City of Colona Public Works Committee met June 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER: 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen Swemline, Jones, Feliksiak were present
STAFF PRESENT: Chris Lenth, Public Works Director
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
➢Cindy Ball who lives at 612 Cherry Ct and has lived there for 15 years shared her dissatisfaction with the vacant lots at 616 and 620 Cherry Ct and the length the grass grows before it is cut. She stated that every year it is the same. Currently the grass is 10 inches long and she cannot go out in her driveway without being bombarded with gnats and her husband cannot work in the yard because of all the bugs. Chris stated that the City has to begin new every year with the grass. Ordinance calls for the community service officer to identify the overgrown yards, notify the owners by letter and give them time to take care of the issue. By the time the City can mow the unkempt lawns with no owner reply, the grass has grown another couple of inches. The committee instructed Chris to get these lots cut and just continue to cut them.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:
1.The committee is in favor of reinstating penalties and shut offs on water accounts if there is no legal reason preventing us from doing so; however, they would like the council’s approval to reinstate. Chris checked and this month’s penalties would have been $6k not including the $75.00 turn on fee.
2.Chris explained to the committee that he would like to reinstate the water meter change-out program. He has budgeted $40k which will buy approximately 162 meters. He feels the City is losing revenue because the old meters do not read correctly and register less water used than actually is. Also, the company is not continuing to make replacement parts for the gun the meter reader uses to read these meters. If the gun breaks, there is no alternate way to read the meters. The committee gave their approval to reinstate this program.
3.Chris has received prices from Werner Restoration and Fire for the cost of the air sanitizing units for the Police Department and City Hall. The portable air sanitizing unit cost is $335. This unit will be used to sanitize the activity center, a vehicle or a single room. Alderman Jones asked how long the portable unit will last. Chris replied he was told it will run for 300 hours until some parts will need to be changed. The units which will hook into the HVAC at the Police Department and City Hall cost $496.35 each. The purpose of these air sanitization units is to eliminate viruses, and some mold. Alderman Jones asked if there were any chemicals involved. Chris replied no chemicals they work by ionization which cleans the air. The committee approved going ahead with these units.
4.A structural engineer came to CSFP today and took some measurements for the deck. He said we should have some plans in two weeks.
5.The City had scheduled a city-wide drop off for tires, appliances, furniture and E-waste which was cancelled due to COVID-19. Chris asked the committee if there was interest in rescheduling. There will be a charge for tire drop-off depending on the size of the tire and also a $5.00 fee for furniture drop off. The committee is in favor of rescheduling the drop-off but wants the full council approval.
6.The Public Works department will replace the steel back door and one window off the women’s locker room at the Police Department.
7.Asphalting for this year is complete. The areas asphalted were: the 300 block of 6th Street, 5th Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets, the area just off the canal road, and Maple Street in Old Colona.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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