6/1/09 Bd of Public Works Minutes

Minutes of the Oconto Board of Public Works committee meeting held on Monday,
June 1, 2009
1. Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Hayes
2. ROLL CALL: Ron Hayes, John Wittkopf, Scott Stewart, Lloyd Heier and Mike Destache
Also present: Bob Mommaerts, Jeremy Wusterbarth and Mayor Nerenhausen
3. Moved by Heier second by Stewart to approve agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
4. Moved by Wittkopf second by Stewart to approve and place on file the minutes from the April 27, 2009 meeting.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
5. PUBLIC INPUT: Mommaerts reported that he received an email from Scott Nelson, of the D.O.T. regarding the Highway Safety Improvement Program…intersection of Main Street and Superior Avenue came up as the 4th worst in the NE region of the State;
As a result, consultants will come in and study traffic and accidents, propose a design…if City agrees with design and decides to go with it, the cost would be funded 90% by the Federal government;
6. CORRESPONDENCE:
a) Legislative Bulletin;
Bill to raise tipping fees from $5.90 to $13.00;
b) Ask Ann;
Q&A with Ann Daniels of APWA…topics included stimulus program for developing bike/pedestrian trails…alleys;
c) Email from Gary Bancroft;
Regarding garbage bags donated to the food pantry for city residents who can’t afford to buy them;
d) Oconto County 2008 Recycling Totals;
Wusterbarth reported that he attended annual meeting a couple of weeks ago; Charts and graphs showing totals from 1993 thru 2008;
e) Oconto City 2008 Recycling Totals;
Wusterbarth stated tonnage went down in 2008…more going into garbage than recycling; Questioned report stating city had recycled only 12 batteries …knows there were more than that…will have Bushmaker keep track…loss of money for the city; Wusterbarth stated there will be a savings around $6,000.00 this year due to eliminating garbage drop-off at recycling center;
7. DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION ON THE FOLLOWING:
a) Request for Removal of Sidewalk;
Sidewalk is located on 3rd Street; Heier reported it is in really bad shape…goes nowhere; Wittkopf and Mayor felt the homeowner should be responsible for removing the sidewalk, not the city; Mommaerts stated it is our sidewalk, we are liable; Hayes stated part of the sidewalk policy is that city removes sidewalk…should revisit policy if changes want to be made;
Moved by Heier second by Stewart to approve the request to have sidewalk removed and review sidewalk policy next meeting.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes

b) Contract Grass Cutting on Private Lots;
Wusterbarth stated they are having a hard time keeping up with city lots…22 private lots in need of cutting; Will check with guys about contracting out, union issue…taking away work; Mommaerts stated we would advertise for proposals; Hayes stated to make sure the contractors are insured;
Moved by Heier second by Destache to instruct Wusterbarth and Mommaerts to set contract policy with authorization from the union;
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
c) Michigan Avenue Reconstruction Plan Review;
Mommaerts stated there is a change to be aware of…Jim Nerenhausen dedicated land on end of Michigan to allow a cul-de-sac which will be beneficial for plowing; In return, forgive Nerenhausen assessment for curb and gutter on east side of road; Hayes stated he thought this was a fair deal;
Moved by Heier second by Stewart to recommend to Council to approve Jim Nerenhausen land dedication at the end of Michigan Avenue in return for forgiveness of proposed curb and gutter assessment on the east side of street in the amount of $1,707.48.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
d) New Public Works Building;
Mommaerts reported the city could only get $35,000 in grants with stimulus money…not worth pursuing; Discussion on what other options there are…Mommaerts stated we could borrow money; Wittkopf questioned how long can we keep going in present building…wait a year or two when money won’t be so tight; Mommaerts suggested on drawing up a floor plan and go to companies to ask for quotes…have an idea of what the cost would be;
Moved by Wittkopf second by Destache to allow Mommaerts to draw up plan and pursue bids.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
e) Request to install gate on Wedgewood Avenue at Fifth Street;
Request made by Dave Rosenfeldt of the Sportsmen’s Club due to problems with vandalism; Mommaerts stated we receive about $2,100.00 in state aid for this road…can not barricade any road that receives aid;
Moved by Wittkopf second by Heier to deny request to install gate on Wedgewood Avenue at Fifth Street.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
Review accounts payable reports;
Moved by Heier second by Stewart to approve the reviewed accounts payable reports.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
9) Moved by Heier second by Stewart to approve the reviewed revenue/expense guidelines.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
10) Next meeting: June 29, 2009
11) Moved by Wittkopf second by Stewart to adjourn. M/C
Meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
Carol Stewart,
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer