Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Public Works Committee met Sept. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The public works committee met on September 4, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Present: Chairman Gould, Alderman Sharp, Alderman Hughes, Mayor White, City Engineer Coulter, Superintendent Sutherland, Office Manager Passage

Chairman Gould called the meeting to order.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment

BUDGET REVIEW

Superintendent Sutherland stated that he has reviewed the budget and the budget is in line to where we need to be at this time.

1509 HARBORWAY DR. – IRRIGATION METER

Chase Jackson, 1509 Harborway Dr., addressed the committee. He explained that his irrigation meter was installed approximately a year ago, however; the house meter was also registering the irrigation usage. He questioned why the public works inspected the meter and felt that it was the public works department who should have found the problem. He stated that the public works should pay for the meter to be reinstalled properly and he should be given a refund.

Office Manager Passage gave a report regarding when the irrigation meter started and the number of billing cycles that were processed with the house meter registering the irrigation usage. Ten billing cycles will need to be corrected. Office Manager Passage read the city code regarding the requirement of how the meter was to be installed and the inspection requirement. Superintendent Sutherland explained the inspection process. Mayor White recommended that the ten billing cycles be corrected and discussion was held regarding the inspection process. After discussion, the consensus of the committee was to adjust the ten billing cycles and require the homeowner at his expense to have the meter installed according to the city code. Homeowner was advised that he should not use the irrigation meter until it is installed correctly.

617 MARCUS CT. – IRRIGATION METER

Office Manager Passage explained that the irrigation meter at 617 Marcus Ct. was also installed where the house meter was also registering the irrigation usage. The number of billings that were affected was two plus the current one which is not billed yet. Superintendent Sutherland stated he has talked with this homeowner and has verified that the meter installation has been

corrected. After discussion, the consensus of the committee was to adjust the three billing cycles.

Mayor White recommended that Superintendent Sutherland look at the code to see if a change to the code is needed to clarify the requirement.

HIGH USAGE WAIVER

Office Manager Passage stated that she had received one high usage waiver request.

Cohen Development 308 Plaza Drive. Superintendent Sutherland reviewed the request and stated he met with them and there was a hose bib that was in the meter pit that had failed and the water did not go through the system. Cohen Development is the owner of the building and it was not occupied. Should the committee take the stand that no water was to be used then the bill would be a minimum bill which is $5.50 for the water/sewer charge. Therefore; $15.29 would be waived. A discussion was held and the consensus of the committee was to waive the $15.29.

SIDEWALK APPLICATIONS

Office Manager Passage stated one application was received for the Sidewalk program. Joel Watkins 1012 Beech. City Share of the cost would be $1,000.00. The consensus of the committee was to present the application for approval at the September 9, 2019 council meeting.

MOSQUITO SPRAYING

Mayor White stated that the city had received information from the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association, Blaine Kurth regarding mosquito spraying.

Mike Contratto, 1138 Cedar addressed the committee. He talked about the chemical that the city is spraying. He stated he had contacted a technician that is an advisor to the American Mosquito Association. He recommended that the city follow the advice of agencies regarding spraying and to not spray unnecessarily. The city should obtain indicators to determine when to spray.

Patrice Espinosa addressed the committee. She asked that the city look at the big picture and do what is best for the environment.

Sandy Pomazal, addressed the committee. She stated that she did not live in the City however; she does support Mike Contratto. She believes it is time to pause and take a look at the whole issue.

Scott Shepler, 624 Elm, addressed the committee. He was concerned as he has notice there are less birds, spiders, bees in his yard. He feels that the city is not doing mosquito abatement effectively.

Sharleen Willford, 815 Cutright addressed the committee. She stated that she is in favor of spraying as her children are allergic to mosquitos and the spraying has helped. She suggested that the city consider an alert system to notify the citizens.

A discussion ensued. After discussion, the Mayor recommended that the City should finish out this year spraying schedule and Superintendent Sutherland will review the mosquito program to improve the process. The committee was in agreement.

Alderman Connor questioned why the city sprayed every two weeks. Superintendent Sutherland stated it was a recommendation from Clark mosquito.

PAYMENT – OTTO’S MONUMENT – BOAT RAMP/DOCK

Office Manager Passage stated that due to the spring flooding the north ramp/dock

needed repair and we received approval at the August 12, 2019 council meeting for an expense not to exceed $29,000.00. However, the Otto’s monument cost was not included in the estimate. The cost for Otto’s monument to remove and replace the ramp was $1,650.00.

The consensus of the committee is to present the bill for approval at the September 9, 2019 council meeting.

PROJECT UPDATE

Engineer Coulter stated that the seal coating of Azbell Street was still in process.

OLD BUSINESS

CITY SIDEWALK (GRANT) UPDATE

Office Manager Passage stated that the Mayor has signed the grant agreement and we are waiting for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to sign the agreement. At the September 9, 2019 council meeting, the topic of city sidewalk (grant) will be listed to seek approval for the engineer to proceed with the project.

SUMMARY

Council Agenda Items – Sidewalk Program Application Payment – Otto’s Monument

City Sidewalk – Grant – City Park Chairman Action – nothing to report

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:29 p.m.

http://www.cityofchillicotheil.com/PUBLIC%20WORKS%209.4.19.pdf