Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2013 Mechanical Committee Meeting Minutes MECHANICAL COMMITTEE OF CANTON CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 26, 2013 6:30 pm Donald E. Edwards Way Historic Depot 50 N. 4t" Avenue Canton Il 61520 Aldermen in attendance: Aldermen Pickel, Hartford, West, Fritz, Ellis, Pasley Aldermen Absent: Alderman Nelson, Schenck Staff in attendance: Attorney Chrissie Peterson, Mayor Kevin Meade, City Administrator Jim Snider, City Clerk Diana Pavley, Treasurer Nicole Marter, Comptroller Caty Campbell, Fire Chief Keith Frank, Police Chief Dan Taylor, City Engineer Keith Plavec Others in attendance: George Hall, John Lovell, Jimmie Essex, Kevin Williams, Joe Davis, Brenda Davis Media in attendance: The Daily Ledger, Journal Star Video Services by: Joe Ginger PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Jimmy Essex (lifelong resident of Canton) explained that in 2006 Mr. Arnett made a presentation to the Council and the Canton lake watershed regarding the plans for a strip mine. During this presentation he discussed the plans of bringing coal by trucks down Cypress Road to access Route 78, but then changed his mind when he learned about the new Super Wal-mart that might be built there. He indicated at that time that approximately 100 trucks per day would be leaving the mine. The Daily Ledger issue of December-2009 quoted Mr. Arnett saying that you could expect to see 300 trucks per day when operations begin. Jimmy Essex explained this is a very large change from the original quoted number of trucks at 100 per day. At another council meeting Mr. Arnett said after reclamation the land will be better than ever. Jimmy Essex said he did not know if he was referring to the farm land, the aquifer or the watershed in general. Jimmy said that reclamation is not restoration. Jimmy further explained that Mr. Arnett previously stated that no pollution would leave the mine site. This is the same company that was found to have created over 600 pollution violations at their industry mine. If the mine, the IDNR and the IPEA are so pollution contentious how could the violation continue to rack up until finally they were served with a lawsuit? There are rumors now that since the Banner well was started and that the lake has not been used for some time that it is no longer a source of water. If this is not so, a simple statement from the City should correct the rumor. CACEI has been characterized by some as a group of anti-mine activists standing in the way of progress. The group's main concern is protecting a valuable component to the success of the Canton area. Joe Davis former coal miner and resident at the Canton lake area is the owner of Davis Sand and Gravel. Joe explained that he is in support of the mine. Joe explained that he would be happy to have the 300 loads of coal coming out of the mine per day to put people to work. Joe further explained that he is in support of the mine and the jobs it would bring to Canton. Kevin Williams is the Co-chair for Citizens for Economic Growth for Canton. Kevin said he wished to thank the Council and Mayor for being granted previous requests that helped in economic growth. Kevin explained that the detective agency has doubled the size in growth and revenue. Red Oak Estates has grown and expanded in the number of employees. Canton Internet Sales and Shipping came to the Council for some zoning issues and worked with John Kinaki. Kevin explained that his goal is to continue to grow and expand his businesses. The coal mine is a tremendous opportunity for the community and he supports the mine. PUBLIC SAFETY & TRAFFIC ALDERMAN JIM HARTFORD, CHAIRMAN POLICE REPORT ChieYs Comments: ? The Citizens Police Academy is in the fifth week. The students for the academy range from high school age to retired citizens. ? Chief Taylor spoke at the MABAS Conference on the department's wellness program. FIRE REPORT CHIEF'S ACTIVITIES AND NOTES: Finished and distributed all copies of the Emergency Operations Plan to the respective agencies. Chief Frank reported that the training facility plans have been moved back to April 9, 2013. Engine Two currently has parts on order and is at CIT group in Morton Illinois. The Havana fire department has loaned the City of Canton a vehicle to use during the repairs of engine 2. STREETS & GARBAGE ALDERMAN JUSTIN NELSON LAKE, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS ALDERMAN ERIC SCHENCK, CHAIRMAN MICA UPDATE City Administrator Jim Snider stated: We have received our liability and workman's comp membership premium from MICA (Municipal Insurance Cooperative Agency) for FY 13. As you know, the Council decided to join MICA in December, 2010 for an initial three year term. The fixed annual premium from MICA was $452,022. This was $68,611 less than IMLRMA (lllinois Municipal League Risk Management Association) The FY13 premium was $34,684 lower than FY12. At the annual board meeting this last week, we were presented our member premium for FY14 in the amount of $381,437. This is $35,901 lower than the FY 12 premium. The decision by the Council to joining MICA in 2010 has proven to be a very good one. This decision has saved the tax aavers of Canton the last three vears 5291,755 at a minimum. When the hi¢her trend from IMLRMA is factored in. the actual savin~s is three-puarters of a million dollars (attached ~ranh). As I reported to the council in the fall of 2010, my experience with MICA while serving as City Manager in Kewanee has been excellent. MICA, as a group, is very aggressive in controlling losses and reducing claim costs to its members since its inception. Effective loss control measures and a concerted effort from the entire Pool have led to a surplus in the loss fund. The total dollar amount of loss fund money returned to the MICA members as of 5/1/2008 is in excess of $7,900,000, and additional returns will be distributed in the future. The City of Kewanee has received $298,068 in surplus returned to them over the last 12 years. To put this more into perspective, the loss fund as a percent of MICA's total insurance program costs is over 70%. A 50% return of the loss fund, therefore, represents a 35% reduction of total insurance costs to MICA members as a group; most MICA members had already seen substantial savings when they joined MICA. As I indicated in the fall of 2010, in my opinion, MICA is one the most efficiently run organizations that I have seen in my 17 years of municipal management. The loss control and risk management training is very proactive for the municipalities in the plan. Having a direct working relationship with the claims administration gives the city an active role in overseeing the processing and paying of claims. COMMENTS ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Alderman Schenck explained that the Canton Lake is an important asset to the community. It's important that everyone be concerned about the future of the watershed. Alderman Schenck stated that he wants to see everyone concerned about the watershed. This would include everyone that lives around the lake including the farmers, the mining group and the people of Norris. The City has invested millions of do~lars in the Canton Lake water supply. Money has been invested in both the water from the lake and the water from the wells. Alderman Schenck further explained that he does not ever see this process changing. Keith Plavec explained that the intent is duplicity. During the late 1980's the City went to two deep wells during a water shortage. The problem with the two deep wells was the contamination and the EPA indicated that you could no longer dump them into Canton Lake. Different options were researched at that time. Drudging the lake, constructing another dam, having more deep wells around the area were all options that the City looked into. The City acquired this property back in the 80's along the Illinois River- which is where the collector well was constructed. The question of which source would be the primary water source has come up over the past few years. Keith further explained that there are pro's and con's to both sources. There was never an intention nor has he ever been directed to stop using water from the Canton Lake. The secondary supply of water was created to supplement the Canton Lake. Deciding on which water source will be used is a management decision. The chemistry of the two sources of water is different and is a technical part that needs to be worked out. The most cost effective and best interest of the citizens will always be an important factor in the decisions of the water sources being used. PUBLIC WORKS, WATER & SEWER ALDERMAN GERALD ELLIS, CHAIRMAN APPLICATION FOR PAYMENT NO 8 FROM ALL SERVICES CONTRACTING CORP FOR WTP FILTER REHAB PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF S21 099 60 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Hartford to approve the expense from the bond funds. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Hartford/Ellis to adjourn without the need for executive session. The carrie y voice vote and was unanimous. iana Pavley City Clerk