June 2, 2009
6:30 p.m.
Chairperson Trimm made the statement regarding the Open Meetings Act as required by statute.
1. Chairperson Trimm called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and asked for roll call. Other members present were: Davis, Lueders and Kuzelka.
2. Next, was the motion to convene. Member Lueders made the motion to convene. Member Davis seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 4 - "yes" (Davis, Kuzelka, Trimm and Lueders) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
3. Next, was the motion to approve the minutes of March 31st, 2009. Member Kuzelka made the motion to approve the minutes. Member Davis seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 4 - "yes" (Trimm, Davis, Kuzelka and Lueders) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
4. Next was the discussion and recommendation regarding the street department’s request to lease a 2009 New Holland model L 185 skid loader. Member Lueders made the motion to discuss. Member Kuzelka seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 4 - "yes" (Trimm, Davis, Kuzelka and Lueders) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
Mick Hynek, the streets superintendent, spoke on behalf of the City. Hynek stated that the city has a good opportunity to lease a skid loader for $1,500 a year for 250 hours. He would like to do this in an effort to save wear on our skid loader. Hynek stated that we will use the skid loader approximately 200 hours a year and that to buy a new skid loader would cost $35,000 and refurbishing ours would be approximately $30,000 - $40,000 He stated that the lease term was for 1 year and although we must maintain it they will do warranty work. Lueders questioned if it came with attachments and Hynek stated that it did not but he planned on going in with the light and water office to get any attachments they want. Member Davis made the motion to send this request on to council. Member Kuzelka seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 4 - "yes" (Trimm, Davis, Kuzelka and Lueders) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
5. Next was the discussion and recommendation regarding Ron Brackle’s request to landscape the F Street terrace from 4th Street to 5th Street. Member Lueders made the motion to discuss. Member Kuzelka seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 4 - "yes" (Trimm, Davis, Kuzelka and Lueders) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
Ronald Brackle was present and addressed the committee. He referred to the photos presented to the committee stating his plans for terrace improvements and showing the damaged sidewalks/terrace. Brackle stated he would like to replace the cement that heaved because of the tree with woodchips and asked if the city would be able to help with that because he did not have the means to do it himself. Hynek stated that the city does have wood chips that they would allow him to use but that the city did not want to be responsible for removing the cement hauling it away and putting in wood chips. Hynek also stated that any landscaping put in needed to be maintained according to the city ordinances. Hynek agreed that the curb could be fixed but stated that it would not be curved as Brackle requested but rather as it was originally designed which is city policy. Davis questioned how people would be able to get to their cars and if they would have to walk over the wood chips to which Brackle responded that it would be no different than stepping through snow. Hynek asked what Brackle planned to do as far as removing snow. Brackle stated that he planned to leave the snow. Hynek questioned how people would get over the snow to the parking spaces. Bedlan noted according to city ordinance the abutting property owners were responsible for the maintenance of the sidewalks. To which Brackle responded that his legal opinion was that the city was responsible for sidewalks and he did not believe that he could be required to maintain them. All members of the committee noted the expense and Member Trimm asked that the streets department get together some costs and come back to the committee to discuss the issue further. Member Lueders made the motion to table the discussion until the street department could come up with some costs for doing Brackle’s suggested sidewalk landscaping. Member Kuzelka seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 4 - "yes" (Trimm, Davis, Kuzelka and Lueders) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
6. Next was discussion regarding operation of the swimming pool.
Sarah Mach was present and spoke in regards to management of the pool. She stated that prices for concessions were rounded up from the purchase price and that she wanted to keep prices reasonable so that kids that were at the pool all day could afford to eat something for lunch.
Jeremy Christensen president of the swim team board was also present and explained the swim meet procedures. He noted that swim team does not pay for use of the pool during the tournament nor do they pay when they swim in other towns it is hosted by the local swim team and he does not know what their pools charge if anything. It was noted that one option would be to have the pool open after the swim meet and charge for use then. Member Trimm also noted that the swim meets are a large draw to Fairbury and do bring money to the town in other ways.
7. With no further discussion, member Davis made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Member Kuzelka seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 4 - "yes" (Trimm, Davis, Kuzelka and Lueders) / 0 - "no". The motion passed. Chairperson Trimm declared the meeting adjourned.
Laura K. Bedlan
Public Works Committee Secretary