Russellville council moves water project forward

RUSSELLVILLE -- With everyone in attendance keeping their distance, the Russellville Town Council took another step in the process of addressing water service in the town.

The council invited a representative from Beam, Longest and Neff (BLN) to discuss going forward with th prospect of replacing the town’s water tower in the future. He said that he was there to compile preliminary data for a construction grant application.

Troy Elless of Utility Management and Construction (UMAC) stated the town needed to go forward with a construction grant, rather than waste time with a planning grant. This is so that the town’s application can be submitted soon to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), rather than waiting until next year.

Both Elless and the BLN representative agreed that Amy Miller of Cornerstone Grants Management would be effective as the project’s grant administrator.

The council approved a contract with BLN, and also noted that while they approved Miller as a grant administrator, the town still had to enter into a contract with her.

Former Bainbridge clerk-treasurer and grant administrator Jason Hartman was originally on the project, but recently stepped away after stating he was unable to complete the grant application.

The council also addressed a request by Town Marshal Matt Biggs to purchase a new computer system.

Clerk-Treasurer Martha Mandleco stated that Biggs was looking at Micro Touter system, including software, a shredder and a mouse. The major issue with his current setup, she said, was that Biggs was having issues with the records management system (RMS).

A representative from AIRLINX Communications, who was present for another consideration, said he could contact Biggs and direct him to a system that was cheaper than the proposed one, which would cost approximately $890.

The council approved a motion allowing Biggs to purchase the new setup at the best price.

In other business, the council also approved a contract with AIRLINX so that bandwidth can be accessed at various spots in the town, including the Russellville Community Center.

Mandleco also stated that internal controls for 2019 were accounted for, but that Larry Tippin, who is assisting as a CPA, was currently ill.

Mandleco also stated that 40,200 gallons of water were billed more than pumped in the last month.

Town Attorney Stu Weliever was not present at the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Russellville Town Council and the Russellville Water Board is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. in the Russellville Community Center.