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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-00 MechanicalMechanical Committee City Council Chambers January 25, 2000 - 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Jo Anne Shores, Jim Hartford, Jim May, Chet Phillips. Others Present: Mayor Donald E. Edwards, Bob Molleck, Larry Sarff, Kevin Meade, Jim Elson, Greg Pollitt, Chief Elam, Chief Stanko, Gary Orwig, Clif O'Brien, Linda Caudle, Jim Snider, Clark Wilson, Patricia Wright, John Froehling, Matthew Leaf. Public Safety & Traffic Committee Jo Anne Shores, Chairman Mutual Medical Insurance Representative, Ron Jones, was invited by Pat Wright to explain the Maxi Plan approved at the last council meeting. He also discussed making other plans available on a voluntary basis to employees. This could result in a potential savings to the city. There is a need to educate the employees on these plans. Motion was made by Alderman Hartford, seconded by Alderman Sarff to refer these optional plans to the Insurance Committee for a recommendation to Council. Voice vote, motion carried. Chief Stanko provided a written monthly fire department report for December 1999 and also provided an annual report. The annual report provides information on the re- organization that has taken place in the department. Chief Stanko informed the committee that ESDA is interested in organizing a committee of the community to plan a fund raising event to purchase new equipment. Chief Stanko will request a list of items to be purchased and will report back to the committee. No action was taken at this time. Chief Elam provided a monthly police report. Jim Snider reported the City received a copy of an application for tax exemption submitted to the State on the exemption of the Coleman Clinic, owned by Graham Hospital Association. Attorney Jim Elson will review this application. Mayor Edwards said he received a written report from Mauer -Stutz, Inc. regarding the Capital Theater Building and said it is in agreement with the inspection report done by Phillips and Associates. The City is waiting for written reports on two other buildings that have been inspected. Attorney Jim Elson added that he should receive information from Attorney Ron Weber, representing the building's owners, at the end of this week on a plan for the building. Elson added that the City's concern is for safety! Mayor Edwards informed the committee and media that the City sent a letter last week to Mark Johann, President of Norwest Bank, offering to purchase the bank for city use at a price of $675,000. This offer has been accepted. The City will pay for the purchase over three years at 4.95% interest. Jeff Strode, representative from Norwest Bank was present to answer questions. Mayor Edwards also stated that a plan will be developed by the Council for the use of the bank, the depot, comfort station and present City Hall. ~~+' He also commented on a meeting last week in Chicago with the EPA and Navistar concerning the I.H. site. Attorney Elson asked the committee if it was their desire to keep the "Paid On Call" (volunteer) firefighters in the ordinance regarding the fire department. The committee felt there should be a provision for volunteer firefighters but also felt Chief Stanko should decide on a number of "not more than" and advise the attorney so he can continue to draft the new ordinance. No other business was discussed. The Public Safety and Traffic Committee adjourned. Streets & Garbage Committee Chet Phillips, Chairman There was no business discussed under Streets and Garbage, and the committee adjourned. Lake, Buildings & Grounds Committee Jim Hartford, Chairman Rhonda Ferree, who works for the University of Illinois Extension through the Lewistown Office, told the committee she has two groups interested in designing landscaping for Jones Park and around the Clock. The groups are the Master Gardeners and the Spoon River Garden Club. All work would be volunteer. They would design the plan, provide and plant perennials and long lasting ground cover. She asked that the city maintain the plantings. She also stated that a Master Gardener has 60 hours of time he would like to donate to a plan for the depot. Mayor Edwards suggested he contact the Green Thumb group at Walmart who will be developing Gorhman's Park at the Depot. The committee welcomed the assistance of these two groups and asked that Rhonda be on contact with Clif O'Brien once they have a plan in place. Motion was made by Alderman Hartford, seconded by Alderman Shores to refer the Final Pay Request for the Depot to the next Finance Committee Meeting. Voice vote, motion carried. There was no other business discussed and the committee adjourned. Public Works, Water & Sewer Committee Jim May, Chairman Gary Orwig provided a memo regarding a worn out drive unit in the secondary clarifier at the wastewater plant. He has budgeted $25,000 under Capitol Expense for this repair. He would like permission to hire a crane for $600 to pull the tank and take it to Aurora to be checked as well as permission to go out for bids for a new drive unit. Motion was made by Alderman Hartford, seconded by Alderman Shores to approve both requests. Voice vote, motion carried. No other business was discussed and the committee adjourned. Recorded by Linda Caudle 2