Plus, Mayor Murray Bruer and Public Works Director Gilbert Nordwald are even happier since the project came in far below the budgeted cost. The city will be paying $58,563.65 for the project to New Melle-based Concrete Paving, LLC, but aldermen decided at last Wednesday's meeting to withhold 10 percent of the payment until granting final approval. Nordwald said minor details need to be fixed, such as raising valve covers that are hidden underneath some newly placed sod. Aldermen are expected to approve full payment at their next meeting. When aldermen first looked into upgrading South Depot Street, the costs for asphalt and concrete were nearly the same. Bruer said it was a no-brainer to go with concrete, which is expected to have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. "This is the first street that has been a complete city project," Nordwald said. The city budgeted nearly $72,000 for the project. "There was no doubt in my mind we were going to go concrete," Bruer said. "It was a project that had to be done. I think it turned out fantastic. The project came to fruition and they did a real good job." Aldermen also had a discussion last week on who is responsible for repair and replacement of water meters and accessories that are damaged by a property owner. The city emphasized property owners will incur costs if the damage is believed intentional. Nordwald said property owners will have 30 days to make repairs on their own. Once the deadline has passed, the city will make the repairs and bill the property owner for parts and labor. "It's standard procedure," Nordwald noted. Also at last week's meeting, Nordwald reported all water samples have passed since the city began chlorinating the water after tests failed in July and September. The city was required by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to start chlorinating the water for a minimum of three months. It is believed the samples failed due to not enough turnover of water in the city's water tower.