Board Contracts Black To Manage Sewer Operations
The Bourbon Board of Aldermen passed on a proposal Tuesday from Boast Public Works Contracting to go with one month of Steve Black, a public works employee with the city of Cuba.
The city will pay Black $1,000 and he will work an undetermined amount of hours. Mayor Danny Skaggs, who told the board he knows Black personally, said Black has the Class C operator license needed to stay compliant with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Black will oversee the wastewater treatment plant a few hours a week and fill out the necessary paperwork. Skaggs said he’s confident Black will do the job since he’s putting his Class C license on the line. Other city workers can handle some of the responsibilities at the plant without it affecting their other jobs.
Black will help the city determine issues with its sewer services during the month he’s contracted to work. The board will keep its options open during the month and if a qualified applicant comes forward, could look to hire that person.
Boast Enterprises was identified as a candidate at the board’s July 18 meeting and Boast was present Tuesday with the city’s former public works director Monty Todd, who is now a consultant at his company.
His proposal, however, was too much for the board. Skaggs paused Ward 2 Alderman Mary Heywood from making a motion to accept one of the two proposals Boast offered — one month or five months — and became visibly and audibly frustrated that the board was set to vote without knowing Black had made a proposal.
He later apologized to the board for his comments, saying he was stressed out from dealing with the sewer situation, which city officials say it is not in good shape.
Doug Montgomery is the former wastewater plant operator and his last day with the city was July 19. There are reportedly many issues to be looked at, including a lift station on Highway N. Skaggs said it needs to be fixed immediately because if it goes under, the city risks being out of compliance with DNR.
Black will identify the city’s sewer problems and the board could possibly look hire Boast Public Works to make the repairs, but the projects will have to be put out to bid.
Black’s proposal is far less robust than the one Boast put forth. Boast didn’t deny that it would be pricey.
"Our proposal is $20,000 more than what you had budgeted for one guy," said Boast, who was offering one full-time worker and one part-time worker. "But I think all of you understand a value-added approach. I don't know how anyone can hold a 40-hour a week job and come in and do work after hours."
Boast, whose company handles sewer services for the village of Leasburg, Camp Mihaska, Anthonies Mill, Oaks Trailer Park and Woodland Heights, promised to have someone at every board meeting complete with a report. After Boast left, Skaggs said that he respected the work of Boast and Todd, but didn't see the need for someone to be at the plant full-time.