OWENSVILLE — Owensville’s new streetlights could be operational by October despite a minor setback involving the relocation of a natural gas line, City Administrator Randy Blaske said Friday.

“The light project is moving along,” Blaske said. “We have a slight setback. There is a natural gas line that needs to be moved, which is not going to add any expense.”

Crews have begun installing poles along First Street, including new poles visible on the south side of the roadway.

“We hope to be under new poles by, I’m going to say, October,” Blaske said. “This little setback is going to cost us a week or two, but I would say by October we should be completely done.”

The city is also continuing a long-term effort to reduce inflow and infiltration into its sanitary sewer system. Inflow and infiltration occur when stormwater or groundwater enters sewer lines through cracks, deteriorating pipes or improper connections, increasing the amount of water that must be handled by the wastewater system.

Blaske said Owensville was cited by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources following wastewater violations dating to approximately 2013 or 2014. The city was originally given 10 years to come into compliance, with that period expiring in 2024, but it has since received another 10-year compliance schedule.

The city placed a State Revolving Fund bond issue before voters, which they approved. Blaske said participation in the program gives the city access to low-interest borrowing if needed and makes it eligible to pursue certain state grants.

“Right out of the gate, we haven’t even borrowed any money yet and the stars couldn’t align better,” Blaske said.

The work was initially estimated to cost approximately $6.7 million. Blaske said the city has already completed close to $900,000 in improvements and previously directed approximately $750,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding toward the project.

The city has also secured a $1 million grant for the work.

“Right now, as we sit, I think we’re under $3 million and we have a million-dollar grant to go toward that already,” Blaske said. “We still haven’t borrowed any money.”

Engineering firm Archer-Elgin is developing the second phase of the project. Blaske said the city expects to complete the overall work in three phases and will seek bids after the scope of the next phase is finished.

“Everybody is up against the old clay pipe and things busting and collapsing,” Blaske said. “Your stormwater gets into your sewer and then it ends up in the lagoon, and thus the problem.”

Although Owensville has been given 10 years to finish the improvements, Blaske believes the work can be completed sooner.

“I think there’s no reason why we won’t complete it in five or less,” he said.

Insurance change saves city $60,000

Owensville also saved approximately $60,000 by returning to coverage through the Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association, commonly known as MIRMA.

Blaske said the city previously had coverage through Travelers and was facing a substantial premium increase. Owensville had participated in MIRMA in earlier years before returning to the association.

“It’s like a co-op of Missouri cities that participate under this insurance,” Blaske said. “They’re strict. There’s training, there’s rules you have to follow. They follow up with report cards and grades, but that helps us stay in our safety and our training.”

The city recently received its first full evaluation under the program and earned a score of 100 percent.

“It was a win-win,” Blaske said.

City targets dangerous properties

Approximately 12 Owensville homes have been identified by the city as potentially abandoned or dangerous, Blaske said.

The city now has a certified building inspector whose findings and credentials can support enforcement proceedings if a case reaches court.

“You’d like to hope that you can just reach out and get them cleaned up, but if it doesn’t happen and continues to drag out, then there are steps and processes that involve legal,” Blaske said.

The city is initially encouraging property owners to bring the properties into compliance voluntarily. Blaske said officials are monitoring possible grant opportunities, but the city has not identified or applied for a demolition grant at this time.

“We’re taking the steps and we’re serious and we want to get the housing cleaned up,” Blaske said. “It’s a process. It doesn’t happen overnight, but we’ve got a full-court press on that.”

Community service supplements city workforce

Owensville is also using community service workers assigned through the municipal court to assist with maintenance projects, including painting fire hydrants, spraying weeds and collecting trash.

Blaske said the city uses a hold-harmless agreement for community service workers and volunteers. City Clerk Peggy Farrell said MIRMA suggested using such agreements many years ago when residents were permitted to cut firewood.

Residents or organizations interested in volunteering may begin by contacting the city administrator’s office, Farrell said. City staff can then coordinate with the appropriate department supervisor.

Blaske also recognized civic organizations such as the Lions Club, Moose Lodge and Owensville Chamber of Commerce for contributing to the community.

“We welcome all the organizations,” he said.

Farrell said the city has changed some downtown zoning provisions to make it easier for businesses to occupy available buildings without obtaining additional-use permits in certain circumstances.

“We want the businesses,” Farrell said. “We want as many as we can get.”

She said businesses are beginning to fill previously vacant storefronts along Main Street, with property owners also painting and improving building exteriors.

Blaske credited city employees, department heads and outside partners for helping move Owensville’s projects forward. He specifically thanked Archer-Elgin Engineering owner Jeff Meadows and his team, City Engineer James Kolbe, Public Works Director Derek Gruenloh, EMA Director Jeff Arnold, Deputy City Clerk Kara Meyer and Farrell and all City Hall staff.

Blaske said Meyer works closely with the Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Meramec Regional Planning Commission. He also thanked MRPC representatives Bonnie Prigge and Kelly Sink for their assistance.

“We definitely want to thank the city staff here, Peggy and her team,” Blaske said.