City Wastewater Plant Easily Passes Inspection

By MARK EVANS

STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD

Bloomsdale’s wastewater treatment plant received a glowing report when a Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) inspector checked the plant out on July 26.

It is in full compliance, according to the DNR.

“It went really well,” city clerk Lynnette Randoll reported at the August 11 Board of Aldermen meeting. “We got a finding of ‘compliant,’ and he took some pictures. The man was very happy.”

Randoll said that wastewater superintendent Ron Berkbuegler had said everything was “running smoothly” at the plant. The oil had just been changed on the new rotor. Some power-washing and painting at the plant will also be done later this month.

DEIMUND’S EXTRA WORK DRAWS DISCUSSION

During the review of expenditures to be paid, some questions arose over money being paid to city employee Jim Deimund for  contract work in addition to his regular duties. These included helping install the new Rotor No. 2, clearing brush, mowing, and other odd jobs.

The question was brought up of whether the board should be consulted before Mayor Paul Monia agrees to pay for contract work. Technically, anything above $5,000 has to be put out for bid. Monia said he typically takes care of anything less than that without bothering the aldermen.

“If I run into something that needs fixing immediately, and I can do it for less than five grand, I’m going to be all over it,” Monia said.

If something needs to be done that would be above $5,000, Monia said a special meeting would need to be called.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Monica Rozier said she had gone back and added things up and that Deimund had been paid nearly $20,000 in addition to his regular salary so far in 2020.

“That’s a pretty good pay chunk for him,” she said, and hoped the jobs were all done “to everybody’s satisfaction.”

“I know everything I’ve ever had him do, he’s gone beyond,” Monia said.

The mayor said he was willing to give the aldermen more insight into what was going on with such odd jobs – or to just skip some of the work.

“I get it,” he said. “I get it. There’s no reason we can’t pull back the reins and say … a  lot of this in the park, just let it go. If it’s in your way to mow, don’t mow quite as much. There’s quite a few things you can do different.”

Ward 2 Alderman Brandon Shortt said that “One of the main concerns is what it looks like.”

“I’m sure he does fine work,” fellow Ward 2 Alderman Chris “Sappy” Basler said.

Others agreed they had no issues with Deimund’s work or with him personally.

The idea of just making Deimund a full-time employee was floated, along with just tackling fewer special projects.

Monia still feels having Deimund on hand to take on any needed tasks in addition to his regular duties, is a plus for the city.

“To me, it’s a win-win,” he said. “But if you guys don’t like it, I’m fine with it.”