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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-1992 Mechanical Mechanical Committee City Council Chambers September 22, 1992 6:30 P.M. Members Present: Harry Steck, Dick Coay, Chuck Chapman Others Present: Don Edwards, Jim Elson, Clif O'Brien, Steve White, Gary Orwig, George Spahn, Bob DeRenzy, Mike Elam, Howard Williams, Will Taggart, Ross Gardiner, Don Hopper, Bob Molleck, Public Safety & Traffic Committee Chuck Chapman, Chairman The first item on the agenda was the fire report. Bob DeRenzy stated he did not have a report for this month at this time. The police report was next. Mike Elam stated that the monthly report was self-explanatory. No action was necessary at this time on the report by the Committee. The ESMA report was next. Howard Williams stated that the report was self-explanatory. He stated that in October, the siren testing will be on an individual basis to make sure they are all properly working. No action was necessary by the Committee at this time. Mayor Edwards informed Howard that the new agenda for Country Companies Insurance Co., who is a former ESM4 director in Gillespie, is interested in volunteering his services to the agency. He stated he will be contacting Howard concerning this. At this time Marty Brown provided the Committee with an update on the 911 system. He stated that the consultant is working on addressing the area using census and tax record data. There will be mass mailings on three different occasions to notify persons of their addresses for the system. He stated there are a few address mistakes in the city and has talked with Tracie concerning the problems. Marty stated that the 911 board has been looking at the equipment which will be needed and are requesting proposals from several companies. He stated that the city will have a problem with space and some remodeling will be needed to accommodate the equipment. He stated that 911 will fund the expense of the remodeling to meet the federal guidelines for the program. Marty stated that the phone system presently in use at the police department is almost maxed out. He stated that this could be an opportune time to look at a new system to hook into the 911 system which will be installed. Marty stated that the system now is analog and the newer systems are digital. Mayor 1 Edwards asked if there is a central number for people to call concerning the system. Marty stated that they can call the courthouse and ask for Mr. Danner or Mr. Clark or they can call him at the police department. Mike Elam stated that he has been to Morton to look at their system and the phone lines are hooked into the 911 console. He invited any alderman interested to contact him to look at the Morton setup. Marty stated that the 911 board meets on the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m, at the courthouse, second floor courtroom. He stated that the meetings are open to the public and invited anyone interested to attend. The next item was an update from PJlike Elam on the condemnation properties. Mike provided the update on the last properties and provided a list of additional properties he would like to see further action taken on. He requested the Committee to give the city attorney permission to continue proceedings for demolition. Mike stated that he would have an updated owner's list for the next City Council meeting. A motion was made by Chuck Chapman and seconded by Dick Coay to refer the request to the City Council for consideration to continue with condemnation. Voice vote. Motion carried. Mayor Edwards addressed the Committee concerning the railroad crossing at South Avenue A. He stated that kids are digging up the ties and some of them are rotted. He stated that the police department is watching the area due to the fact that the kids are taking the spikes out of the ties and a possible derailment could occur. He stated he will be contacting the railroad again concerning some repairs to the crossing. Mayor Edwards stated that he had received a letter from the city ernployees thanking the city for allo~Ning them to borrow $550 for the city gym. He stated that the loan had been paid back six months ahead of schedule. Mayor Edwards stated that he had received a complaint from a local businessman that he was required to provide a $50.00 deposit on a house he is purchasing contract for deed. Mayor Edwards stated that a contract for deed purchaser is handled the same as a renter due to the fact that the buyer can leave the house and the owner would be responsible for payment of the bill the same as if a renter left an unpaid bill. Mayor Edwards stated he did not know if the Committee wanted to look at changing the ordinance or leaving it as is. Committee took no action on this complaint. This allows the ordinance to remain as is. No further action was taken by the Committee and the Public Safety and Traffic Committee was adjourned. 2 Streets and Garbage Committee Richard Coay, Chairman The first item was an insurance claim by Ron Bohler. Bob Fouts, the city's insurance agent, addressed the Committee. He stated that Clif O'Brien contacted him on September 17 concerning a driveway which was damaged in Westwood Addition. Bob stated that Clif had offered to replace the damaged section but the owner is wanting the drive replaced clear across. This is approximately 24'X18'. Harry Steck stated that the operator was told not to park the backhoe on the driveway. He stated that if only a section is replaced, the freezing and thawing will cause the section to move. Mayor Edwards stated that part of the driveway is poured on city right of way, just as it is all over town. Clif O'Brien stated that the city has a 60' right of way. There was an 8" main leaking with an 8"x6" tee. He stated that when you dig up a main to repair it, you have to dig with the main. There was no option but to sit on the drive to dig the trench to repair the main. The job was half started when Mr. Bohler talked to the operator. Discussion followed on the amount of the drive which would need to be replaced and the amount of the driveway the owner would like to have replaced. A motion was made by Harry Steck and seconded by Chuck Chapman to replace the driveway to the satisfaction of the homeowner. Bob Molleck asked what the price would be. Committee instructed Clif to get a price from Howard McAdams, the original builder, on replacing the drive with the city offering to haul the cement away. Voice vote. Motion carried. The next item was a discussion of the Wheeler's Truck Garage bills. The matter was withdrawn at this time. A problem with a tree on Baxter Court was discussed next. Mr. Sickle addressed the Committee. He stated that on July 16 he contacted Burlington Northern Railroad concerning a tree which was encroaching on his property. They were to send release papers to him. On August 13, he sent the railroad a registered letter. Upon hearing nothing from them, on August 16 he contacted Bob Molleck and asked what the city could do. Mr. Molleck called the police department who in turn contacted the railroad. On August 18, a survey crew from Burlington Northern came out and discovered they only have a 30' right of way with the city having the remaining 18' on either side of the railroad. The railroad stated that they would clear the airway for Mr. Bickle. On September 1, Dick Coay looked at the area and stated he would get with Clif O'Brien. Bull's Tree Service was to come out and trim the tree. Bull's was there on Monday but they removed two dead limbs from the tree but did not trim the airways. Clif O'Brien stated that Bull's did what they were told - cut the two broken limbs. He stated that if the airways are cleared, half of the tree would be cut. Bob Molleck stated that following the survey crew, Mike Elam, himself, Tom Reid and Mr. Rogers met to look at the situation. Mr. Rogers stated that he wanted the tree to continue to shade his patio. It was decided that the limbs would be trimmed on Mr. Bickle's side and leave the shaded area on Prtr. Rogers's side. Dick Coay stated that the tree is on 3 city property, the dangerous limbs have been removed. Harry Steck asked why bids were not taken on the removal of the dead tree. Clif O'Brien stated that the tree is not dead, only two limbs were dead and have been removed. On the bidding procedures, Clif stated that the past practice for bidding tree removal was not standardized. f+~ayor Edwards stated that it seems that the neighbor does not agree to taking the whole tree down. He stated that he does not want to cut the tree down if it is not dead, but does not want to spend a lot of money on the tree either. The city owns 18' on the back side of Baxter and Royal Courts which the people have been using all these years. With the possible abandonment by the railroad, the city would have 66' for a future road. Mr. Bickle asked Jim Elson to quote the law on encroachment. Jim stated that the law says, in essence, you can trim the tree if it encroaches your property, but you will be in trouble if you kill the tree. Mr. Bickle asked if the city would pay restitution if a limb falls and damages his botanical garden since it is a city tree. Jim stated that it is not the same as if you own a dog and it bites someone. Discussion. A motion was made by Harry Steck and seconded by Chuck Chapman to contact Bull's Tree Service and have them go out and trim the tree over Mr. Sickle's yard. Voice vote. Motion carried. No further business was discussed and the Streets and Garbage Committee was adjourned. Lake, Buildings & Grounds Committee Harry Steck, Chairman Bids were opened for the purchase of a tractor/mower for the water plant. The secretary opened the bids. The bid sheet is attached. A motion was made by Harry Steck and seconded by Chuck Chapman to send the bids to Ray P~IIcKinney for review and recommendation. Voice vote. Motion carried. The lake lots lease extensions were next on the agenda. Harry Steck stated he would like to see an increase in the lease with an inflationary clause every five years. Jim Elson stated that he had not received any information concerning the leases at the lake. Harry suggested the matter be tabled until the attorney can review the information. Committee agreed. Mayor Edwards state that he has been asked about a city auction. He stated that the department heads need to start putting their lists together and bring them to the office. It was stated that an ordinance will be necessary for the action. A motion was made by Harry Steck and seconded by Chuck Chapman to have the department heads get their lists to the city attorney for the purpose of having an ordinance drawn for the next city council meeting. Voice vote. Motion carried. 4 Chris Spears addressed the committee concerning the bill for the lease for the depot property. It was noted that this bill is in error and is not due until 1993. Mayor Edwards stated a letter confirming this for the file would be in order. No action was taken on this matter at this time. Chris Spears informed the Committee that the cabinets, sink and countertops were returned to the house at 504 South 5th Avenue. It was noted that an ordinance would be necessary for the rebidding. When asked if an open house would be held again, it was decided that it would be in the best interest to have an open house. No 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 to replace a digester recirculating pump mechanical seal. The cost is $1200 for a new one. The company will give the city a trade in for the old one but at this time he did not know what that would be at this time. He also informed the Committee that the shaft sleeve, which costs $800 new, needs to be repaired, but he is having Manufacturing Services look at it. He did not know the cost of the repairs, but it would not be $800 for a new one. A motion was made by Chuck Chapman to recommend to the City Council the approval of the expenditure for the seal. Seconded by Harry Steck. Voice vote. Motion carried. Will Taggart addressed businesses. The first allowed 50 square feet is for Kentucky Fried and are requesting 154 Chuck Chapman and se council the approval carried. the Committee concerning two sign variances for was a variance for Italian Express. They are and are requesting 276 square feet. The second Chicken. They are also allowed 50 square feet square feet of signage. A motion was made by conded by Dick Coay to recommend to the city of the two variances. Voice vote. Motion No further business was discussed and the Public Works - 4'Vater and Sewer Committee was adjourned. Kayma Duncan - Committee Secretary 5