The City of Albany will apparently be proceeding with the procurement for a comprehensive water study following a special called meeting held last Wednesday night, November 29. All council members were present, along with several spectators, including employees from Tyson Foods.
Also in attendance were State Senator Rick Girdler, Congressman James Comer Field Representative Sandy Simpson and two Clinton County Fiscal Court Magistrates, Tony Delk and Jason Pitman.
Councilman Reed Sloan, at the council’s regular meeting earlier in the month, had requested the city hold a special meeting to discuss “water issues.”
Earlier last week, in a notice to news media listing the specific agenda for a called meeting–a water study was listed as being the topic of discussion.
It was noted at the onset of the meeting that the city needed to find funding to cover expenses for a water study of the city’s system.
Councilman Sloan began the discussion by saying the city’s water system was in “dire, dire need.”
The councilman said he had spoken with Governor Andy Beshear at the recent ground breaking on the Duvall Valley water project, and the governor had indicated the only means of getting major funding was to do a water study. “I feel like we should take their advice, it’s the best path.”
Councilman Junior Gregory questioned how much water loss the city is currently experiencing.
Councilman James Bray answered it was anywhere from 50 to 70 percent.
Bray also said he had spoken with the governor personally and was told of the need for a water study, adding water had an impact on the entire county. “We have to have it (study) before we get significant funding.”
The councilman said the two water plants produce five million gallons per day and Tyson uses about 1.5 million per day of that total.
“We need money for lines and new water meters,” he said, adding, “this has happened over time” and isn’t anyone’s fault in particular.” He further added if something wasn’t done, there wouldn’t be water for future business.
He also thanked the water department employees for doing their best with dilapidated equipment.
Bray then told those present that we (apparently some council members) had reached out to another (engineering) company to make a presentation pertaining to a water study and possible ways of funding the study.
A representative from Commonwealth Engineering then addressed the council and spectators, saying “I’m not here to make a sales pitch…just to give information on going forward.”
The representative discussed criteria such as a preliminary engineering report, types of funding available for such a study, lead lines that may be in some areas, and so forth.
He said the first step in the process was to procure an engineer by advertising for proposals from companies and scoring them before selecting one to do the study.
Step two, the representative said, was “chase the money” to fund a study, with the third step being design and construction. He said there should be a model in place.
He did add the city could apply for reimbursement to pay for the study.
The council then recognized Willard Johnson, a member of the Clinton County Community Foundation, which is a subsidiary of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, based in Hazard, Kentucky.
Johnson informed the council that the Foundation does make contributions to non-profits, such as counties and municipalities, for some projects and said the city may qualify for such a donation.
Following Johnson’s presentation, Councilman Bray said, “We’re not hiring anyone. We’re just putting this out for procurement bids.”
David Bowles of Monarch Engineers of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, the firm that has been the city engineers for many years,  said a request for qualification would be helpful and “can tell you where you are.”
Bowles further told the council that he planned to review the 2022 audit report with the council at its regular meeting (which was held this past Tuesday night), which may also shed some light on the water system situation.
Will Clem, with the Kentucky Department of Local Government (DLG), also asked if the Lake Cumberland Area Development District (ADD) had been contacted for advice.
It was noted that if the council voted on the issue now, it could take up to three and a-half years for any ground breaking, in which Bray replied, “We should have done this a long time ago.”
State Senator Girdler then told the council he had talked with other state officials and the DLG and said Clinton County was now included in House Bill 9, meaning they are eligible for funding through ARC (Appalachian Region Commission).
Girdler also said that Tyson, the county’s largest employer, is going to be a big player in this. “We will do anything to help if you give us a way to ask for it.”
Congressman Comer’s Field Representative Simpson congratulated the city on getting the long-awaited Duvall Valley water project underway and said things were going in the right direction in regards with USDA.
Simpson also offered the council any assistance they may need from the federal level through the congressman’s office on the water study or any other project.
Although several others were in attendance, no other individuals addressed the council on the issue.
When discussion and comments ended, Councilman Bray made the motion to proceed with procurement for a water study, which was seconded by Councilman Sloan and passed by unanimous vote.
The council was expected to further address the issue and possibly advertise for an engineer to do the study at its regular meeting held Tuesday, December 5, which was too late for press deadline. (Details on that meeting will be published next week.)
The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, at 5 p.m. and is open to the public.