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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-1996 Mechanical Mechanical Committee City Council Chambers March 26, 1996 Members Present: Joanne Shores, Jim Hartford, Chet Phillips, Jim May Others Present: Mayor Edwards, Kevin Meade, David Nidiffer, James Elson, Ray McKinney, Gary Orwig, Clif O'Brien, Chief Elam, Chief Jackson, Clark Wilson, George Spahn, Linda Caudle, Harlan Banister, Brad Choat, John Froehling, Howard Williams, Journal Star Public Safety & Traffic Committee Joanne Shores, Chairman Mayor Edwards announced an executive session negotiations meeting on the firemen's contract this Thursday at 6:30 in City Hall. Monday, April 1, 1996 there will be a Liquor Commission Meeting at 5:00 p.m. in the Mayor's Office. Chief Jackson informed the committee that a meeting was held last Monday with Kevin Meade, Jim Hartford, Robert Wheeler, Clark Wilson and himself to discuss the recycling business owned by Mr. Wheeler at 424 South 1st. At this meeting Mr. Wheeler was informed he will need to proceed with a written plan of action which includes a time table for completion. This must be presented at the next Council Meeting. The plan is to be approved by City Engineer, Bob Anderson. If the time table is not met action will be taken to temporarily close the facility. The limitations placed on the property at the last committee meeting remain in effect. Mr. Wheeler was present and stated he intends to continue his recycling business and will begin repairs on the roof of. Mr. Wheeler is having an engineeer prepare a written plan which will be presented at the next council meeting. The police report was next. Chief Elam informed the committee that Merle Pettit donated money for the police department's 50~ share of a new TV and VCR for the training room and expressed his appreciation. Chief Jackson's report is self explanatory. He also informed the committee that the department's 1976 engine needs refurbishing. He would like some direction to bring someone in to further evaluate the truck to get a realistic estimate for cost of refurbishing. Harlan Banister stated that he will be discussing this with Chief Jackson during his budget review. No action was taken by the committee. On the subject of the fire department, Mayor Edwards suggested the committee consider having Fire House 2 appraised. If this building is sold the monies could be used for repairs in the fire department. No action is needed at this time. Howard Williams gave a brief report on ESMA and introduced the new directors as follows: Ed Reed, Deputy Coordinator; Randy Jump, Director of Operations; Gene Phillips, Director of Emergency Response; Jack Tomlianovich, Director of Communication; Linda Evans, Deputy Director of Communication; Carl Burnham, Director of Training; and Don Taylor, Director of HAZMAT. Mr. Williams thanked Aldermen Shores and May for attending ESMA Meetings. Mayor Edwards told the new directors that the council appreciates and supports their efforts. Mayor Edwards next discussed concerns about safety in the downtown area. He has met several times with merchants and the police department to discuss this situation. He feels the City needs to re-enforce its position in the downtown area and assist the police department with this problem and to investigate possible solutions. No action is needed at this time, and the Public Safety and Traffic Committee adjourned. Streets & Garbage Committee Chet Phillips, Chairman Clif O'Brien addressed the committee on this year's MFT Program. He has looked at all streets and has sent suggestions to City Engineer, Bob Anderson. Mr. Anderson should have some figures together by next week to bring before the Finance Committee Meeting. Clif also suggested that the committee scale down the 50/50 residential sidewalk program. Last year $10,000 was allocated and only $750 was used. This money could be used for road maintenance if it is not set aside for the sidewalk program. A decision will need to be made on the amount of funds to allocate for the residential sidewalk program. As an informational item, the Public Safety Building parking lot will be resurfaced April 22nd with some preparation done in house. Clif reported on the leak detection survey from Pitometer Associates. A copy for viewing is available in the Mayor's office and Linda Caudle's office. During the next couple of weeks work will begin on repairs to the leaks that were detected. The report also shows there are 21 fire hydrants leaking. No further business was discussed and the Streets & Garbage Committee adjourned. Lake, Buildings & Grounds Committee Jim Hartford, Chairman The first item was city owned property on East Ash Street next to the Public Safety Building. Chief Elam said he would have a report on this at the next committee meeting. Ray McKinney presented recommendations to the committee on increases in Camping Fees and admission to the beach. He would like to change the camping fees to $5.00 daily, $5.50 with electricity, $6.50 with air and $7.00 with individual plug and water, illiminate the 1 free day for campers staying 1 week and maintain the 7 free days for campers staying a month. Change beach admission fee to $1.50 per day. During discussion Jim Hartford suggested dropping the free week for month long campers next year. Mayor Edwards stated he doesn't feel that we should give away a free week. Jim May also felt a week should not be given free. Harlan Banister will do an economic anlaysis of the fees. Jim Hartford recommended the fees be taken to council for action. Motion by Joanne Shores, seconded by Chet Phillips to refer fees to council. Voice vote, motion carried. No further business was discussed and the Lake, Buildings and Grounds Committee adjourned. Public Works, Water & Sewer Committee Jim May, Chairman Gary Orwig distributed a memo to the committee regarding the compliance problems with ammonia at the waste water plant. Also included in the memo were minutes from a pre-enforcement conference meeting at the IEPA office in Springfield March 21, 1996. Lyle Ray, field representative for the EPA addressed the committee stating that he does not hold the operational staff accountable for the ammonia compliance problem at the plant and praised the city and the operational staff for the improvements made to the facility and in the performance of the plant over the past several years. Mr. Ray feels that something new within the last 6 months is being added into the city~s system and the problem is in the waste water source, not in the plant operation. He stated he will do all he can to assist the city in getting back into compliance. Mayor Edwards stated that a letter is going out tomorrow to Mr. Roger Calloway of the IEPA regarding the pre-enforcement meeting. The letter is a confirmation of the City~s compliance committment to come into compliance in 6 months. Lyle Ray also added that Senate Bill 1390 deals with how the agencies are to handle compliance problems. This bill, if passed, will offer more flexibility to municipalities and urged the city~s support of this Senate Bill. No action by the committee was necessary at this time. Motion by Chet Phillips, seconded by Joanne Shores to convene into executive session for the purpose of discussing lake personnel. Roll call: Shores - Aye, Phillips - Aye, Hartford - Aye, May - Aye. Motion carried. Minutes of the executive session are on file. No further business was discussed and the Public Works, Water and Sewer Committee was adjourned. Linda Caudle, Recording Secretary.