Success in finding water leaks
– but not a big one

Five small leaks have been found and are being repaired in Webb City’s water system.

City Administrator Carl Francis admitted during the City Council meeting Monday that he had been skeptical that a guy on a scooter could effectively survey the system in three days. But he has asked Westrum Leak Detection of Stratford, Iowa, to come back next year.

Westrum’s bid of $6,000 was accepted by the city council in December. A second bid came in over $20,000.

“They (Westrum) didn’t find the big one, but we’re repairing the ones they found,” Francis said.

Westrum uses sensitive listening transducers on hydrants and valves to determine if water is leaking. Once leaking is confirmed, that area is further investigated with computerized correlators to pinpoint the location of the leak.

Westrum leaves the water system staff with maps of where the leaks are, an estimate of how big they are and resulting savings if repaired.

In other action, the council:

• Accepted first reading of a council bill that would establish a no-parking zone on both sides of Powell Drive, from Highway 171 to where it joins Broadway at College Street.

• Approved on second reading an ordinance listing nine properties that will have special tax assessments attached to them. The taxes are a way for the city to eventually recover fees for special services, such as $150 up to four times a year for mowing or as in one case, $5,100 to demolish a house. They will be paid when the properties are sold, if not sooner.

The approved liens total $21,400. That doesn’t include $5,867 in previous liens (2021-2013) that have built up for one house.

• Accepted a $29,980 bid from Musket Roofing to tear off and reroof a large portion of the farmers market pavilion to match the roof on the new addition on the south.

The Webb City Farmers Market has agreed to provide $5,000 of the cost, which will allow the city to have Musket also reroof the parks department office in King Jack Park, at a cost of $6,832.

• Approved the purchase of playground equipment for West Haven Park (Broadway at Golf Road) at a cost not to exceed $40,000.

After being absent the last two meetings, Mayor Lynn Ragsdale returned vowing his recent repeat mission trip to an isolated part of the Philippines will be his last.