After a few months’ delay the protective “technical” and decorative painting of Seward’s new water tower is set to begin – but with a few changes in the process.
First, a new contractor has installed a sheath to cover the 500,000-gallon steel water tower during the interior and exterior painting.
Second, an onsite inspector will assure engineering, quality control and financial oversight for the painting project, for which the Seward City Council on April 1 finalized a $111,045 agreement with Olsson Inc.
The contract’s scope of service document indicates Olsson will have a full-time inspector on site during the interior and exterior coating process. The inspector will monitor surface preparation and condition before and after the technical coats, as well as assuring all industry standards are met.
“We are going to have oversight on this,” City Administrator Greg Butcher said.
Once the protective coats are completed, work can begin to paint local artist Seth Bogg’s red, white and blue design reflecting the community’s 4th of July spirit on the water tower.
After the new tower is in use, the old tower will be removed.
Another public works project was on the agenda as the city council accepted a $252,050 agreement with Schemmer Associates for the construction of the Worthman Boulevard extension project and a $97,160 contract for construction engineering related to the water mains Phase 1, as well as plans to seek bids for the roadway work.
Butcher said the boulevard work involves about 1,900 feet of road completing the distance that is owned by the city in the rail campus.
He said the city has a grant from the Department of Transportation to help fund the roadway, which serves a dairy processing facility and agricultural seed company. Another company is now looking at a lot in the area.
When water mains are installed in the area, Butcher said all city-owned lots in the area will be available for sale.
That work will be the “final catalyst” for the area.
“Everything will be completed and available for sale,” he said.
In other action on April 1, the Seward City Council:
• Approved a streamlined process of certifying Seward emergency responder volunteer time, which is reported to the state for application of state income tax credits.
• Updated the 2013 version of the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act policies to assure the city maintains focus on access to sidewalks with new sidewalk and school route program, as well as facilities.
• Heard Butcher report on the hazard mitigation grant the city received to modernize the levee pump station near South 10th Street, which would automate a process for holding and releasing water to avoid flooding in the area.
• Adjusted staff pay rates for Dowding and Wellness Center pools.
• Accepted the 2023-2024 city audit.
