PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
December 1, 2004
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m.
Clm. Paul Skrede, Clm. Jon Monson, Public Works Supervisor Jerry Hudlow, Administrator Dana Young
John Flynn, a member of the Park Committee, was present to discuss three proposals pertaining to the Village Hall open ice rink. The first concerned a proposal to double the size of the existing ice rink to enable more skaters to have more space to enjoy the rink. The second proposal concerned the installation of a border around the ice rink to assist with laying down of water on the rink. And the third proposal concerned leveling the entranceway to the hockey rink to provide easier access for the Zamboni.
John Flynn stated that he felt that more residents would use the open ice rink at Village Hall Park if the rink were expanded. Jerry Hudlow stated that according to his records there were only eight skaters that used the open ice rink at Village Hall Park at one time in 2003. He questioned whether the additional maintenance time needed to add water and clear snow from the enlarged rink warranted the use by so few skaters. John Flynn stated that he and his volunteers would be willing to help the City Maintenance crew by adding water to the rink. Paul Skrede and Jon Monson stated that they would recommend trying the expanded rink for this winter and evaluate whether it too much of a maintenance problem to consider in the future.
John Flynn stated that he would like to install a wooden border around the expanded ice rink in order to provide a more level ice surface. He stated that there were sections of the ice rink that dropped 8” to 10” and that a border would help to fill the ice rink evenly. The Committee members stated that they did not object to having volunteers install a wooden border around the rink.
Further discussion was held on whether the Zamboni could drive over the incline into the hockey rink. Jerry Hudlow stated that the City’s water truck travels about 10 mph, about the same speed as the Zamboni, and it can make it up the incline into the hockey rink. The Committee recommended leaving the entranceway as it is until it can be demonstrated that the Zamboni can not make it up the incline.
2005-2014 Capital
Improvement Plan
The Committee reviewed the 2005-2014 Capital Improvement Plan. Police Chief Virgil Gustafson was also in attendance to discuss the proposed trade-in of the Police Jeep, Van, Denali and Police Chief vehicle for two Ford Expedition’s. Virgil Gustafson stated that he intended to make the police fleet more efficient by replacing older, incompatible vehicles with newer vehicles. He added that he had received a $22,000 offer from Superior Ford for the Jeep, Van and Denail.
Jon Monson stated that he would prefer to start out with one new Ford Expedition in 2005 and see if there was a need for a second Expedition in 2006. Paul Skrede stated that he didn’t really have a preference on whether to purchase both Expeditions at once or wait to purchase the second Expedition the following year. He asked Chief Gustafson why the Department wasn’t more interested in using the Denali? Chief Gustafson stated that the Denali already had 51,000 miles, it only had a six cylinder engine and wasn’t particularly well suited for police use.
After further discussion on the matter, the Committee recommended that further consideration be given to trading the Police Jeep, Van, Denali, Police Chief car and the Ford Explorer in exchange for the purchase of two Ford Expeditions with one of the Expeditions used as the Chief’s car.
The Committee discussed the purchase of a new plow truck in 2005 that is intended to be used primarily as a snowplow for the City of Greenwood. The Committee recommended initiating early discussions with the City of Greenwood in order to come to a mutual agreement on a 2006 contract that would take into account the depreciated cost of the snowplow.
Dana Young stated that the City’s AWAIR Safety Plan requires the City to hold monthly Safety Committee meetings. He asked the Committee members if they felt opposed to combining Safety Committee meetings with Public Works Committee meetings. Committee members stated that they had no problem with combining the two Committees into one meeting.
2005-2007 Public
Works Contract
The Committee reviewed the proposed 2005-2007 Public Works Union Contract. Paul Skrede stated his concern that the Union’s proposal to add a Sewer and Water Technician to be paid at a Mechanic classification might prove to be a divisive issue for the Public Works crew.
The Committee expressed their displeasure with the fact that the original quote of $5,000 for the Bridge Planing Project estimated by Dave Martini of Bolton & Menk was far below the actual bid of approximately $14,000. Paul Skrede recommended that Dana Young contact Pat McGoldrick, Randy Boyd, Mark Jones and the Chimo Homeowner’s Association to let them know that the project has been cancelled due to cost concerns and will be reconsidered again this spring.
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.