Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-09 Mechanical Committee meeting minutesThe Canton City Council Mechanical Committee was held on February 24, 2009 in Council Chambers, at the Historic Depot, 50 North Avenue, Canton, Illinois. Mayor Kevin R. Meade called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Roll call of Aldermen -Eric Schenck, Joe Berardi, Larry Sarff, Jerry Ellis, Pamela Ihnes, Jason Strandberg. Absent -Craig West ,Sonya Lewis. Also in attendance Mayor Kevin R. Meade, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City Treasurer Aaron Anderson, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, Police Chief W. Dan Taylor, Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer, Public Works Director Cliff O'Brien, Maurer Stutz Inc. Keith Plavec and Zoning Officer, Wastewater Treatment Supt Joe Carrutthers, Water Treatment Supt. Greg Pollitt, System Maintenance Supt. Bill Terry, Joe Ginger Video Services. In the audience was News Media Daily Ledger -John Froehling, WBYS Radio - Mark Bixler, Wendy Martin from The Democrat, City Budget Director John Favorita, Lee Puelo arrived at 7:07 p.m. (had just finished with G.R.E.A.T. Merchandise/Incentives Order.) and there were three unidentified people. PUBLIC SAFETY & TRAFFIC ALDERMAN JOE BERARDI, CHAIRMAN POLICE REPORT. Police Chief W. Dan Taylor highlighted his report by saying they received the Animal Control Enforcement Truck. We're now getting the lights for the top put on and also the topper. Police Academy met here last Thursday with 14 attending, which was a good cross section of the city from the age of 15 to senior citizen. Changing the K9 Insurance Carrier. Talked with Bill Bequieth of Town & Country Insurance and will now have classic K9 Insurance. Insurance we had was more for a family pet. This new insurance will be $150.00 cheaper. With this new insurance if the dog gets hurt they reimburse us. And, if the dog dies we get a new dog. Special Operations have been busy with 11 arrest made. 1 Alderman Berardi said will send onto council for consideration. FIRE REPORT. Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer gave a highlight of her report. During the month of January, fire personnel responded to four structure fires and one vehicle fire. The first structure fire, located at 341 West Pine Street, was a garage on fire with smoke showing upon arrival. Fire personnel responded to Marlee Drive on a report of structure fire. The vehicle fire located at 252 Howard Place was contained to the chimney. Was caused by soot build up. Fire personnel also responded to a mutual aid request at the Canton Ready Mix plant south of town. Fire alarms increased by 22.6 % while EMS alarms decreased by 6.7% compared to our responses in January 2008. There were 18 simultaneous alarms during the month of January. Fire Chief attended a Public Safety Advisory Committee chili luncheon organized by State Representative Michael Smith. It was held at Pekin Fire Station on January 29, 2009. Representative Smith was reaching out to the community to hear thoughts and concerns about community safety. Attended the bi-monthly meeting of the Central Illinois Fire Chiefs, was held in Decatur. Firefighter Lance Lush and I attended a class at Havana City Fire Department. The three and one-half hour class was "Ethanol 101, For First Responders" and it covered transportation and safety issues of a growing industry. The exhaust fan for the engine bay diesel exhaust was taken down and transported to Armature Motor and Pump Company for repair. The bearing on the motor needed to be replaced. The department responded to a carbon monoxide complaint at 82 % North Main. A heater running in the building was the source of the problem. A carbon monoxide reading of 10 ppm was found throughout the building. z Fire Report was sent on to council for their consideration. ANNUAL FIRE REPORT. Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer gave a highlight from her report -The fire department responded to a total of 1811 calls for the calendar year of 2008. During 2008, there was a drastic change in the amount of fire loss. Our fire loss of $319,250 is more in line with previous years. A fatal fire at 565 E. Locust claimed the life of a 61 year-old female. This event reinforces the need for home fire drills and for everyone to "get out and stay out". There is nothing material wise, in a home worth losing your life over. The number of responses in 2008 was up by fifty-four calls from 2007. Fire incidents were up by thirteen calls and medical calls was up by forty-one calls. The number of incidents we respond to continues to climb. Sunday was our busiest day of the week with 289 alarms, accounting for 16.16% of all alarms. Friday was the second busiest day of the week with 289 alarms, accounting for 15.94% of all alarms. Alderman Berardi told Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer he did not want the Fire Department going to nursing homes and assisting whom ever, for whatever reason. And why do you send three firemen for this? Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer mentioned this is part of the St. Francis package. Alderman said he wants a copy of that St. Francis package. Alderman Schenck said it is part of the issue of calling 911. Goes to dispatcher with the information and then someone is sent out by that information given. The City cannot hardly not response to a 911 call. Alderman Berardi if this is charged to our Budget ,these calls should be charged for? "NO PARKING" SIGN IN THE 200 BLOCK WEST PINE STREET ON THE SOUTH SIDE. Police Chief W. Dan Taylor request that Council consider placing a "No Parking" sign in the 200 block of West Pine Street not allowing parking on the south side of 3 the street for 75 feet east of the intersection of Avenue C. I have been advised that when the school bus turns eastbound from Avenue C onto Pine Street there is often a vehicle parked on the South side of the street making it very difficult for the bus to turn the corner. It is a pickup and drop off point. Alderman Berardi said to send on to council for consideration. (No quorum.) G.R.E.A.T MERCHANDISE/INCENTIVES ORDER AND PURCHASE SUPPLIES 3660.75. Police Chief W. Dan Taylor said the Canton Police Department in October 2008, received notice of acceptance that we had a grant in the amount of $9,827.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice Gang Resistance Education and Training Program. The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a school-based law enforcement officer- instructed, classroom curriculum. The Program's primary objective is prevention and is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang memberships. Lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid engaging in delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems. DARE Officer Don Taylor has been teaching the G.R.E.A.T. program for the past two years. Alderman Berardi said send on to council for their consideration. (No quorum present. ) POLICE BUDGET. Alderman Berardi mentioned that John Favorita, Police Chief W. Dan Taylor and others gave guide lines, and the budget shows what kind of work can be done to save the city some money. This is really an outstanding effort. *Police Chief W. Dan Taylor said he wants the department to be a community orientated and problem solving. *Want to be proactive police department. *Want to be more efficient in use of personnel. *Doing different things to the three shifts and putting more officers on the street. *Will continue with the G.R.E.A.T. Program, and the DARE Program. *With receiving of this grant there will be no tax dollars used. *Will continue with the narcotic enforcement. 4 The area I want to continue with is street convictions, and getting officers more training. *It's critical to your Fire and Police Department to have training. *Want to add a second canine officer. This will be at no cost to tax payers. *Fleet plan -vehicle transferred to police division and will go to K9 officer. *Project of Safe Neighborhood and drug forfeiture will continue. *Other goals are in training constantly obtain training for judgment and moral obligation to this department & I want to hire 7t" dispatcher. One used to be funded by 911. When the funded was ended that dispatcher position was dropped. We need to pick this position up again. The dispatcher we have now are on duty 78% of the time. This will cut down single coverage to 42%. This will not cut the overtime. *Another goal is for a Deputy Chief for the coming year. Not in the budget, plan to present later. Then the chief went through the Budget synopsis. Alderman Berardi suggested that the chief be given more than a 4% raise and wants to increase it by $2,000.00 or more. Alderman Schenck said if we don't level for depreciation fund we won't have any money. Alderman Berardi remarked the depreciation fund is a slush fund and he has never seen one act like this. John Favoita stated the city had extra funds to put in the depreciation fund. Mayor Meade remarked this idea was for a capitol fund, and former City Treasurer Kathy Luker was very good at expenses for surplus funds. The Capitol Budget would have savings accounted for by large ticket item. This is how it was created. Budget Director John Favorita said this is more standard accounting way municipality have. Alderman Berardi said he wanted to have Lee Puelo speak about his building at 82 North Main Street. 5 Lee Puelo said the building was formerly "Jesus Outreach" and they had the necessary permits to have housing on the second floor of the building back in 1984 and 1985. I'm willing to go to court and I will win the case. Alderman Sarff said everyone involved needs to sit down and come up with some agreement. I only remember what was brought to our meetings. The city engineer's comments were very good. There has been some confusing misunderstandings. The bottom line is public safety. Do we need afull-time person, yes! Make sure we are fair and consistent, obey the law, and for public safety. Have the group sit down and hammer this out. If can't, they have judge decide in court. My suggestion is to have city staff work with Lee Puelo on the issues that are open. Alderman Berardi stated that the fire chief had said - he is going to do something. She had no right to say this. Want to see the same information for all owners around the square. Lee had been oked by these entities. Where are the violations? You don't have any! There are all kinds of violations that are up and around the Main Street. Mayor Meade said he would set up the meeting with City staff and Lee Puelo. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson mentioned to Lee Puelo that the last time we spoke about fire violations, and I can understand your frustration going to the zoning board. The use of the buildings has changed in the use. Mayor Meade commented the Special Use Permits goes with the owner. It's a protection. The Public Safety & Traffic Committee adjourned at 8:00 p.m. STREETS & GARBAGE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST, CHAIRMAN There was no items listed on the agenda and discussion was not held. The Streets & Garbage Committee adjourned at 8:01 p.m. 6 LAKE, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS ALDERMAN SONYA LEWIS, CHAIRMAN ORDINANCE -AMENDING CAMPING FEES LAKE CANTON. Alderman Schenck mentioned we should recommend what came out from the discussions held earlier of charging $15.00 for tents with electricity, $17.00 for campers, $20.00 for RV's for those out of town. Residents living in town would have no increase. Mayor Meade wanted to know if the area could also be leveled as recommended by Mel Harris. Water Treatment Supt. Greg Pollitt said it would not be too much work to level those pads. Alderman Berardi wants Keith Plavec to look at the rightway to go about the leveling of the pads. Alderman Sarff said, if we do it right, there is resources there. Have staff come back making suggestion and using Rachel Rose Plan. Mayor Meade said we can make this part of the budget. Will have Alderman Lewis bring forth the plan that was suggested by Rachel Rose for the agenda. The Lake, Buildings & Grounds committee adjourned at 8:17 p.m. PUBLIC WORKS, WATER & SEWER ALDERMAN ERIC SCHENCK, CHAIRMAN WATER BILL OF PASTOR VICKY RILEA FROM HER CHURCH. Mayor Meade said the church is outside the city and is a shelter and mission. The address is West Locust Street. The church is anon-profit status. Alderman Sarff suggested they come into the city so they won't have to pay the double rates. This would solve the problem. Mayor Meade said he would bring this back with an opinion. 24" RAW WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN APPLICATION PAYMENT NO. 8, FROM REYNOLDS, INC IN THE AMOUT OF $553,981.38. Recommend to council of Payment No. 8 from Reynolds, Inc. for the amount of $553,981.38 ,and to reduce the retainage on this contract from 10% to 5%. Keith Plavec stated that the completion date is June 5, 2009. And to be paid from the Bonding account. (No quorum.) BRADLEY CORNER SEWAGE PUMPING STATION IMPROVEMENTS APPLICATION FOR PAYMENT NO.4 & FINAL FROM LEANDER CONSTRUCTION FOR $10,201.69. Recommend to council of Payment No. 4 from Leander Construction for the amount of $10,201.69 for final payment, and to be paid from the Bonding account. (No quorum.) RADIAL COLLECTOR WELL APPLICATION FOR PAYMENT NO. 3, FROM REYNOLDS, INC. FOR $3,150.00. Recommend to council of Payment No. 3 from Reynolds, Inc. for the amount of $3,150.00, and to be paid from the Bonding account. Keith Plavec mentioned the completion date is November 19, 2009. (No quorum.) IRON HUSTLER EXCAVATING INC. INVOICE 5564 FOR $80,177.45. Recommend to council of Payment Invoice 5564 from Iron Hustler Excavating, Inc. for the amount of $80,177.45. Keith Plavec mentioned this invoice is for removing concrete between the proposed 3rd Avenue right-of-way from Elm Street to Maple Street and for a portion of the east side of the site. The amount for the concrete removal for this area is $70,039.85. The invoice is also for crushing approximately 1,843 tons of concrete to make CA-6 material at a cost of $5.50 per ton for a total cost of $10,137.60. The city will have paid $126,996.49 for concrete removal and $19,564.60 (3,557 tons) for crushing concrete, for a total of $146,561.09. The contractor has crushed approximately 5,500 tons of concrete to date. Remaining concrete removal includes work east of 3rd Avenue from Pine Street to Maple Street. (No quorum.) FEASTER'S LOT STATUS UPDATE. Alderman Schenck wants a status report on that unsightly area as my patience's are running out. He would like to see the area become public parking, which could levate the parking issues. s City Attorney Chrissie Peterson mentioned the Attorney Ron Weber is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. The update is there is still a disagreement of that wall with Mr. Herbst, and the Odd Fellows, and the City has been very patience. WATER & SEWER FUND BUDGET. Alderman Schenck said we are about % way through and wondering if could lower the last rate increase on residents water bill. And we need to budget for the necessary repairs. Mayor Meade stated we are looking at a stimulus package and exploring both options. We're pursuing an angle to lower the water rates. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF PEKIN TO ASSIST WITH BUILDING INSPECTION. Keith Plavec mentioned that Alderman Ellis, Cliff O'Brien and myself visited with the City of Pekin to see if they are willing to enter into such an agreement. They are also willing to work with us and the county to train someone. The question is, what do you want to inspect? What triggers it? Why? And when? Peking will charge the City of Canton when they get to Canton and when they get back. City will be charge 25% more than Pekin pays. Mayor Meade asked, how extensive are we going to do this? A state certified inspector could me mandated. The Public Works, Water & Sewer Committee adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Mayor Meade mentioned that will have a five minute recess before the executive session and all will need is the Fire Negotiations, and Pending Litigation. EXECUTIVE SESSION - TO DISCUSS -PERSONNEL; PENDING LITIGATION; AND, FIRE NEGOTIATIONS. A motion could be made to go into executive session as a quorum was not available. The Mechanical Committee meeting reconvened in open session at 9:30 p.m. ADJOURN No further business to conduct the Mechanical Committee adjourned at 9:30 p.m. 9 Recording Secretary, Nancy Whites, City Clerk Zo