(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council last week approved more than $100-thousand in expenses for the Utility Department.

Utility Superintendent Ray Luhring explained to the Council the advantage of having power plant operators receive further training and the purchase of equipment for the 9-megawatt, $11-million Wartsilla generator put into service in 2018. 

The City cannot currently perform diagnostic testing and download the latest software programs.

The $21,511cost would cover the purchase of a laptop computer and two days of training from a Wartsilla senior engineer for all of the operators.  

Luhring said the purchase of the laptop and log-in program would likely pay for itself, noting that each time a Wartsilla technician has to travel to Falls City, it costs the city $10-thousand.

The Council unanimously approved the equipment and training.

Luhring also discussed the need for the purchase of new influent pumps and motors at the Waste Water Treatment Plant at a cost of $86,281.  

The pumps are original from when the plant was re-built nearly 16-years ago.  The pumps and motors have had problems nearly since the beginning.  The City has to have one, and sometimes two pumps running to maintain a permit to operate the plant. 

The last time one of the pumps needed repairs the City was told that due to the age of the pump it was very difficult if not impossible to find parts.

Luhring said the situation has reached the critical stage. The pumps are scheduled to be rebuilt about every 10-thousand hours.  Due to the problems with the pumps and motors,  one pump has nearly 24-thousand hours on it. 

Two bids for the pumps were submitted.  The recommendation from the Utility Board was to make the purchase from Allied Systems in Omaha at a cost of $83,781,  plus an additional $2,500 for a five-year, 100 percent replacement warranty

The Council approved 8-0.