By Allison Peck
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OGALLALA — Ongoing wastewater treatment concerns, street improvements, YMCA operations and City Manager Kevin Wilkins’ planned retirement highlighted discussion at Tuesday night’s Ogallala City Council meeting.
One of the biggest topics was continued work to identify contaminants affecting the city’s wastewater treatment plant after what Wilkins described as a major “plant kill” devastated the system’s essential microbials.
“Something got into the system somewhere, and it caused a major devastation of the live microbials in the plant,” Wilkins said.
While the city has introduced new microbials into the system, the problem has not been fully resolved.
“We’re still getting some chemistry going into the plant that is causing damage,” Wilkins said, noting manhole testing is helping isolate the source. “We are getting closer to identifying where the chemistry is coming from that is causing the damage.”
Wilkins also reminded residents to be mindful of what enters the wastewater system, adding, “Be careful, folks, what you put down your toilet.”
Council also heard updates from PeopleService on routine hydrant flushing and testing currently underway throughout the city.
The YMCA gave its regular report, including preparations for the outdoor pool season and continued growth in membership. Wilkins said the city is preparing to renew its contract with the YMCA as the current two-year agreement nears its end.
“Things are working out with the Y, and it’s great to have them here,” Wilkins said. “They really are an asset to the City of Ogallala. We knew they were going to be, but they’re even more than what we thought they were going to be.”
The city is also looking into possible repairs to underground pool piping after water losses were detected when the circulation system is running.
In a major personnel development, Wilkins formally submitted his resignation, setting Dec. 31 as his retirement date and allowing the city to begin its search for a new city manager.
“It’s not fair to the citizens, it’s not fair to the staff to leave an interim in a position that long,” Wilkins said, referencing the lengthy hiring process the city has experienced in the past.
Wilkins said he intends to remain available through a transition period as needed.
Council also approved plans and bid dates for an asphalt overlay project on 8th Street to West A and West C from 5th to 10th streets. Wilkins said the work will help preserve a heavily traveled roadway without requiring full reconstruction.
The Tree Board’s quarterly report included updates on a grant-funded nuisance tree removal program, with 12 properties currently under review.
“These are nuisance trees,” Wilkins said. “They are dead or dying trees, and or a tree that is subject to damaging life or limb.”
Wilkins noted grant restrictions limit removals to under $3,000 and only apply to owner-occupied properties in a designated census tract.
During his city manager report, Wilkins also updated council on airport projects involving Runway 8/26, saying bids came in below estimates and could allow for additional improvements.
“We’re in a good position,” he said. “We’re pretty pleased about that.”
He also addressed the city’s nuisance abatement efforts on Ogallala’s east side, encouraging residents who have received notices to address issues promptly.
“It’s really important that people take advantage to look at those letters,” Wilkins said. “It’s really important that they work with West Central in trying to remedy those.”
He noted the city can ultimately complete cleanup itself and assess those costs back to property owners if violations are not corrected.
Council members also recognized the success of the city’s recent spring cleanup event in partnership with Western Resources Group, which collected approximately 11 tons of waste, along with metal and electronics recycling.
“The City of Ogallala is trying to do our part in investing in and maintaining community standards that benefit everybody,” Wilkins said.
Looking ahead, Wilkins also highlighted this weekend’s Soap Box Derby, calling it “one of those unique Americana attributes of Ogallala that make us stand out.”