start in an industrial park area with a new ethanol plant, Crowder said. But that plant never came, and he credited City Engineer Justin Howalt with helping reduce the project cost to approximately $12 million.
Action taken Thursday by the Clovis City Commission:
• The city introduced an ordinance allowing reduced landfill fees for materials from demolished dilapidated structures.
Normal landfill fees are $26 per ton. The ordinance would allow, with city manager approval, a reduced fee of $10 per ton.
Junior Dallas, who demolished a property on Pile Street last year, asked the commission in December about a reduction in fees. He said the building was demolished in the best interests of the city.
Community member Jack Muse agreed with Dallas.
“I know Mr. Dallas bought that property just to clean it up,” Muse said. “If there’s anything the city can do to alleviate his dumping fees, that would be appreciated.”
Commissioners told Dallas Thursday that the ordinance could apply to him. But he was warned the ordinance still needed to be approved, and he would still need City Manager Joe Thomas’ approval.
• The city reallocated $2,000 in lodgers tax money to the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce. The money was previously allocated for a rodeo that never took place. It will instead be used for expenses associated with the Clovis Music Festival.
• Approved a conveyance agreement with Tierra Realty of Taos for Hotel Clovis.
The company is taking control of the hotel, in city hands since 2004. Tierra is submitting various applications to the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, and the conveyance agreement would show Tierra controls the hotel.
• Approved Randy Holland to serve on the Keep Clovis Beautiful Committee. The office supply store owner will replace Pete Hulder, who stepped down for health reasons.
• Approved a budget change of $250 allowing the Region V Drug Task Force to use a storage unit for equipment. The money comes from the forfeiture fund.
— by Kevin Wilson
