Evans Honored at September City Council Meeting

The Booneville City Council met in regular session on September 11, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Nelson Bobrowski. The meeting began with a moment of silence for the victims of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. 

     The Council Members recognized Howard Wilson Evans, the first Supervisor of the Booneville Water District and Owsley County’s last living World War II Veteran, in advance of his 100th birthday on September 15th. 

     They gave thanks for his contributions as superintendent and his continuing guidance to the staff. Mr. Evans was very humble, giving credit to Carl Reynolds for getting resources lined up to come into the county. David Hall presented Mr. Evans with a special commemorative plaque with his picture, a miniature shovel, reading: “Booneville Water would like to honor Howard Wilson Evans as he approaches his 100th birthday on September 15th, 2024. 

     Howard was one of the original employees for Booneville Water and helped to build the foundation for what we have become today. 

     Howard was a member of the greatest generation and served our country courageously in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was given a “Happy Birthday”, and thank him for his service. 

     Mr. Evans said he appreciated it very much. “I don’t think I did anything exceptional,” Mr. Evans said, though the members disagreed, “I learned one thing: If I just be quiet and listen, I learn more.” 

     Mr. Evans was also honored by Senate President Robert Stivers and State Representative Chris Fugate with Proclamations. Lesa Marcum, the Owsley County Library Director  (Pictured below with Evans) was responsible for those proclamations, including the “Howard Wilson Evans Day” proclamation signed by Owsley County Judge-Executive Zeke Little. Marcum also provided the photos used on Booneville Sentinel’s front page last week of Mr. Evans.

     After Mr. Evans left, a motion was made and carried to approve the Minutes of the prior meeting on August 14th.

     Paul from Nesbitt Engineering delivered his report. Funding is pending for sewer Rehab I/I Project Phase 2. The Water Plant BackWash Pond project is now a part of the Division of water, and they are awaiting permits to put out bids. The Water Plant Rehab project still needs a separate project broken out for the filter surface wash. There have been several meetings on the telemetry expansion project to make the best use of the funds. The Sag Hollow Cabin designs were submitted to the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction on August 6th. The designs were also submitted to AMLER for review, and shape files were submitted to AML for environmental review. Information for Water Line replacement phase 3 has been submitted. We are awaiting a permit from the division of water to finish the water intake and have it out to bid. Pretty much all damages have been documented for the 4804 disaster, and mitigation work has been reviewed by FEMA. We feel optimistic that they will provide two raw water intake pumps to replace the two aged ones, which will be important for the city. FEMA has seen that they have been good stewards of mitigation funds.

     David Hall delivered his report. Much work has been allocated to the raw water pumps. He’s been in contact with Andrew at service specialties off-and-on to get him back down to see what’s wrong with the pump they repaired. FEMA seems enthusiastic to help on the other one which shows some concern. The water line relocation on Water street is finished and a sample should be back from Brett tomorrow. We will begin redoing some water lines next week. Many small leaks have been fixed. Mike Mason has been out doing meter readings and leak detections. The lead line inventory is coming along. More information has been put in for the lead line inventory. A tentative schedule has been laid out for Whitney to come back next week or the week after. While it’s unlikely the survey will be fully completed, it will likely be sufficiently robust come time to send it to the EPA. We are ready to do the final submittal for the software updates. This project will likely continue for several years, though there are few lines prior to 1988 that need to be accounted for. Most homes in the county were plumbed after the EPA created regulations against lead pipes, and many older homes have been replumbed through the years. However, this is still an important matter for residents and the county. Some 800-900 surveys have been completed by homeowners, though there are about 1,600 customers.

     Lisa from KRADD provided her monthly update to the members. They have scored the RFQ before the meeting for the Waterline Replacement Phase 3. She needed the members to vote to accept Nesbitt as the engineer for that project. A motion was made and carried to accept Nesbitt as the engineer for Waterline Replacement Phase 3. A resolution was also needed for House bill 723 to put in an application to match money from KIA for $160,000 for the Telemetry Improvement Project. A motion was made and carried for the House Bill 723 resolution.

     The CBWS Collections report was presented by Ruth Hensley. Collections for the month of August were $106,570. Year-to-date collections are $220,057.64. Adjustments were $1076.38. Year-to-date adjustments were $2,133.60. Meter taps were $1,850. The bills were presented. A motion was made and carried to pay the bills as needed.

     Chief of Police Claude Hudson of the Booneville Police Department presented his support. His report included: shoplifting at Dollar General, criminal trespassing, contempt of court, several non-injury collisions, drug paraphernalia located and destroyed, stray dogs rounded up, several public intoxication arrests and citations, several motorists assists, several vehicle unlocks, several student ride-home assists, live-stock and roadway removal, ball-game patrol, and more. The members extended their thanks to Claude for his hard work.

      The members decided the waterline on 10-71 (Mountain View Farms) would be discussed next month. The second reading of the tax reading was included in the members packets. A motion was made and carried to complete the reading. A motion was made and carried to enter executive session and to adjourn the meeting after the executive session.