City Council expects more Doolin homes; a better 13th Street

The Blackwell City Council met Thursday night to name two Employees of the Month and proceed with securing funds for extensive sewer and waterline projects throughout the city. The first matter of business was recognizing Wastewater Director Kent Turner and Social Medial Coordinator Charles Gerian.

Turner was recognized by Public Works Director Jerry Eubanks as being able to achieve results that would be “impossible” for anyone else to accomplish. The wastewater plant processes up to 1.5 million gallons of wastewater per day, and it holds 300,000 gallons of water at any time.

The water is tested for more than 200 different substances, including chemicals, metals and organics. Once processed, the water at the plant can be used to water crops, fight fires and cool industrial machinery. It is fit for human consumption. This eco-friendly plant takes water from the Chikaskia River, processes it through exhaustive testing and treatment, and produces statistically excellent water for both the environment and as a source for municipal use, city officials said.

Gerian was recognized by City Manager Jerry Wieland, who praised his work on the City of Blackwell’s Facebook page. Gerian posts historical stories, up-to-date information, coverage of city events, Event Center functions and news via press releases.

Onto business, the City Council once again discussed a proposed agreement with Clarity Telecom, LLC, a company seeking permission to bring its cable and internet services to Blackwell. The city would receive 5% of the business’s gross receipts. Under the proposed agreement, Clarity would be required to have a 50% build-out in two years and a 90% build-out in three years to every residence that signs up for the service.

Council members said they were hesitant to approve the agreement, as Clarity officials had not given any of their pricing details prior to the meeting. The prices were revealed to be: $50 per month for one gigabyte of internet, $65 per month for two gigabytes and $100 per month for five gigabytes. Cable service would cost $50 per month for the minimum package of 30 channels, $110 per month for 70 channels and $120 per month for the maximum of 140 channels.

Council members said they still had questions, and they voted to table to the discussion. The Council then had a lengthy discussion of plans for water lines and construction throughout the city. An extensive project discussed at the meeting includes new concrete approaches, curbs and culvert piping on several streets, including Bridge, Padon, College, Lincoln, Ferguson, Lloyd, Jefferson, Wilson, Sunset, Coolidge, Fringe, Surrey and Chrysler.

The previously approved 13th Street repaving project will coincide with repaving of Blackwell Avenue from 3rd to 13th streets. The 13th Street repaving project will run from Chrysler to Doolin avenues.

The Council also received an update from a representative of Freedom Homes, LLC. The company wishes to proceed with building additional homes because of the success of the homes currently under construction on Doolin Avenue.