SWC Council Considers Water Connection Issue

Southwest City’s unique positioning in the corner of Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma fueled a discussion on property lines at the regular city council meeting Tuesday.

The council discussed a two-inch water meter that is to be installed on a property that occupies space in both Missouri and Arkansas. It was previously stated the meter would be placed on the Missouri portion of the property and the owner would be responsible for connecting the meter to the house, which is to be built on the Arkansas portion of the land. Water will then be supplied by Southwest City.

Mayor David Blake expressed concern about city water lines being contaminated in the event of backflow. He strongly recommended the installation of a backflow protector to prevent such.

Alderman Craig Martin inquired if the meter would be within city limits, adding that he thought the limits ended directly before the aforementioned property.

Council members agreed to

review city limits regarding the matter.

Departmental Reports

Mayor Blake informed the council that new lighting on Honey Creek bridge has been installed. He noted the contractor included wired-in receptacles to be used for Christmas light displays at no extra cost. Blake also reported the city has issued the first two building permits under the new procedure and both projects are underway.

Public Works Director Shane Clark reported laying one load of cold patch and two tons of compaction rock on Liberty Road in hopes of smoothing the roadway. The street department also cleared the sides of West Comanche Street, along with regular mowing throughout town.

Clark said Utilities Service washed out the north tower on Monday. The water department repaired a leak at Honey Lake Acres and rebuilt the chlorine system at the Broadway tower. Clark said he is currently working on the chlorine system at the north tower as well.

Clark reported issues with sludge pumps at the wastewater treatment plant over Labor Day weekend. He said the issues have since been resolved.

City Clerk Missy Zinn approached the council regarding the purchase of a card machine to process water bill payments. She said a number of customers have asked about making payments with a card. Zinn presented the council with information on a Merchant One card reader. The system costs $3.95 per month and charges a percentage of the payment to the customer — 0.29 percent for debit cards and 1.55 percent for credit cards.

In other business, the council:

Scheduled a citywide fall cleanup for the weekend of Oct. 12 through Oct. 14. Dumpsters will be available at the wastewater treatment plant on Stand Watie Road from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 13, as well as from noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14;

Rescheduled the Dec. 25 council meeting for Tuesday, Dec. 18.