City water picture bleak
By Crystal Thompson
Jeff Jensen, superintendent of the Havre Water Treatment Plant, addressed the city council Monday night concerning potential water shortages this summer.
Jensen provided each council member with a map of the water line construction and improvements. He told the council that, due to the construction, the plant will be only able to work at a quarter of its capacity for a couple days. He added that construction is going well and that the people of Havre have been very cooperative in conserving water.
Jensen also reported that he met with the Water and Sewer Committee about potential water restrictions in the coming months due to the low water level at Fresno Reservoir. Jensen said that currently Fresno is at 17 percent capacity, and is in the process of being filled for possible irrigation this summer. Later in the council meeting a motion was made, per request from the Water and Sewer Committee to allow water restrictions to be put in place this summer at the discretion of the Public Works Department. The council approved the motion.
Also discussed at last night's meeting:
The Havre Youth Hockey Association presented the council with a payment in the amount of $12,000 for the Havre hockey facility.
Harvey Brock, representing the Hi-Line Merchants Association, presented the council with a proposal for "Art on the Sidewalk" to be held in June. The Hi-Line Merchants Association will be donating erasable chalk to students to draw on downtown sidewalks; and several artists will be invited to display their work in local stores. The proposal was approved unanimously.
A proposal to waive the impact fees on the construction of a 65 unit addition to the Eagles Manor in Havre was moved to the Water and Sewer Committee for further review and consideration.
One bid was received for the paving of the Tennis Courts/Elks Park parking areas. The bid was made by B&B Inc. in the amount of $26,614.50. The bid was approved by the council.
Resolution No. 3345, a resolution revising the employee policy manual, was approved by the council.
Per a written request from Chief of Police Kevin Olson, Catherine Huston was appointed to the position of probationary police officer, retroactive to May 1, 2001.
The Finance Committee reported on its 7:30 meeting, and requested approval of six budget transfers. The transfers were approved by the council. The Finance Committee also requested that a resolution be drawn up allowing the funds from Triangle Telephone lease payments to be placed into a Capital Improvement Fund for technology, the council approved the request. The committee further requested that the council accept a $21,000 material and labor donation from Havre Youth Hockey as a matching fund for the hockey facility CTEP project. The motion was approved.
The Labor and Negotiation committee set up a meeting for Wednesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
The Water and Sewer Committee set up a meeting immediately following the City Council meeting to discuss the Eagles Manor fee waiver.
April claims and manual warrants were approved by the council.
All motions were approved unanimously by the council. The next scheduled City Council meeting is Monday, May 21, at 8 p.m. in City Hall.
