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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-27-2005 Mechanical CommitteeN MECHANICAL MEETING December 27, 2005 @ 6:30 p.m. Historic Depot 50 North 4t" Avenue, Canton, Il mittee chairman in attendance: Aldermen Eric Schenck, Jim Hartford, Rick Joe Berardi. r Aldermen in attendance: Les Carl, Kevin Meade. Absent: Aldermen Larry and Craig West. rs in attendance: Mayor Rodney W. Heinze, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City ney Jim Elson, Economic Development Director Mazk Rothert, Acting Police Chief Putman, Fire Chief John Stanko, Public Works Director Clif O'Brien, Wastewater ment Supt. Joe Carruthers, Joe Ginger's video service. Also news media from Ledger John Froehling, and Journal Star Brenda Bowen. Public Safety & Traffic Alderman Eric Schenck, Chairman Police Report. Acting Chief Dean Putman highlighted the report with the following - K-9 Officer Mike Eveland and Roko had to be re-certified and both passed the test. They have to take a test every six months. Sgt Rick Nichols has been selected to attend the Illinois Law Enforcement Executive Institute's course Police Executive Role in the 21S` Century. This course is funded by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and 5tandazds Boazd and will be held in Springfield. The training will be at no cost to the city. Fire Report. Fire Chief John Stanko highlighted his report with the following - On November 2°d ,the department was notified by Congressman Lane Evans' Office that the Canton Fire Department had been awazded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant. This grant is for the hiring of one (1) additional fire fighter who would be assigned to day shift and conduct code enforcement inspections. Only 68 fire departments in the country have been awazded a SAFER Grant for hiring additional fire fighters. John said he was very proud of being awarded this grant as over 3,000 applications were received. The Rescue engine was involved in a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Ash Street and Thompson Court. The driver of the pickup truck that struck the rescue engine was issued several citations. John said he is working to find a loaner or rental apparatus as we only have two engines in the department. John said he would keep the council informed on the efforts to obtain an engine during the repair period. A Centennial Celebration will be held on February 4 & 5`", 2006. Celebrating 100 years of a cazeer fire department in the City of Canton. An Open house will be held on both of those days at the department. Still working on finalizing the event. Alderman Berardi ask about the total funds of $600,000 that benefited the City; and how much of that Mechanical Committee 12-27-OS $600,000 had to be matched by the City? John answered some $300,000 was 100% no match. The other $300,000 required a match. A total of $200,000 was for a Fire Act Grant, and a SAFER Grant for $100,000. The Public Works, Water & Sewer committee adjourned at 6:37 p.m. Streets & Garbage Alderman Jim Hartford, Chairman There were no items on the agenda and none was discussed. The Streets & Garbage committee adjourned at 6:38 p.m. Lake, Buildings & Grounds Alderman Rick Reed, Chairman Forestry Mansement Letter. For discussion is a report from Barrie McVey, District Forester with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Based upon a cursory site visit to the City's property on the northwest end of Canton Lake, Ms. McVey recommended that the City focus on the former motorcycle club area immediately north of Sebree Road before pursuing action on other portions of the Canton Lake watershed. The area is smaller and will be the nest area to complete a Timber Stand Improvement practice. There is no funding in the Illinois Forestry Development Fund to cost share your project. The honeysuckle needs to be killed - it is spreading rapidly. Also, the sugar maple is rapidly taking over the woodland. Sugar maple has little wildlife value. Depending on the market, it can have some value as a timber species - if the quality is good. During the last timber harvest, she said she left a number of large oaks for seed trees. Honey locust is a problem through all of the woodland and should be removed. Background: In 1993 IDNR assisted the City in the development of a forestry plan for the Canton Lake watershed. The plan recommended implementing a timber stand improvement program to improve oak and walnut. It also recommended limited timber harvest. In 1994, the City subsequently sold 57,250 bf of timber from the "motorcycle" area and "Zink" property for $28,518.77. It is not known what, if any, of the recommended timber stand improvement practices were implemented. Current Status: The 10-year forestry plan developed by IDNR has expired. Bush honeysuckle, black locust and sugar maple trees have thrived during the past decade, significantly impacting natural reproduction and growth of more desirable tree species such as oak and walnut. The major thrust of Ms. McVey's recommendation is to remove these invasive species. 2 Mechanical Committee 12-27-OS Recommendations: 1. Request assistance from IDNR District Forester in conducting new forest inventory, developing forest plan, and specifying timber stand improvements for the 40 acre `motorcycle" tract. 2. Develop multipurpose forestry wildlife and recreational site plan an cost estimate for the 40-acre parcel. 3. Pursue grant and cost-share funding to implement multipurpose plan during 2006/2007. Alderman Reed suggested selling portions of the property. And keeping the integrity of some of the property. If council agrees to the selling of the property to have a developer review the property for cost effort. Would be a very nice area to build on for the Canton Lake area. Alderman Reed said the City bought the property to control erosion of Canton Lake. Motion and second by Aldermen Schenck/Hartford, to request assistance from the District Forester with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for an updated plan for that site. Discussion. Alderman Berardi suggested contacting the Park District as they might be interested in the property. Alderman Schenck said he wants to focus on the "motorcyle"area as recommended by the District Forester, and, to seek an updated plan for that site. The last plan was 10 years ago. The District Forestry can do it for us at no cost. Alderman Hartford said he was not in favor selling of the property due to keeping the erosion of the Canton Lake area. Alderman Reed said he is not in favor of the motion as the city would have to continue maintaining. Alderman Reed said he liked Alderman Berardi recommendation. Alderman Schenck said he believes that the area changes out of Canton Township, and the Park District has to be in Canton Township. Alderman Schenck wants to see future development of the area. And feels the area could be good investment for recreational and conservations reasoning and a financial investment for the city. The motion was by voice vote, and was unanimous. The Lake, Buildings & Grounds committee adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Public Works, Water & Sewer Alderman Joe Berardi, Chairman Cuba Water tine extension outside city limits. Alderman Berardi said a resolution now enforced says the request for the extension has to come before the City. Alderman Berardi said it should have been his committee. Alderman Berardi mentioned of not having any problem with Cuba wanting to extend their pipe line and feels should go to council for their acceptance. Motion and second by Aldermen Hartford/Reed, to refer the Cuba water line extension outside the city limits to the next council meeting. Mechanical Committee 12-27-OS Discussion. Alderman Reed wanted to know when Cuba wanted to do this? Alderman Berardi said they are ready to go. Alderman Carl ask what their plans are on developing their own water supply? Alderman Berardi said he talked with them. They are in between right now, and have no defmite answers yet. And they are checking on what they have to do in leaving the City of Canton's line. The motion was by voice vote, and was unanimous. Responsible Bidder. Alderman Berardi mentioned this is an ordinance that sets minimal requirements for all contractors and subcontractors bidding on publicly funded projects in the political jurisdiction covered by the ordinance. The requirements are then incorporated into all bid documents so that all potential bidders will know what is expected of them. The Ordinance simply asks that contractors who wish to benefit from public dollars play by the rules of fair and honest contracting. And this does not give advantage to union contractors; it gives an advantage to responsible contractors. Wants each aldermen to review the ordinance and will have on next committee agenda and will have representatives here. Alderman Berardi ask for Alderman Schenck to make a public comment. Alderman Schenck said he had an item not for the agenda. It is proposal by Wal Mart to request rezoning to build a super center in the north end of town. Ask about if any issues with water and sewer system would affect that particular development? The Transition Line the city will be doing has been pushed back to 2008 and 2009. Alderman Schenck thought of having a committee discuss Wal Mart in our downtown TIF area. Alderman Berardi stated right now makes no difference to me if Wal Mart comes to Canton or not as it will affect a lot of people in this town. We have to have answers of what we want to do with our town. City Attorney Jim Elson mentioned you are being a little bit premature on this. The Public Hearing on Wal Mart wanting to rezone and annex of this property has to go before Planning & Zoning Commission on January 9`h. These questions could be directed to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Then the matter will come with recommendations before the City Council. I'm not saying you should stifle the discussion. Alderman Meade said all questions are appropriate for Planning & Zoning. I think if we could bring Wal Mart to IH be great. But there is nothing the council can do. We have only 4 to 5 acres ready to build on. They need more than that. Alderman Reed said looking at Wal Mart in the IH TIF site, he would hate to see the sale to one corporation, as he wants to see diversity. The traffic flow could not be handled through our city streets downtown. Alderman Carl said he would like to see that problem. Alderman Schenck said we need to be more than actively involved. The Public Works, Water & Sewer committee adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Recording Secretary 4 Mechanical Committee 12-27-OS ~- `r v~ Nancy Whites, City Clerk