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City is working on a system study of the electric utility

By Robert Vanderbrugen/Democrat News

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Monday’s meetings included a work session and Full Council. Although the agenda had the meeting as closed, the council moved into open session to discuss the matter. The aldermen heard a repair/upgrade plan for the City’s electrical  substations infrastructure. Electrical Engineer Ray Blakely spoke to the aldermen at the work session regarding how the infrastructure should be upgraded, which substations  should be worked on first and what equipment was already available to the City to make the changes and keep costs as low as possible. Blakely also provided a short presentation via a laptop and movie screen showing just how dangerous an electrical substation explosion is. He explained the benefits of upgrading the system, including having some back-up electrical power if one of the stations fail, something Blakely said the City does not have currently. Blakely said certain stations have available capacity, which is not being used at the moment and in his professional opinion; the downtown substation is already in bad condition. Blakely said he is concerned about safety at the downtown station. Blakely said the downtown station needs to be worked on first.  He explained some of the potential costs involved with making the upgrades; estimating transformers costing about $200,000 and adding regulators onto the transformers bringing the estimated cost up to $300,000 each. He also pointed out the difficulty of obtaining parts in a timely manner. “A medium voltage switch gear can take 26 weeks to get it.” Blakely said. He told the aldermen he can not provide an accurate assessment of the work until the system study is done; At an estimated cost of about $25 to $30 thousand dollars. The Council had already approved contacting Blakely and having infrared camera work done on the electrical lines according to the closed session minutes of July 28, 2008.  The aldermen adjourned from the work session and proceeded to the Full Council.

Full Council:

Mayor Danny Kemp called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. The minutes of July 28, 2008 and the minutes of the special council meeting of August 1, 2008 were approved after noting some minor typographical errors.

The agenda was amended to allow economic developer James Dismuke an opportunity to speak about the Capital Community Award for which, the City has been approved.

In 2007 “One Capital Community was chosen from each of the states in the Bank’s District – Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota. Communities were selected based on their size, organized planning efforts, unique projects, leadership, youth involvement, entrepreneurial activities, involvement of local financial institutions and their results. Consideration was also given to selecting communities that were different from one another to demonstrate a variety of approaches that can be used to meet a community’s economic challenges.”

http://www.fhlbdm.com/ci_capital_communities_2007recipients.htm

Dismuke said the award news release is pending a confirmation  date, time and place of when the presentation will be made. The award gives the city $15,000 to spend anyway the city chooses. Dismuke recognized VISTA worker Shanna Sorg for her part in completing the application and submitting it for consideration. Dismuke said this award,  “is a tremendous honor and recognition for the City.”

Mayor’s Report;

Kemp reminded the audience of the Fredericktown and Madison County Chamber of Commerce luncheon he will be speaking at. The luncheon starts at 11:30 A.M on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at Follis Place. The public is invited. Lunch provided at a nominal cost. Call the Chamber with any questions. 783-2604. Kemp said an estimated 300 plus people enjoyed the movie Grease and about 400 were on hand for the Dive-In movie Nemo.

The alderman also accepted the mayor’s recommendations, by motion and vote, for re-appointment’s to the Industrial development Authority (IDA) Board and the Park Board.

Finance Director Chris Wienecke was on hand to answer any questions the Council had about finances and the budget and to ask them to consider a marketing plan for the shredder at the recycling facility.

The Council passed (by unanimous vote) the updated liquor ordinance (Chapter 605) with the changes the aldermen asked for at the last Council meeting. Full details are available through City Hall.

The aldermen have agreed to accept the services of the accounting firm of Thurman,  Shinn and Company in Farmington. This is the same company the City has used in the last few years.

An ordinance was tabled regarding a claims made by Wal-Mart against the City and County regarding payment of the (Tax Increment Financing) TIF District funds. According to the ordinance, The City and County claimed the required public improvements had not been completed as agreed to in the redevelopment agreement dated July 26, 2004, and as a  result, no reimbursement from the City or County was made. Wal-Mart disputed the City and County’s argument, but decided to settle the disagreement with both entities. However, Ward I Alderman Brandon Hale questioned what account the money was to be paid from ($150,000 from the City and $848,439.93 from Madison County according to the ordinance). The ordinance calls for delivery of funds by check by the City and the County by September 30, 2008 with no liability being placed on any party. The ordinance was read by title only and tabled for further consideration by the aldermen.

The aldermen allowed Ivan Kranjec to speak about his request to have a street named after his surname in perpetuity. Kranjec said he will donate the street to the City. The Council told Kranjec they can not name a street in such a manner as that would obligate the next Council, which is illegal according to Attorney Kim Moore. The next Council would have the right to change the name if they choose to. Kranjec argued about the benefits of his donation to the City and had hoped they would still consider the street names. He estimated the donation to be valued at about $5,000, not including any utility improvements he would make to the property line. He called the contribution “A major contribution to the City.” The discussion was tabled.

The City has approved an ordinance bringing swimming pool safety fencing in line with building codes as previously adopted. Swimming pools shall be completely surrounded by a fence not less than four feet in height, which shall be so constructed as not to have openings, holes or gaps larger than four inches in any dimension except for doors and gates; and if a picket fence is erected or maintained, the horizontal dimension between the pickets shall not exceed four inches. A dwelling house or accessory building may be used as part of such enclosure. (Subparagraph A of section 225.430 Chapter 225).

The Council received a request for voluntary annexation by the Kranjec family. Moore said this was the first step in the process. A public hearing of the registered voters around the property in question would also be part of the process to allow the voluntary annexation. The resolution was adopted. No attachments to the resolution were attached to the document identifying the property to be annexed.

The ordinance accepting the donation of the Rotary Park from the Rotary Park Foundation of Madison County to the City of Fredericktown was approved.

The aldermen agreed to seek detailed proposal bids for technology services after  including what services the City requires from a technology provider.  The proposals would be more inclusive, rather than just having a bid to consider according to Ward I Alderman Paul Fritch and Ward I Alderman Brandon Hale. The Council will have something put together for the next Council meeting according to the aldermen.

In remarks  by the public;

Sandy LaPlant gave “kudos’ to the workers on Lincoln Drive who are clearing away the overgrowth. LaPlant said “looks great!”

Ward II Alderman Sie Merriman Sr. said he wanted to acknowledge DLB Computers-Darrel Bell for sponsoring the movie nights and also to Brandon and Tara Hale for their support. Merriman said the Pickin’ on the Square event continues to generate positive comments, however an issue with dogs being brought to the event was addressed.

Ward II Alderman Rick Polete said he’d like to see more coverage of the events in the newspaper.

Ward I Alderman Brandon Hale complimented the work done by the pool lifeguards at Memorial Park Pool. He said the guards work in very hot weather watching children swim hour after hour all day long.

Ward III Alderman Mark Tripp agreed with the positive comments on the local events, and extended his remarks to include continuing to work to improve the City by “keeping our nose to the grindstone.” Remember why we are here. We are not sitting up here for our own personal gain he noted.

Ward I Alderman Paul Fritch commented on the back to school fair held by East Missouri Action Agency held at the United Methodist Church recently. He said it was a nice thing to have in our community. Hale agreed and said, “Lots of folks are in need.” Hale also went on to remind everyone that school opens this Thursday and to drive carefully.

Closed session followed

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