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Carbondale
City Council
Council progresses on multiple fronts
Herald-Chronicle Staff
CARBONDALE—Mayor Ruth Towne began the first of two Carbondale
city meetings by officially opening the public hearing on the 2009
budget. Council members reviewed several figures before reaching
a unanimous approval.
With the closing of the budget hearing, the regular council meeting
was brought to order.
Rick Ensz of Cooper Malone McClain, Inc. reported on the Public
Building Commission Ordinance 430-2008, pertaining to the creation
of the Public Building Commission. The 60-day contestable period
has past without protest, and the council followed Ensz’s
recommendation by approving the formation of the commission.
The council will appoint members and elect officers to the building
commission and approve the by-laws at the Sept. 2 city meeting.
The council also voted to place a one percent sales tax increase
on the general election ballot Nov. 4. The tax would be used to
pay for construction, maintenance and operation of a new city pool,
with any excess going into the city’s general fund. Sales
tax in the city is currently 6.3 percent.
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Richardson presented the Hach Service
contract quotation for $4,980 – a $761 increase over last
year because of the increase in the plant’s size. The company
calibrates their equipment at the water plant and covers parts and
repairs if a problem occurs. Richardson stated the contract paid
for itself last year. After discussion, the council approved to
renew the contract for one year.
Richardson also noted issues in work being done at the Secondary
Basin where charges were submitted that he felt should be eliminated.
One of the charges in question was for $11,105 for painting. The
council is requesting the presence of Mike Haflinger, CAS, and Stacey
Lamer, Bartlett & West, at the Sept. 2 meeting to help resolve
the issues.
In other business, the council:
• approved purchase of $550 in parts to repair the clutch
on the city dump truck. Repairs will be made by city personnel.
• heard an update on the deteriorating culvert at LD’s
Car Wash at 210 Main, which is in the process of being fixed.
• heard progress on the fish feeders at East Lake, now back
in place and secured by welding and bolts. The previous feeders
were poorly anchored, and one was stolen. The city will also repair
a barbed wire fence on a landowners property that was cut when a
water line was laid.
• approved a contract locking propane rates Propane Central,
LLC, for one year. Propane is used at the lift stations and water
plant.
• responded to a letter from the Boy Scouts by voting to donate
$50 towards tents.
• heard an update from Carbondale Police Chief Adam Marion,
who reported 29 citations, 16 instances of complaints and criminal
activity, and 46 warnings during the first half of August.
Chief Marion also reported the department will be instructing self-defense
classes for women at 6:30 p.m. in the Carbondale Attendance Center
Commons the last Tuesday of each month. The class is open to all
women over 14. |
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