Albany City Council met in regular session last Tuesday evening, August 2 with five of six members on hand. The council dealt primarily with water related and natural gas issues, as well as bids on surplus vehicles.

The council first heard from Clinton County resident and poultry house owner John Freeman requesting a water meter be installed on his property around the areas of Hwy. 415 and Hwy. 350 in the eastern portion of the county.

Freeman requested the meter so he could hook up a one-inch water line to supply water to his several hundred acre farm and cattle.

The council, on a motion by Tonya Thrasher, voted to allow the meter to be set with the stipulation that Freeman pay for the meter hook-up and be responsible for maintenance of the water line on his property.

The council then opened sealed bids on two surplus vehicles, a Chevy truck and a Ford Escape. Only one bid was submitted on the Ford Escape, that being from Bobby Jones for $100.04. Two bids were submitted on the Chevy truck, with the high bid from Debbie Elmore at $649.00. Councilman Leland Hicks made a motion to accept both high bids, for a total of $749.04.

The council then voted to declare a 1998 Ford F-150 half-ton truck as surplus and sell via sealed bids, setting a minimum bid on that vehicle at $300.00.

Mayor Nicky Smith then updated the council on the low water pressure problems being faced by some residents in the Bald Rock area of eastern Clinton County, and an associated water tank the council agreed to have placed in the area that will hopefully alleviate the problems.

The mayor said the city was waiting on a construction estimate for a 2,000 gallon storage tank to be erected and placed near the pump station. Once the estimate is obtained, work on the tank can proceed.

The mayor also said he had been in contact with Navitas gas company contractors about repairs yet to be made in the area of Wood Street in west Albany, due to some street and other damage done while a gas line was being repaired several months ago. The mayor said after a week, he still hadn’t received word back.

After a brief discussion, council member Tony Delk moved to have the city make its own repairs and send all associated bills, including per hour labor time, to the company.

City legal advisor Norb Sohm also noted that the franchise with Navitas has expired and the city may await repairs and payment to be made prior to taking action on that contract renewal.

Prior to adjourning, the council entered in a less than 10-minute closed session on personnel but took no action upon returning to open session.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, September 6 at city hall and is open to the public.