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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-26-06 Mechanical Committee Meeting Minutes MECHANICAL COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 26, 2006 – 6:30 p.m. Those in attendance: Aldermen Eric Schenck, Rick Reed, Joe Berardi, Jim Hartford, Craig West, Larry Sarff, Kevin Meade, Les Carl. (Those underlined are the Committee members.) Others in attendance: Mayor Rod Heinz, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City TreasurerKathy Luker, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, Police Chief Jeff Fritz, Fire Chief John Stanko, Public Works Director Clif O’Brien, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supt. Joe Carruthers, Water Treatment Plant Supt. Greg Pollitt, Zoning Officer Clark Wilson, System Maintenance Supt. Bill Terry, Joe Ginger Video Services. In the audience was Bob Evans, Carol Kohler, newspaper Daily Ledger - John Froehling, newspaper Democrat - Bill Mitchell. Public Safety & Traffic Alderman Eric Schenck, Chairman Police Report. Police Chief Jeff Fritz remarked that on his monthly report he added a new section of a three-year comparison of enforcement activity for traffic violations. Another new section is a three-year comparison of traffic accidents. Alderman Carl ask Jeff to report on his research of the position of animal control officer. Jeff remarked that his philosophy is, is it working or not? He looked into changing it, but wants to shy away and let the animal control officer handle the position. He said he does not feel we need to take away the position of enforcement officer. Alderman Carl ask, will the police officers response to the animal calls when the animal control officer is off duty? Police Chief Jeff Fritz said they would answer the calls. Alderman Berardi asked if there was a meeting scheduled with the Liquor Commissioners and the bar owners? Police Chief Jeff Fritz said he will invite the bar owners to a meeting and get it scheduled soon. We will sit down with them and let them ask any questions they might have. Alderman Schenck mentioned that a draft of changes has been done. th Fire Report. Fire Chief John Stanko remarked that on August 4, the annual pump tests were conducted by ACME Performance Services. All pumps successfully passed the testing. No significant problems were found, and all pumps are performing to their rated capacity and within specifications. The Annual pump testing fulfills requirements set forth by the Illinois Department of Labor and NFPA standards. th On August 15, attended a Pandemic Flu table-top exercise in Galesburg, which was held by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Representatives from the Fulton County Health Department, Graham Hospital and Fulton County EMA attended. The Fulton County Health Department has developed a preparedness plan for a pandemic flu outbreak in Fulton County. The all-day exercise was extremely informative and will assist us as we develop our own internal plan to handle a pandemic flu situation. The Fulton County plan will be incorporated into our Emergency Operations Plan. th On August 29, we were informed that MABAS Division 53 (Fulton County) would be receiving an Incident Management Kit and trailer. There are being provided through a grant from the Illinois Terrorism Task Force. The kit contains all necessary supplies to set up a working command post during a major incident. Cost of the Incident Command Kit and trailer is over $5,000. This demonstrates another value of being a part of MABAS. The Public Safety & Traffic Committee adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Streets & Garbage Alderman Rick Reed, Chairman Nothing listed on the agenda and discussion was not held. The Street & Garbage Committee adjourned at 6:41 p.m. Lake, Buildings & Grounds Alderman Joe Berardi, Chairman Rules and Regulations of Touring the Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants. Alderman Berardi wants this issue to go to council for approval. Motion and second by Aldermen Hartford/Reed, to refer the Rules and Regulations for Touring of the Water Plant/Wastewater Treatment Plant to council for their consideration. Discussion. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson mentioned that she had not incorporated in the Wastewater Treatment Plant into the document, and she asked Joe if he wanted that in the rules and regulations? Alderman Berardi said he does want to have the wastewater plant included also. Voice vote motion carried unanimously. Alderman Berardi said I had calls and I know some of you Aldermen have had calls about cancelling the broadcasting of the Committee meetings. I think people should know what we are talking about. I am under the impression the mayor does not have the power alone to make this decision as it comes from the council, I believe! Alderman Berardi said he would like to hear some comments about this from the Aldermen, as I know you have been contacted. None of the Aldermen made any comments. Alderman Berardi then commented, “that’s what I figured!” The Lake Buildings & Grounds Committee adjourned at 6:42 p.m. Public Works, Water & Sewer Alderman Jim Hartford, Chairman Spoon River Drive requesting the use of Jones Park for 2007. Alderman Hartford said he had a request from the Canton representative for the Spoon River Drive wanting to hold off any decision at this time. Alderman Hartford asked for Carol Kohler the custodian of Jones Park to comment on what is the reason for holding over the decision? Carol Kohler commented that she wanted to pay attention to the effect it has on the park. I felt like we have made some new and good beginnings. And have received a lot of nice comments on the improvements we have made. The parking on the grass of 40 tents for 10 days is detrimental to the efforts we’ve been making this year. Like to see what kind of damage results to both the flowers and the grass. And when you put tents up for 10 days straight it kills the grass and your efforts to improve the turf is set back again. Alderman Schenck remarked that he had talked with Bill Swango from the Spoon River Drive and he has concerns about the future of the drive. Every year while there may be growing number of vendors for the Spoon River Drive, few of them are official Spoon River Drive people participating vendors that pay the fee. The Spoon River Drive relies on those fees to pay for the advertising and the porta potty. Alderman Schenck made the following suggestions – we want Canton to be the main attractive spot for Spoon River Drive. Think about what, where and types of things we want to offer them. And Jones Park does look sharp. We want to have some things in the downtown area, but need to look at appropriate and right spots that cause the damage. We have other spots in our community we could use effectively, the corner of Locust and Main, and our parking lot across from the Depot. We need to try to do something unique by maybe one weekend bring in vintage tractors. The second recommendation by Alderman Schenck is we may want to think about having the Director of SRPED represent our community during the drive. This would speak well of that partnership and being proactively of about how SRPED will operate in Canton, as well as doing a little bit more to help out this association to keep this as a viable annual event in the Fulton County area. Alderman Hartford mentioned that the city has put in electrical outlets around the Depot, and also at Big Creek Park. These two areas can be used and should be considered. Alderman Reed said he has thought about this some and Jones Park is coming along nicely. Maybe have Spoon River Drive associates meet with the school district on the land used by the Friendship Festival and meet with school officials and the festival board as there are water rights and electricity, this could be a Farmington East. Alderman Hartford said this would then be held over until after the Spoon River Drive for 2006. The Public Works, Water & Sewer Committee adjourned at 6:54 p.m. Recording Secretary, Nancy Whites, City Clerk