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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-22-1994 Mechanical Mechanical Committee City Council Chambers November 22, 1994 6:30 P.M. Members Present: Chuck Chapman, Dick Coay, Chet Phillips, Jim May, Others Present: Don Edwards, Jim Elson, Ray McKinney, George Spahn, Kayma Duncan, Don F. Edwards, Bob DeRenzy, John Froehling, Howard Williams, Clif O'Brien, Gary Orwig, Harlan Banister, Linda Woods, Don Hopper Public Safety & Traffic Committee Chuck Chapman, Chairman The first item on the agenda was the fire report. He stated the report was self-explanatory and no action was taken by the Committee. Bob DeRenzy stated that the Canton firefighters/EMTs fall under the Peoria District and there seems to be some problems. Jim Elson stated that the Department of Public Health has policies concerning the duties of EMTs. Jim recommended he be allowed to issue a memo explaining the levels of authority for the EMTs. A motion was made by Chet Phillips and seconded by Jim May to allow Jim Elson to issue the memo. Voice vote. Motion carried. The police report was next. The report was self explanatory. No action was necessary by the Committee. The ESMA report was next. Howard Williams stated he has not met with the Department Heads yet to review the ESMA plan. He has been in contact and working with organizations for emergency service. No action was necessary by the Committee. The traffic study at 15th Avenue and Myrtle Street was next. It was noted that the homeowners in the area feel there is a need for a four way stop but the school does not. The department's recommendation was to have a temporary four way stop placed at 15th and Myrtle and a "no left turn" at 15th and Ash. They feel that this may move traffic better to eliminate some of the problems. Discussion. A motion was made by Chuck Chapman and seconded by Chet Phillips recommending a 30 day trial period for the suggested signs and to monitor the situation during that time. Uoice vote. Motion carried. The 2% foreign fire tax money was discussed next. It was noted at an earlier meeting that the firefighters want to use this money for the purchase of dress uniforms for the firefighters. Jim Elson stated 1 '\r~- ~` that the state statutes states that the money can be used for the maintenance, use and benefit of the department. There is no case law on the matter to review. Mayor Edwards stated that the city provides the firefighters with a yearly clothing allowance of $400.00. This is a negotiated item. He stated he feels the firemen are double dipping. The cost of the dress uniforms are $300 each for a total of $4,800 for all the firefighters. Bob DeRenzy stated that this year the amount of the foreign fire tax funds received was approximately $4,700. Mayor Edwards stated that the decision to spend this tax money is being determined by a group of hired people, not elected officials. No further discussion was held by the Committee. A letter of complaint from the ambulance service concerning the parking on West Walnut Street was discussed next. The letter is asking for removal of some of the parking on the north side of Walnut in the area of the ambulance. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Chet Phillips and seconded by Chuck Chapman to refer the matter to the police department for review and recommendations. Voice vote. Motion carried. The burning barrel being used by the picketers on Elm Street was discussed. Mayor EDwards stated that the fire is being rekindled by kids after the picketers leave. Bob DeRenzy stated that the city can not deny the picketers the burning barrel for heating purposes but can force them to put it out daily to prevent kids from rekindling the fire. The Committee agreed to let Bob DeRenzy handle the matter. No further action was taken by the Committee and the Public Safety and Traffic Committee was adjourned. Streets and Garbage Committee Richard Coay, Chairman The first item on the agenda concerned the selling of furniture. Mayor Edwards stated that a truck was selling furniture in a lot at the corner of Main and Locust Streets. This person had a permit with the Mayor's signature on the permit. The Mayor was informed of this activity, which he was surprised to find his original signature on the permit, and sent an officer to the area to revoke the license. Mayor Edwards stated that the city clerk keeps some pre-signed licenses on hand for issuance. Bud Nelson of Melgreen's furniture, addressed the Committee on behalf of Wright's and Helig-Meyer as well, stated that they have over 30 full time employees, the stores are paying sales and real estate taxes and use local banks. The individual selling the furniture was not paying the city any taxes, therefore no money was coming back to the city. Mr. Nelson suggested that the ordinance be changed. Mr. Nelson also stated that his opinion of the sale of the Jack and Bill's lot for $1.00 and waiving the fees will not only help the developer but help the other merchants as well in having more traffic uptown. Dennis Crawford of Crawford's stated that having 2 people sell on the streets puts a dent in other businesses. Jim Elson stated that the Council may want to review the ordinance in that there are some sales operations that have to pay a $1.00 per day, such as in this case, and some who have to pay $10.00. He stated they may want to consider equality. Jim stated that this case is a clear cut violation of the zoning ordinance. It is an open air business which requires a special use permit. This requires an appearance before the Planning and Zoning Commission to review. Mayor Edwards stated that guidelines need to be set down for the City Clerk to follow so that certain permits can be issued on the spot and/or referred to Planning and Zoning for review, if necessary. This may want to be referred to the Legal and Ordinance Committee to review for equality. A motion was made by Chet Phillips and seconded by Jim May to refer the matter to the Legal and Ordinance for review and to have the city attorney provide guidelines for the City Clerk to follow concerning which permits are issued on the spot and which permits are to be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to issuance. Voice vote. Motion carried. Dick Coay stated he had received a letter from St. Mary's Church concerning the garbage pickup. They are not using the service and haven't since 1989. They were requesting a rebate. He stated he also had a letter from Ray McKinney concerning the matter. He stated they have since notified the water department they do not want the service. It was noted that a rebate on the service charge has not been done in the past. No formal action was taken by the Committee at this time. No further business was discussed and the Streets and Garbage Committee was adjourned. Lake, Buildings & Grounds Committee Chet Phillips, Chairman The first item was a plat from Greenwood Cemetery. It was stated that they are relocating the road which runs parallel to the residences on South Main Street. The city owns this property but need to formally approve the proposed plat. A motion was made by Chet Phillips and seconded by Chuck Chapman recommending approval of the plat. Voice vote. Motion carried. A problem with the zoning in Village Square was next. Mayor Edwards stated that the city passed in 1976 and zoning ordinance and map. The zoning configurations for Uillage Square which were passed by the ordinance accepting the area are not the same as the zoning uses now. Mayor Edwards stated that Tracie Skaggs, the city's zoning officer, has suggested some changing in the zoning in Village Square to meet the uses of the property. This would change some areas and eliminate the business zoning in Village Square, but would only allow the property's present use to comply with the proper zoning. Discussion. 3 A motion was made by Dick Coay and seconded proposed changes to the Planning and consideration. Voice vote. Motion carried. by Jim May to send the Zoning Committee for Chuck Chapman stated that the car lot on 5th Avenue, which is zoned B-2 is using the lot at an I-1 zoning. He stated he was not sure the sign which was erected is in conformity with the ordinance. The matter will be checked for compliance. Mayor Edwards stated that the the study and preliminary plans for the proposed sewer on Avenue I between Locust and Walnut Streets will run approximately $1500. Mayor Edwards stated that this amount is over and above the normal amount paid to Bob Anderson. It was noted that Kevin Meade had asked for the cost. The matter was referred to the City Council for consideration. The comfort station roof was discussed next. The estimated costs for the roof, received from Bob Anderson, are: 10 year - $43,000; and 20 year - $46,000. Discussion followed on the estimates, the value of the building, and possible alternatives to repair the roof. A motion was made by Chet Phillips and seconded by Chuck Chapman to refer the roof back to the staff for review. Voice vote. Motion carried. No further business was discussed and the Lake, Buildings and Grounds Committee was adjourned. Public Works - Water and Sewer Committee Jim May, Chairman The first item was a request from Gary Orwig. He stated that a seal in the digester pump had to be replaced. The cost was $1,118.50 from Danville Industries. A motion was made by Chet Phillips and seconded by Chuck Chapman to recommend approval of the expenditure. Voice vote. Motion carried. The next item was an update on the Lillie sewer easement. Jim Elson stated that a letter and an agreement had been sent to Mr. Lillie, but no response had been received. He stated there are two choices: 1. He believes the city has the authority to shut off service to the residence; or, 2. file an action on the matter. Discussion followed. The Committee instructed Jim to proceed with the matter using his discretion and keeping the Committee informed. Gary Orwig addressed the Committee concerning a repair to the boiler in the digester. He stated that it is in poor running condition and the repairs will cost $2,880.00 by Illinois Mechanical Services. They have indicated that this amount could be saved in four to six months since the boiler will be running more efficiently. A motion was made by Chuck Chapman and seconded by Jim May recommending approval of the repairs. Voice vote. Motion carried. 4 The request from Bryant to hook onto city water was next. Ray McKinney stated that he is favor of selling water to other communities to keep Canton's rates down. The income from other communities help pay the bills of the plant. The total consumption of all the outside communities is less than the amount used when IH was in full production. The anticipated income from Bryant is $12,000 per year. He stated that he is able to pump in 10-15 minutes the total volume anticipated for their daily usage. Ray stated that ten years ago, the city was pumping approximately 1.9 million gallons, while the average at this time is 1.7 million gallons. He stated there is a lot of water in Fulton County but a lot of it is mineralized. Ray stated that he would like to see the additional income set aside to run a line to Banner to the river. He stated it may be ten years from now but it may be possible to have "rainy wells" similar to Galesburg. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Chet Phillips and seconded by Dick Coay recommending approval of selling water to Bryant. Voice vote. Motion carried. Melissa Robinson addressed the Committee with a request to run a water line to three house on West Maple. She stated there is a potential for ten house to hook up and they are willing to pay the installation cost. A motion was made by Chuck Chapman and seconded by Dick Coay recommending the approval of the concept. Discussion. The Committee discussed the possibility of having the city participate in the difference between a 2" line and a 4" line. Ray McKinney suggested additional tap fees for the city to recoup their costs. It was discussed that an EPA permit would be necessary. The motion was amended to include the city applying for the EPA permit and to recommend the city pay the difference between the 2" and a 4" line. Voice vote. Motion carried. No further business was discussed and the Public Works - Water and Sewer Committee was adjourned. Kayma Duncan - Committee Secretary 5