Paragonah board adopts agenda, authorizes water lease and access agreement, sends easement requests to attorney

The Paragonah Town Board on March 11 adopted its meeting agenda, approved corrected minutes from Feb. 11, and moved forward on several infrastructure items, including a temporary water lease and an access agreement for a pending water project.

A single bid of $300 from Dalton Rouge was reported for a town-owned merry-go-round; because it was the only bid, the board said it will award the item to Rouge. The board then approved minutes from its Feb. 11 meeting after a member noted a spelling correction to Kaylyn/Caitlin's name.

In a substantive action, the board approved a resident's request to lease roughly 29 acre-feet of town underground water for the coming irrigation season, subject to a clear condition: the town retains the right to reclaim those water rights if needed for the town's new well and tank project. The lease applicant said he had paid filing fees and roughly $400 for use last year and that he would relinquish the rights if the town required the water.

The board also agreed to pursue a written access agreement to use an existing concrete dip and access road on property owned by Ryan McPherson to reach the future well and tank site. Mayor reported McPherson had agreed to allow the town to use the dip if the town replaces or repairs any damage caused by construction. Councilors asked staff to consult the county engineer and prepare a written document making the access and repair responsibilities clear; the motion to seek the engineer and prepare the document passed.

On utility property issues, the board received three requests from property owners proposing exchanges for power-pole easements. Members agreed to send those requests to the town attorney to confirm what the town can legally accept and tabled further public action until legal review.

The board also adopted Resolution 26-1, an amended and restated municipal power-pooling agreement (the power pool managed by UAMs), to keep the town in the pool for its wholesale power arrangements. Councilors said the agreement is an annual administrative action that maintains the town's participation in the pool.

The meeting closed after routine reports from water, power and roads, and the board voted to adjourn and approve bills and financial statements.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt agenda: motion passed (ayes recorded).
- Approve minutes (with spelling correction): motion passed (ayes recorded).
- Award merry-go-round bid (Dalton Rouge, $300): single-bid award (decision acknowledged in meeting).
- Authorize seasonal water lease with town's right to reclaim for water project: motion passed (ayes recorded).
- Direct staff to seek county engineer review and draft written access agreement for use of McPherson's dip (with repair clause): motion passed (ayes recorded).
- Send property-owner power-pole easement requests to town attorney for legal review: motion passed (ayes recorded).
- Adopt Resolution 26-1 (amended and restated municipal power-pooling agreement): motion passed (ayes recorded).
- Adjourn and approve bills: motion passed (ayes recorded).

What happens next: Staff will contact the county engineer and the town attorney to draft the access agreement and to advise on power-pole easement requests. The water lease will proceed under the condition the town may reclaim the rights if required for the new water infrastructure project.