By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The City of Olive Hill met for their regularly scheduled meeting on December 16; however, Mayor Jerry Callihan was unable to attend, leading councilman Kirk Wilburn to fill in as Mayor Pro Tem. The council approved minutes from previous minutes before moving on to current city business.
As part of that current business Janey Orcutt, from FIVCO, presented the council with a plaque in recognition of its partnership with regional development and improving quality of life for the citizens of Northeast Kentucky. FIVCO regularly works with local government and other organizations throughout their area development district.
In other business, the council received an update from Bluegrass Engineering on the Tygarts Creek Pump Station Project. The council was made aware that the project is in the wrapping up phase and the sewer lines will soon be tied in. The clear wells have been finished, and the leak detection has been completed, Bluegrass reported. Bluegrass also reported that there will be some funds left, and there will be other projects those funds could be applied to finishing.
One problem with leaks that was discussed was that the percentage of water loss has increased over the past month, rising to over 60 percent from its lowest point at 50 percent. This is caused mainly due to an old system which, as discussed in previous meetings, springs a new leak after an old leak is repaired. Bluegrass told the council that it would not be possible to make a lot of progress in lowering the percentage of water loss until a project to replace aging, damaged lines was completed.
The council also discussed the new ordinance concerning electric rates, with councilman Eric Rayburn pointing out that this could be affected by the city’s aging infrastructure, and the fact that some locations such as the water plant were not currently metered. It was also discussed that there could be some energy loss due to older meters not reading to the highest degree of accuracy, and that the city should look into the cost and potentially funding to update those meters.
Newer meters would read daily as opposed to the older meters reading monthly. This, Rayburn told the council, would be more accurate and reduce energy theft because it would make it more difficult to bypass the meter and make use of electricity the city is still paying for once used. According to Rayburn’s research, he said, the city loses over $100,000 a year to energy theft.
The council also discussed the need for a meeting of the Code Enforcement Board. Certified letters had been sent out to five property owners who currently have code violations. The next step would be the meeting of the Code Enforcement Board to discuss action against those properties, but it is unclear when that board last held a meeting.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
