Vactor truck will help clean Airway Heights sewers

Airway Heights will be able to maintain and repair the city’s sewer and stormwater systems on its own following a fairly quick Tuesday, Feb. 19 City Council meeting.

The City Council approved the purchase of a 1996 International Vactor truck for $38,000 plus sales tax.

“We will be able to break out and clean throughout the city on an annual basis,” public works director Kelly Williquette said.

The truck cleans the sewer and stormwater pipes running throughout the city. Previously Airway Heights needed to contract the work out to an area company, and could only do so every few years. With the purchase, that operation can be done in-house by public works workers.

“This thing will pay for itself in about three or four years,” Williquette said.

Mayor Patrick Rushing and City Manager Albert Tripp were in Washington, D.C. to meet with Air Force officials and other members of Congress.

Also at the meeting, the City Council approved a settlement agreement and release with IMCO General Construction and the city. The $400,000 settlement related to construction on the wastewater reclamation facility. While the mutual release separates any further involvement between them, city attorney Stanley Schwartz said the city can still bring forward claims regarding warranty and other elements of the facility.

The first reading of an ordinance serving as a bargaining unit settlement with Local 270-A, representing city employees, went through. The settlement related to wages and benefits for those workers.

The second reading of an ordinance establishing the Development Services Director position and its salary range was unanimously tabled by the City Council. Councilman Doyle Inman said he had been waiting to discuss the ordinance with Tripp regarding a disparity between department head salaries.

The discussion took place at the City Council study session a week later.

James Eik can be reached at james@cheneyfreepress.com.