Chula approves $2,000 payment pending water-tower inspection; sewer permit still pending

The Chula Board of Aldermen on Jan. 11 approved a $2,000 payment to Midco Diving while the city awaits a written inspection report of the municipal water tower. The board voted 3-0 to release the funds on a motion by Alderman Benny Simpson, seconded by Alderman Kyle Gramenz.

City Clerk Ann Hamilton told the board that Midco Diving had been on site and that the city would hold the remainder of any payment until the contractor's formal tower report is received. Hamilton also reported that Kent Spainhour submitted a written water and sewer report and that the city had not yet received a draft sewer permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Hamilton said M&M Utilities capped and removed a fire hydrant behind the former Graves MFA station and removed and capped an old meter at the car wash. Public works volunteer Fred Oertwig replaced four failed meter bottoms this month; the affected accounts named in the minutes included John Boyles, Cody Ireland, Holcer Rental on Marshall and Bill Reihner.

The board also noted routine street work: MoDOT removed a city barricade and filled a hole with gravel. Clerk Hamilton reported that the backhoe's starter needs replacement; the minutes do not list a motion or estimate for that repair.

The board recorded no sheriff report and took no formal action on the DNR sewer-permit timeline during the meeting. The council set its next regular meeting for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.