HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-22-2005 Mechanical CommitteeMECHANICAL COMMITTEE
November 22, 2005 @ 6:30 p.m.
Historic Depot 50 North 4t6 Avenue
Mayor Heinze called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and introduced the committee
Aldermen.
Those in attendance: Aldermen Joe Berazdi, Jim Hartford, Rick Reed, Eric Schenck.
Other Aldermen in attendance: Aldermen Les Cazl, Kevin Meade, Craig West.
Absent: Alderman Sazff.
Others in attendance: Mayor Rodney W. Heinze, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City
Treasurer Kathy Luker, City Attorney Jim Elson, Economic Development Director Mazk
Rothert, Public Works Director Clif O'Brien, Police Chief Donald Edwazds, Fire Chief
John Stanko, Street Supt. George Spahn, Zoning Official Clark Wilson, Video Service
Joe Ginger. In the audience was News Media of Daily Ledger John Froehling, and
Sylvia Heinze, Cazol Kohler.
Public Safety & Traffic Committee
Alderman Eric Schenck, Chairman
Police Report. Police Chief Donald Edwards mentioned that the report shows the
number of calls about this same period of last year and they aze down. The number of
serious crimes have declined also.
Alderman Berardi ask Zoning Officer Clark Wilson about a bus that is pazked on the city
streets. Clazk reported that the bus was currently licensed, so it is legal. The bus is the
same size as a recreational vehicle. Alderman Berardi then ask Clark what is inside of
the bus? Clazk said he did not no as he only looks at what kind of vehicle according to
what is mandatory in a court case. Alderman Berazdi said the bus was being used as a
storage shed. Alderman Berazdi then stated all the time we defend what has been done
and what has been said. We want an answer in our neighborhood.
City Attorney Jim Elson said in order to look inside the bus would require a search
warrant. Jim said he has been asking for assistance from the Illinois Municipal League
on administrative seazch wazrants.
Alderman Berazdi mentioned that 55 credit cards are out in this community from the City
of Canton.
Fire Report. Four members of the department attended a Confined Space Operations
class in Galesburg October 10th - 14`h. The $725 per person cost was paid for with grant
funds through the Illinois Terrorism Task Force.
On October 20th the department held a night drill at the Canton Water Treatment Plant.
The simulated hazardous materials leak provided us with an opportunity to practice
responding to a hazardous materials incident using the trailer and equipment received
through a grant last year. John said he appreciated the cooperation of Water Supt. Greg
Pollitt and his staff for allowing us to use their facility for the drill.
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Update on Firefighter Tony Fahrenbruch who was injured at work. Fire Chief John
Stanko reported that Tony is at home progressing in getting well.
The Public Safety & Traffic Committee adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
Streets & Garbage Committee
Alderman Jim Hartford, Chairman
Nothing listed on the agenda and there was no information to report.
The Streets & Garbage Committee adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Lake, Buildings & Grounds Committee
Alderman Rick Reed, Chairman
Request for funding of Jones Park beautification. Sylvia Heinze mentioned they have
made some progress, and now that winter is here, this is the time for plantings. Before
some will make donations, they want the city to make a good effort in donating.
Alderman Meade ask about the amount and thought some $5,000 would be needed to
start some of the projects.
Alderman Reed thought that Jones Pazk is not looking very nice as the grass is gone, have
dirt showing in some areas. And feel the park does need some attention. Alderman
Reed said he would also like to use some funds from the TIF District.
Alderman Carl said since the eazlier presentation he has changed his opinion on wanting
to use Hotel/Motel Tax. Alderman Carl ask the city attorney to give a report on the
usage of the Motel/Hotel Tax. City Attorney Jim Elson mentioned that the HoteUMotel
funds are to be used for overnight stay. Jim said that we need to look at this Hotel/Motel
fund.
Alderman Cazl said there is no TIF funds available as Jones Pazk is in the IH TIF azea.
Alderman Schenck mentioned that we will have to be creative in how this might be able
to work in using MoteUHotel funds.
Alderman Berazdi ask why the Chamber of Commerce is not coordinating this, and the
Economic Development Director? Alderman Reed answered that the Chamber of
Commerce is looking at the entrances into the City. Economic Development Director
Mazk Rothert said the volunteer committee has worked with the Chamber of Commerce
to create continuity. Alderman Cazl asked if TIF funds could be used for this project?
City Attorney Jim Elson said he would look into that feasibility. Tabled until report from
City Attorney Jim Elson is completed.
"Big Toot" Fund. Alderman Reed announced donations to be sent to City Hall.
Alderman Reed was very happy to heaz that CAT donated $1,000. Alderman Cazl ask
about getting the whistle in operation. Public Works Director Clif O'Brien reported that
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Mechnical Committee 11-22-OS
2 different people aze working on this. We're looking at May of 2006 before the whistle
would be ready. Mark Rothert sent in a grant for some funding. Clif said we aze
working to determine the amount of air that is needed to blow the whistle.
The Lake, Buildings & Grounds Committee adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Public Works, Water & Sewer Committee
Alderman Joe Berardi, Chairman
Pumping wells ser charge. Alderman Berazdi reported citizens aze asking about the ser
chazge that the city charges to the customers to run those 2 pumps. And they are asking
about the interest on the City's CD's and how the city use those funds?
Kathy Luker City Treasurer mentioned that the vaziable for turning on those pump is $.40
cents per 100 cubic feet of water. The city passed that utility fee on to the customer of
their usage. Based on examples that was given, the billing cycle which is every 2 months
would be an average of $2.60 to $6.24 additional charge on their water bill. Based on
those numbers the city does charge to the customers and based on their usage is the pay
back of this fee. Kathy said she did know when they turned on the pumps as the city
utility bill went from hundreds of dollazs to thousands of dollars.
Other issue is the CD interest. Kathy reported that interest will be paid on the bonds is
4.8118%. Right now the interest the city receive is based on the market at 3.7% to 3.8%.
So we're earning money on those CD's, but unfortunately we will be paying out more of
those earnings. All the money we eazn will be paid towards the principle and interest on
those bonds.
Alderman Meade stated, am I correct in saying, we aze limited by law, and also we can
not earn any more interest on that money than what we're paying on that money? Kathy
Luker answered, we can eazn more, but if we do, we pay it all back to the Internal
Revenue Service.
Alderman Cazl said he talked with Water Supt. Greg Pollitt and Alderman Cazl decided it
was not a good idea to wave the ser chazge. The pumps were turned on October 16, we
did not start chazging until November 1 ~`. The average cost to the citizen is $2.00 per
month. The cost to the City is $10,000 per month to run the pumps. The last time we
ran those pumps it was for 6 months. It will not be a short time running the pumps this
time. The effect of the city is $10,000. And the effect of the citizens is $4.00 every 2
months. The surplus money that we have and aze talking about, best be saved with
some other work we're doing. We could down the line not increasing the water bill the
3`~ and 4`h year.
Alderman Meade said we're being cautionary as we understood the bonding company,
and the City has to be sure we have enough money to pay it back. When we aze into this
for a yeaz then we can see what kind of money we're getting. Then I think it is
appropriate to revisit the rate schedule to eliminate future rate increases.
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City water, taste & smell. Public Works Director Clif O'Brien said the air-raders
have been installed. The lake level below the dam is 70 inches
W. Maple Subdivision Development. Economic Development Director Mark Rothert
mentioned about attorney Mike Evans had presented an outline of West Maple
Subdivision proposal of a preliminary concept. This concept is a residential area on
West Maple. They want a residential TIF for the area. The next step is to council, what
kind of steps are needed? Community & Industrial Committee will have 2 attorneys
come to their next meeting and talk about what they can do in recreational. Alderman
Schenck ask about water capability? Public Works Director Clif O'Brien said there is an
8 inch water line and they will have to go to Hickory Street for both water and sewer.
Alderman Carl ask if the city has done anything on annexing the property into the city?
No one knew anything about it.
The Public Works, Water & Sewer committee adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Recording Secretary,
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Nancy Whites, City Clerk
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