Eagle Lake ready to replace water meters

During Monday night¡¯s meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a cashier¡¯s check rather than a performance bond as the method of payment for Sunstate Meter and Supply Inc.

The option for the cashier¡¯s check, totaling $220,912.05, came at the request of Sunstate Meter, which will provide the meters, equipment and other supplies necessary for the citywide project.

The project funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Sunstate Meter has guaranteed it would provide the city up to 900 Neptune radio-read water meters. City Public Works Director Brian Fletcher and his employees, who will install the meters, will make sure that they are working and registering water use before Sunstate Meter receives its money.

"I want to get the meters ordeal resolved next week, get the meters here and then we will be ready to go," Gardner said.

On the commission agenda but absent from the meeting was Mike Bishop of the South Eastern Drag Boat Association. Bishop has approached the city staff with tentative plans to hold drag-boat races on Eagle Lake one weekend this summer.

The association needs 45 days before the date of the event to gather its insurance and make other arrangements. That makes the originally requested April dates for the races too soon to accommodate.

Gardner said Bishop told him he plans to attend the March 15 City Commission meeting to discuss the races.

In other business, commissioners:

Unanimously voted for a release of Community Development Block Grant funds for the 10th Street drainage improvement project.

Voted to permit the city staff to submit an application to the USDA for a grant or loan assistance to renovate the city¡¯s wastewater lift stations and upgrade its water wells and storage tanks.

Discussed the water rates charged the city by the city of Bartow and what percentage of those rates have been or should be passed along to Eagle Lake utility customers. Gardner told commissioners he will bring up the topic up again during preparations for the city¡¯s next fiscal budget.

Approved a sign for placement on the 1930s Eagle Lake jail, which presented to the city by the Polk County government. Once on wheels, the jail used to transport prisoners around the county. The jail eventually was placed on a foundation and used by Eagle Lake until 1950. It was refurbished and placed at its current site in 2006. A dedication ceremony will be held once the sign is obtained, as suggested by Commissioner J.R. Sullivan.

Unanimously denied the appointment of L.C. Starling as an alternate member of the city Planning Commission.

Unanimously voted for a release of Community Development Block Grant funds for the 10th Street drainage improvement project.

Voted to permit the city staff to submit an application to the USDA for a grant or loan assistance to renovate the city¡¯s wastewater lift stations and upgrade its water wells and storage tanks.

Discussed the water rates charged the city by the city of Bartow and what percentage of those rates have been or should be passed along to Eagle Lake utility customers. Gardner told commissioners he will bring up the topic up again during preparations for the city¡¯s next fiscal budget.

Approved a sign for placement on the 1930s Eagle Lake jail, which presented to the city by the Polk County government. Once on wheels, the jail used to transport prisoners around the county. The jail eventually was placed on a foundation and used by Eagle Lake until 1950. It was refurbished and placed at its current site in 2006. A dedication ceremony will be held once the sign is obtained, as suggested by Commissioner J.R. Sullivan.

Unanimously denied the appointment of L.C. Starling as an alternate member of the city Planning Commission.