SHEPHERD — The Shepherd Board of Aldermen approved seeking bids for improvements to its water system.
City Secretary Debra Hagler said that at the May 11 meeting, the council approved seeking bids for the construction of a new ground storage tank, to be paid for by grant funds.
Additionally, the city is seeking bids to drill a fourth well for the city. That water will be treated and pumped into the city water system, but not stored on site.
In other grant-related business, the city is applying for a $5 million grant, which comes with a 5 percent match, to be used to expand the city sewer plant to almost double the capacity.
Hagler said the city stands a good chance to receiving the grant, as it passed the first hurdles, and will now submit the application. She said the city is preparing for growth.
In a separate matter, the council amended the manufactured home ordinance.
Hagler said the intention behind the ordinance as it was passed originally was to prohibit placing homes within city to not lower property values for people in the area; at the time this was passed, there were very many run-down units.
The new rules state that placing any home manufactured more than 5 years ago requires a variance. Additionally, the old ordinance stipulated that if a lot size was 2 acres of land or more, a variance was not required; the council approved the removal of the lot size exception.
The city also approved a requirement for permits for new construction or certain kinds of renovations must be displayed prominently.
