Bob Foos
The Webb City Council on Monday approved a $264,999 staff recommendation to seal up to 70 more manholes to keep stormwater from overflowing the sewer system.
William Runkle, wastewater director, wrote in his report that with this project, the city will “gain a much more efficient and reliable sanitary sewer collection system as well as satisfy MoDNR (Missouri Department of Natural Resources) that the city is serious about I&I (inflow and infiltration) remediation and SSO (sanitary sewer overflow) remediation.
Runkle pointed out this year’s contract is an ongoing effort that began last year. He said the project has proven very successful and “we intend to expand that project this year.”
For this year, he said the wet well at the Tracy Street lift station will be sealed as well as 65 to 70 manholes that are known to be allowing infiltration when it rains. (Rain carries zinc into the system.)
He said “we have confidence” in a polyurea coating, brand name Obic, to seal wall seems and pipe inlets. It comes with a 10-year warranty and life expectancy of more than 50 years.
Doing the work will be Midwest Infrastructure Coatings, of Jefferson City, the only approved Obic application contractor in this area.
The council approved the purchase of five used shipping containers at a low-bid price of $7,875 from Joplin Trailer.
Fire Chief Andrew Roughton recommended the 40-foot-long containers as the base for a “proper facility for cadets to be able to learn and practice certain practical skills such as live fire training.”
The five boxes will be stacked in a way to mimic a small two-story building.
Roughton said more expenses will be forthcoming. There is $30,000 budgeted for the training facility.
In addition to cadet training, he said it will be used for annual training of certified fire personnel, and the police department will also be able to use it for training.
In other action, the council:
• Approved first reading of a bill rezoning the southwest corner of Fourth and Devon streets from R-3 (multi-family) to C-2 (commercial) for construction of a garage and office for Quick and Clean Mobile Detailing.
• Approved first reading of a bill to outlaw corner cutting by motorists. Police Chief Don Melton confirmed corner cutting is a problem. One location cited is at the northeast corner of East and Daughtery streets.
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any motor vehicle upon or across any sidewalk, driveway, filling station, gas station, convenience store or other commercial driveway or other similar surface located at the corner of any intersection protected by a traffic light or other traffic signal or sign, for the purpose of evading the regulations governing the turning of motor vehicles at intersections.
• Approved first reading of a bill making it unlawful to urinate or deficate in public places. Again, Melton confirmed that the law addresses a problem.
The Webb City Sentinel isn’t a newspaper – but it used to be, serving Webb City, Missouri, in print from 1879-2020. This “newspaper” seeks to carry on that tradition as a nonprofit corporation.
© All Rights Reserved 2025
DIY website design by Bob Foos