Lightning Strikes Twice for Alamo City Waste Water Treatment

A second lightning strike damaged one of Alamo’s waste water treatment plants according to City Manager Jeffery Floyd during the city council’s monthly meeting on July 27.

“The worst thing that we have out there is the controls [are] really not grounded like they should be,” said Floyd. “And, of course, it doesn’t matter what we do with the Lord’s work.”

Floyd reported the first damage from a lightning strike to the plants during the council’s June 15 meeting. Then, the council opted to pay $10,443 to rebuild the damaged engine, as opposed to paying $19,000 to purchase a new one.

The council also committed $10,764.36 for additional repairs to the damaged plant, as well as a new fuel screen.

The second lightning strike damaged a similar engine to the first, a 215 horsepower engine. According to Floyd, while he did not have an official quote, the cost to rebuild the second engine would be “about the same price” at $10,443. 

Floyd hoped to bring the issue to the council sooner, but the monthly meeting was rescheduled from July 20 to July 27.

“I just want to make sure everybody’s aware of what we’re doing,” said Floyd. “I don’t want to just see charges on there, you know.”

During the discussion, Council Member Steve Jones said he would prefer if Floyd moved to a more proactive approach to repairs to the city’s water system, moving ahead with repairs and keeping the council informed rather than waiting for the council’s approval first.

“It might have been done in the past, but just as frugal as he is, he doesn’t want to overstep, and we can’t afford trouble out there,” said Jones.

Other council members agreed, and Floyd said he would work with the water and sewer committee to draft the proper procedures. Council Member Laura Brownley offered a motion to pay for the engine repairs, which passed unanimously.

Floyd also reported a lightning strike damaged certain systems at the local prison, as well as strikes on trees.

In other action items, the council considered implementing a service delivery strategy to deliver city water and sewer services to residents living outside the city limits. The strategy is mandated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’s application process for the required CBDG grant.

According to Floyd, the strategy is the “last leg of the application,” though it will require approval from both the city council and the Wheeler County Board of Commissioners. Council Member Jones offered a motion to move forward with the strategy, which passed unanimously.

The council also considered a memorandum of understanding with the Georgia Forestry Commission. 

According to Alamo Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Dixon, much of the equipment used by the local fire department was provided by the commission. The memorandum is an agreement which allows the department to use the equipment with the understanding that the commission may commandeer the equipment in the event of a large emergency, such as large-scale wildfires.

The agreement also asks the Alamo Fire Department to assist the commission in fighting fires if needed.

“That’s in the agreement with us getting that equipment is that we will continue to support them wherever needed,” said Dixon.

Council Member Brownley offered a motion to adopt the memorandum, which passed unanimously. 

Brownley also offered a motion to purchase four work cell phones for the mayor, city manager, police chief and property manager through Verizon, which passed unanimously.

Council Member Geoffrey Villegas offered motions to adopt a new records retention ordinance, updating the city’s record keeping process, and to adopt an agreement with the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank for a $943,000 grant with a 10 percent match for roads and sidewalks. Both motions passed unanimously.