The Meridian City Council on Tuesday voted to hire Carollo Engineers of Dallas to investigate the waste water collection system’s infiltration and inflow issues.

Monty Jackson, director of public works, told the council that storm water is seeping into the city’s sewer system, which flows to the treatment facility. He said leaks could overload the system with storm water.

“Carollo Engineers will tell us where most of the leaks are occurring,” Jackson said. “They will not investigate the entire city right now, but they will develop a plan to look at the entire city.”

Correcting the problem is expected to cost about $850,000. Jackson said some of the money will come from the Environmental Protection Agency, and the city will have to match some of those funds.

Jackson said the city’s sewer system is old and holes in the lines allow water from creeks and streams to seep in.

He said representatives from Carollo were in Meridian on Tuesday to begin investigations.

Ward 5 Councilman John Harris said he was impressed with the city’s choice to hire the engineering firm. He said many cities are facing the same storm water and waste water issues, and it is important for Meridian to maintain its infrastructure.

The council also voted to hire the Seaside Institute of Seaside, Fla., to create a focused implementation program for downtown revitalization. The institute, which serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas on the design and redesign of communities around the world, will create a plan on how the city should move forward.

Connie Royal, Meridian cultural affairs coordinator, told council members the plan will help city officials decide how to use the area between the MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts and the Threefoot Building, and other proposed downtown projects like the Institute of Southern Jewish Life in the old Kress Building, Freedom Park on Fifth Street and a science and discovery museum for children.

Costs associated with hiring the Seaside Institute will be $48,959, plus up to $16,041 in expenses. Royal said the cost of the project is not to exceed $65,000. The money will come from the city budget.

Also, in his report, Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith read council members a copy of a letter he mailed on Monday to the Mississippi Home Corp.

The letter said that while the city of Meridian supports the development of affordable housing in Meridian, “we strongly support this development within Qualified Census Tracts where it is needed.”

Smith’s letter comes in response to the Mississippi Home Corp.’s desire to locate low-income housing in the north part of town.

MEETING WATCH

Starting March 21, the Meridian City Council’s second meeting of each month will begin at 5 p.m. instead of 5:30 p.m. The city council on Tuesday passed a resolution to change the city’s ordinance concerning meeting times. The city council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Meridian Police Department. For more information, call (601) 485-1959.