RISON - The city's water and wastewater systems were the primary focus of the Rison City Council meeting Tuesday night as utilities director Joe Freyer gave an update on some ongoing improvement projects while the council approved an water rate ordinance that was needed for a new grant application.In addition, the city council also approved renewing the city's contract with Cleveland County Sheriff's Department to provide police protection for the city.Freyer gave the city council a slide presentation showing the renovations that have been completed to the so-called "tin man" water tank next to the courthouse as well as the excavation work that is currently underway at the city's wastewater treatment facility on Hwy. 79.Freyer said renovations to the tin man water tank have been completed, and he is awaiting the results of some water tests submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health before the tank can be brought back online. Once that approval is made, Freyer said he will switch the city's water service over to the tin man tank so renovations to the larger tank at Veterans Park can begin.USG Water Solutions based in Perry, Ga., recently sandblasted the outside and inside of the tin man water tank and repainted it to put it in compliance with state guidelines. Freyer said the contractor does not expect it to take as much time to refurbish the larger tank at Veterans Park because it is in better overall condition than the older tin man tank.Once completed, Freyer said he will be able to monitor water levels inside both tanks and also remotely operate the pumps going to both tanks through an app on a cell phone.In addition, Freyer said ground work is currently underway to begin a major overhaul of the city's wastewater treatment plant on Hwy. 79. He said the current excavation is for an area where the "bar screen" will go to filter the water for the treatment process. Freyer said the renovations to the treatment facility includes new technology to use ultra violet…