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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-24-2001 Mechanical Mechanical Committee Minutes City Council Chambers @ Historic Depot July 24, 2001 - 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Jo Anne Shores, David Nidiffer, Robert Molleck Others Present: Mayor Jerry M. Bohler, Attorney Ron Weber, Treasurer Patti Franzoni, Craig West, Larry Sarff, Mary Fillingham, Jim Hartford, Steve White, Gary Orwig, Clif O'Brien, Chief Elam, Chief Stanko, Dave White, Clark Wilson, Linda Caudle, John Froehling, Tony Lee Public Safety & Traffic Committee David Nidiffer, Chairman Chief Elam distributed the monthly police report. He announced that yesterday the department received notice that they were awarded $23,475 from the federal pass through grant for reimbursement of the salary for the narcotics officer. The Chief analyzed traffic on the alley between 1~` and Main off Maple by request of the committee. Twenty-three vehicles traveled the alley in a 24-hour period. No speeding occurred. The Chief gave no recommendations. Mayor Bohler asked Clif to keep the alley well maintained due to the extra traffic load. Chief Stanko discussed the written monthly fire department and ESDA reports, adding that June was the busiest month in the history of the department. Mayor Bohler discussed his desire to develop a good working relationship between the Canton ESDA and the Fulton County ESDA. He asked Alderman Molleck to meet with the Fulton County Safety Chairman to see what means could be developed to unite the two agencies as a team, perhaps with a joint location in the David W. O'Brien Public Safety Building. No other business was discussed. The Public Safety and Traffic Committee adjourned. Streets & Garbage Committee Jo Anne Shores, Chairman Alderman Nidiffer inquired on the status of the abandoned property at the N.W. corner of 3`d and Linn Street. Residents at the town meeting brought this area to the forefront. Attorney Webber reported that the City has researched the property. The owners are deceased. Taxes have been sold for the past 3 years. Attorney Weber will investigate further and contact the family of the owners of the property. Mayor Bohler asked Chief Elam to comment on the surveys that were completed on Avenue D. This too was a concern at the town meeting. One resident asked that a stop sign be placed on Avenue D to slow traffic. Chief Elam's studies done in 1999 and in 2000 both reveal that allvehicles traveled Avenue D below the poked speed limit. There is a considerable amount of traffic. Chief Elam does not recommend a stop sign because the desire is to keep traffic moving. The other drawback is the placement of a stop sign on a hill. At this time, Chief Elam does not have a recommendation for this area. He added that in the future he would like to meet with an engineer to review traffic on all major streets in the community. Mayor Bohler asked Chief Elam to continue to run radar in this area. Lake, Buildings & Grounds Committee David Nidiffer, Chairman Mayor Bohler asked Steve White to investigate new restroom facilities for the campground. He added that we could get ideas from the new restrooms at Youth Acres. Steve reported that he has received a check from the insurance company. No other business was discussed and the committee adjourned. Public Works, Water & Sewer Committee Kevin Meade, Chairman In the absence of Chairman Meade, Alderman Nidiffer presided. The committee discussed at length the responsibility of payment of water bills, landlord versus tenant. Steve White presented letters mailed to owners and renters. Steve discussed problems of collecting water bills from renters, especially those who move out and leave a bill behind. Currently, as directed by ordinance, if a bill is not paid by the 18~' of the month by the renter, a past due notice is sent to the renter and to the landlord. If a renter wants to make payments on a bill, the landlord first needs to give the water department permission to accept payments. Final responsibility of payment lies with the landlord. The Water Department is doing everything they can to inform the landlords as to the status of the water bills. This is the only method the City has to keep a handle on the situation. According to Alderman Sarff, "tax payers should not have to pay for water bills left by renters. The owners of the property should be responsible since they are the ones profiting from the rental property." Alderman Molleck said he feels this method has fewer problems than the old way of collecting the bills. Steve asked if a renter moves out leaving a bill and another renter moves in, should he shut off the water for non-payment? He also asked if the renter leaves behind a bill and then buys a house, can the water bill be transferred to their house water bill? Attorney Weber said "No, not without notice or an agreement. The City does not have legal authority in place to do this. The ordinance would have to be revised to do this". Alderman Nidiffer asked Ron Weber to look into changing the ordinance regarding the latter. A Motion was made by Alderman Molleck, seconded by Alderman Shores to direct Steve White to follow the ordinance as written and turn off the water due to non payment on a rental property even if the rental property houses new renters. Voice vote, motion carried. For informational purposes, Chief Elam informed the committee that the Attorney General's Office will be in Canton in August to conduct a seminar for landlords. The date and time will be announced in the media. 2 Colin Edwards of Maurer Stutz, Inc. informed the committee that two bids were received on the sludge removal project at the water plant. Colin recommends rejecting both bids. One bid is in violation of the bidding process and the other bid is so high it is out of order. Out of nine interested bidders, only two bids were returned due to the time line restraints in the specifications. Colin further recommends that the City re-advertise and allow extra time frame for the project. A Motion was made by Alderman Molleck, seconded by Alderman Shores to reject the two bids on the water treatment plant sludge removal project, re-bid the project and extend the time constraints in the specifications. Under discussion, Colin requested permission to re-bid immediately due to the time factor. Roll call vote. Ayes: Aldermen Molleck, Shores, Nidiffer, Hartford, Sarff, West and Fillingham. Nays: none. Absent: Alderman Meade. Motion unanimous. A Motion was made by Alderman Molleck, seconded by Alderman Fillingham to enter into executive session for the purpose of negotiations with the Public Works Union. Roll call vote. Ayes: Aldermen Molleck, Shores, Nidiffer, Hartford, Sarff, West and Fillingham. Nays: none. Absent: Alderman Meade. Motion unanimous. After the executive session, the committee reconvened for the purpose of adjournment. Having no further business to discuss the committee adjourned. Recorded by Linda Caudle 3