June 1, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
During the regular meeting of the Elk City Commission Monday night, citizen and local businessman L.C. Price addressed the commission regarding his concern of a 12” sewer line break located near 20th street and Pioneer.
Price voiced his concern of sewage possibly leaking into a nearby creek that runs through family land, that ultimately feeds Lake Elk City. Price says the break in the sewer line was first discovered five years ago, and was rediscovered one year ago.
Price told the commission that he would later contact the Department of Environmental Quality and local legislative leaders regarding the matter.
Mayor Nick Archer says the city was notified of the new leak on April 13 by Mr. Price, and contacted DEQ on the same day. He said DEQ visited the site on April 15 and gave the city a “plan of action” and made follow up visits three more times to monitor the city’s progress of cleaning up the location. Archer says the city has conducted water quality tests throughout the process.
Later in the meeting the commission did approve a payment to Myers Engineering in the amount of $11,269.50 for a full repair of the broken line.
After a lengthy public comment portion of the meeting, Ward 1 Commissioner Cory Speiker made a shocking motion to the commission.
The approved emergency meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m, Thursday. Due to the large crowd during Monday’s meeting, the proceedings were relocated to the Elk City Civic Center. Thursday’s meeting could be moved as well.
