City Council Discusses Water Treatment Repair, Memorial Day and More

City Council has a light agenda when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at city hall.

Council will take up three matters under new business.

Robert Scull, Water Production and Wastewater Treatment Superintendent, is recommending that the city purchase equipment to improve a reverse osmosis unit in the city’s water treatment plant. The city uses two reverse osmosis units to treat the water pumped from wells. The water is pumped under pressure through a semi-permeable membrane. In a memo to council, Scull notes that the seven-year-old membranes have outlived their life expectancy of 3-to-5 years. As a result, the membranes in one of the units appear to be failing, he reports. Signs of failure are higher pressure and an increase in the conductivity of the softened water. Scull is requesting council approve the purchase of new membranes at a cost of $86.000.

In other new business, council will be asked to approve the Saline American Legion’s request to use the public right-of-way for the annual Memorial Day Parade, to be held March 26. The city typically waives costs associated with the event, which are estimated at $577 for the police department and $1,258 for the Department of Public Works.

City Council will also consider adopting resolutions declaring April 28 as Arbor Day and April 22 as Earth Day.

Council may also end the meeting by going into close session to discuss pending litigation with legal counsel.

In the consent agenda, council will consider approving:

• A letter of commendation for Andrew Tyler Perrydore, who has attained the rank and honor of Eagle Scout.

• The dates for the 2012 Summer Music Series, which is scheduled to take place on South Ann Arbor Street.

• The purchase of road salt for the Department of Public Works for $46,000. Last year, the city used less than half the salt it typically uses during a winter. The price of a ton of salt has risen from $24.42 in 2004 to $42,97 in 2011. With more salt in reserve, the DPW plans to build up it reserves to avoid paying a 16 percent surcharge associated with “seasonal backup.”

• The flying of French flags downtown April 21-May 5 in honor of the French exchange students who will be in town. They will rotate with two Welsh flags April 21-29.

• The authorization of the sale of a commercial grade cable crossover machine on eBay.

• Certificates of recognition to Ross Deaton, Jacob Douglas and Ryan Fuller for the honor of serving as the Governor’s Honor Guard on Mackinac Island during the summer of 2011.