COMMITTEE:          Water/Sewer/Street & Alleys

 

DATE:                        March 8, 2006

 

TIME:                        5:30 p.m.

 

MEMBERS

PRESENT:                 Johnston, Hermes, Gilmour, Strong, Orr

 

ABSENT:                                          

 

NON-MEMBERS

PRESENT:                 City Administrator John McIntyre, Water & Sewer Superintendent Ken Jeffries, Public Works Superintendent Gary Van Duyne, Executive Secretary Puracchio, Accounting Supervisor Robin Theobald, Reporter Monson

 

DISCUSSION:           Minutes

 

ACTION:                   Alderman Johnston made a motion and Alderman Strong seconded to open the meeting at 5:30 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.

 

                                    Alderman Hermes made a motion and Alderman Strong seconded to approve the minutes as presented and have them placed on file. All yes.  Motion passed.

                                   

DISCUSSION:           Update on Sewer Plant

 

ACTION:                   McIntyre stated that he signed the paper work for the STAG grant

 

DISCUSSION:           Water Issue - Apartment

 

ACTION:                   The apartment owner was issued a letter as well as the tenants that water would be shut off unless the bill was paid in full. Owner has until March 10 to pay.  Owner has obtained a dumpster for garbage disposal.

 

DISCUSSION:           Repairing Hit Utility Lines

                                                           

ACTION:                   Van Duyne informed the Committee that the company installing the street lights hit two storm sewers in Kahler Ridge phase two.  Shell had not provided as builts for the second phase.  Van Duyne was wondering who was responsible for fixing and paying for the repairs.  The committee directed Van Duyne to call Shell and tell him it was his responsibility to fix.

 

DISCUSSION:           Subdivision Ordinance

 

ACTION:                   The Committee asked that VanDuyne and Jeffries review document and bring comments back. Items such as running a line to detect plastic services have been put in as well as vaults on the valves.

                                                                 

 

 

DISCUSSION:           Purchasing Shut Off Machine

 

ACTION:                   Jeffries explained that he will be at a conference in Springfield and will ask around if there are any other companies that make this machine. The Committee agreed and told Jeffries to move forward with this issue.

 

DISCUSSION:           Bill Collections

 

ACTION:                   Theobald stated that from the original $68,000 in outstanding bills there is only $32,000 left.  Embassy Care is responsible for $23,000 of that debt.

 

DISCUSSION:           Back Hoe Bids

 

ACTION:                   Bids were opened today at 10 a.m.  One bid was received from Patten for $71,900.  This will go before the Council for approval.

 

DISCUSSION:           Street Name Ordinance

 

ACTION:                   See attached.  The Fire Department asked if this could be reviewed.  The Committee turned it over to the Ordinance Committee to review.

 

DISCUSSION:           Antenna Proposal

 

ACTION:                   See Attached.  McIntyre has been having conversations with T-Mobile. They would like to have an antenna on the north water tower.  The Committee advised McIntyre to proceed with the proposal.  In order for T-Mobile to have access to the tower a police officer would have to escort them and they would have to pay for their time.  McIntyre also recommends a special use permit for them and the Committee agreed.  Committee asked Theobald to research the use of the landfill antenna.

 

                                    Jeffries expressed concern with the frequency used for the meter reading equipment.  Last week the frequency was stepped on and blocked the reading of the meters.  It was discovered that Fulton, the company that monitors the emergency siren, was repairing the siren and had used the same frequency. The Committee asked Jeffries with Orr’s assistance to research this further.

 

DISCUSSION:           Downtown Light Project

 

ACTION:                   After a brief history of the project Orr agreed to be the lead on this.

 

DISCUSSION:           MFT Funds

 

ACTION:                   MFT Funds will be used to place Opti-Com systems on the existing traffic lights in the city.  The engineer will get a cost estimate on running the sidewalk on RT 102 to city limits.  If there are enough funds available then the city will proceed this spring with the project.

 

DISCUSSION:           Kankakee Street

 

ACTION:                   After the Council meeting on Tuesday, residents expressed their concerns over the safety of this intersection especially with Oakwest Subdivision coming in.  The Committee stated if the street intersection gets closed that Ryan Street will have to be repaved, curbed and guttered.  This will have to be budgeted for next year.

 

DISCUSSION:           Sidewalks

 

ACTION:                   Van Duyne went over the sidewalk share program stating that it will cost approximately $35,000 to complete.  The remaining funds will be used to repair severe trip hazards.  The Committee decided to ask for Council approval on 4,000 linear feet of sidewalk to be bid out.

 

DISCUSSION:           Lawn Mower

 

ACTION:                   Van Duyne presented three quotes.  The Committee informed Van Duyne to research the state purchase program first before the Committee will make a decision on the purchase.

 

DISCUSSION:           Adjournment

 

ACTION:                   Alderman Hermes made a motion and Alderman Johnston seconded to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.