Bonne Terre ends contract with Alliance

BONNE TERRE — The city will be terminating their contract with Alliance Water Resources for water services.

During a city council work session Monday night, Mayor Fritz Gower announced they gave Alliance 90 days notice that they aren’t going to use them for water services the next budget year, which begins Oct. 1.

The city will continue to use Alliance for sewer services.

The city contracted with Allliance for sewer services in November 2005 and in October 2006 for water services. Contracting out for sewer was part of the settlement agreement with the Department of Natural Resources over violations. The contracts were through 2010.

City Manager Larry Barton and Gower said they were dissatisfied with Alliance’s service. Gower said the main reason was Alliance’s lack of communication with the city.

Last week, Chad Shelby of Alliance requested this work session to discuss water and sewer issues and the budget for next year. However, he could not be at the meeting because of a family emergency.

With Shelby not there, the council moved on to other issues. The council approved Sullivan Publication, a Missouri company, for codification. Barton said he believes the money could come out of the change of government budget. He said they had budgeted $30,000 for the change of government but didn’t use nearly that much.

The council approved an agreement with Leadbelt Materials to repave several streets at a cost of about $100,000.

Alderman Ed Hottle said several residents asked him why Grove Street was not on this year’s list to be paved. The road has never been paved.

Barton explained a new subdivision is going in and he can’t see the city spending money to get it paved only to have the big trucks mess it up.

Barton said when the paving company had to do a test sample for Church Street, they chose Grove Street. However, the company only got a few hundred feet before the previous mayor stopped them, Barton said.

The council also approved a pay request from GWS  Contractors.

Alderwoman Cindy Driemeier asked Barton if the ammunition company was ever moving into the Industrial Park. Barton said the company is tied up in litigation and he is being assured the company is still coming.

She also asked about political signs on city property — between the city’s sidewalks and the streets. Sgt. Bill Stegall said he had spent most of the day having those signs removed.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.