DECEMBER 10, 2001
CITY OF ATTICA
The Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 10th day of December 2001 at the hour of 7 p.m. at city hall. Those present: Mrs. Valarie Maus, Mr. Larry Grant, Mr. Bill Craft, Mr. Curt Phelps, Mrs. Kay Gustus, Mr. Deon Swift, and Mr. Tom O'Connor.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Mr. Phelps made a motion to approve minutes of the November 12, 2001 meeting, seconded by Mrs. Maus. All ayes.
Before the meeting began, Mayor Swift swore in Burnadette Jordan as Building Commissioner.
CITIZENS PETITIONS
City Attorney Tom O'Connor reported that a petition from Harrison Steel to close a portion of a street had been filed with the council. Harrisons has requested a portion of Pine Street be vacated that runs east and west, bound on the west by Union Street and on the east by Mound Street. Mr. Phelps made a motion to set a hearing for this request at the January 14, 2002 meeting, seconded by Mrs. Gustus. All ayes.
DEPARTMENT HEADS
Mr. Robert Smith, Director of Public Works, stated that four homes had been hooked up to the new water main on the north end. The project should be completed in approximately six days. After completion, Mr. Smith would like permission to finish running the rest of the main up Summit Street. He said it would take about three weeks to finish it, weather permitting.
Mr. Smith informed the council that a pump seized up at the lift station, destroying the motor. At the moment, the lift station is running on one pump. He is expecting it will be five weeks before all parts are in to rebuild it. In 2002, a pump at the sewage plant will be rebuilt. Then, in 2003, the second pump at the lift station will be rebuilt. The city has a total of five pumps; two at the lift station and three at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mayor Swift said it was going to cost from $8,500 to $10,000 to rebuild each pump.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mayor Swift let the council know that the flow meters and recorders for the Wastewater Treatment Plant had been ordered and would be in soon. Also, Mr. Smith said he expected arrival of the rain gauge the next day and it would be installed at that time. These items have to do with the CSO's (combined sewer overflow).
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Swift went on record to publicly thank Mrs. Alice Rollins and her committee in obtaining funds for and supervising the Christmas Decorations for the downtown area. He also wished to thank the city employees who assisted in hanging them.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mayor Swift announced there would be a Combined Sewer Overflow meeting on Thursday, December 27, 6:30 p.m. with the Citizen's Committee. Mr. Reggie Baker, Jr. from IDEM will be here to give a presentation. There are seven members on the Citizen's Committee.
Mayor Swift also announced Mr. Ken Olson is retiring from the Police Merit Board as of January 1, 2002. He is the last original member to serve on the board.
The council set the date of Thursday, December 20, at 7 p.m. to meet for discussion of the 2002 Budget line items and the Rainy Day Fund.
The Board of Works & Safety has changed their meeting date from December 18 to Tuesday, December 17, 5:30 p.m. The insurance auditors will present the insurance bids to the city; discussion and signing of a contract will be at that time.
Mayor Swift informed the council that while the city had been previously turned down for a grant for the north side water improvements, we are going to reapply. He and Mr. Smith feel the city can do $100,000 of the project and that amount will be deducted from the project cost; the city will be using their own labor and equipment. The Department of Commerce said the city must do an income survey, which will cost approximately $1,200. We also must have citizens in that area write a letter regarding their water problems. Based on the above suggestions, the Department of Commerce encourages the city to reapply. They will put us on their March agenda and we should hear from them in April or May.
Mayor Swift told the council that he has been working on upgrading the city employee personnel policy. He will present it to them soon for their approval and/or corrections.
Mayor Swift thanked Mr. O'Farrell and the fire department for the good job they did this year. He also thanked Mr. Smith and his staff, the council, Mrs. Mitchell and her staff, and Mr. O'Connor for all that they do from day to day.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the council, Mrs. Gustus made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Phelps.
_______________________________
Deon H. Swift, II, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Nancy Jo Mitchell, Clerk/Treasurer