New questions over water issue

Water will once again be a major part of the agenda Monday night at the regular meeting of the McCook City Council.

In response to a proposed moratorium on water well drilling by the Middle Republican Natural Re-sources District, the City Council is being asked to give direction to city staff on how to proceed.

At the suggestion of the McCook city staff, the Council is being asked to request an exemption for the temporary suspension rule for all municipal water systems in the MRNRD.

If that request fails, it is suggested the city request a variance to the temporary suspension rule for the city of McCook. As a last resort the city will be asked to seek relief through other means.

In the City Council packet received Thursday, city staff said, "If action by the MRNRD makes it impossible to consider an alternative water source as a possible solution to the city problems, this will eliminate an option that might save the city water rate payers and tax payers substantial sums of money."

Council members will also receive and file a summary report on the recent assessment of the former McCook Army Air Base.

On May 6, the City Council authorized Mayor Linda Taylor to submit a letter to the Nebraska congressional delegation asking for help in obtaining a copy of the recent report conducted, under contract, by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The city received a 21/2-inch-thick report on May 21. This document is available for viewing at the City Clerk's office at city hall.

The report left unanswered questions for the city of McCook, according to the council packet.

First: Is the site now, or will it ever be a "Super Fund Site?"

"As long as the site is used for farming it will not be a "Super Fund Site." As long as this land is used for farming the EPA will conduct no more environmental type tests.

"If the use of this land changes then the EPA may conduct additional environmental type tests, and yet it is anticipated these additional tests will not cause the site to be designated a "Super Fund Site," reads the council packet.

The second question is in regard to whether the land can be considered for use as a municipal water well field site.

"More environmental-type tests and studies are needed before the EPA will answer this question. EPA will not order any more tests until after a municipal water well field is established at the site. Then, they will conduct the necessary tests to make this determination."

Which raises the question; If the city were to establish a municipal water well field at the site and subsequent testing by EPA indicated the site was not suitable for such use, who would be responsible for the remedial measures necessary to make it a suitable site?, asked City Manager John Bingham.

"The lack of information in this report suggests the former McCook Army Air base not be considered as an alternative source site in the current study being undertaken by Olsson Associates," Bingham suggested in the packet.

In other action, city council members will be asked to approve:

- Changes to a city zoning ordinance which will change lot size and setback rules for construction of non-agricultural buildings in and agricultural district.

- Amend the Municipal Sewer Department; Sewer Excavation Trenches to give specific instruction on how a job site that contains alley or street excavations are to be managed.

- A perpetual care fee of $150 for the purchase of each space or niche purchased in a city owned cemetery. The fees will be used to maintain city-owned cemeteries.