1. CONCRETE PLANT: A neighborhood meeting (see agenda) was held on the 4th with 4 homes represented in addition to Mayor Kelley, Council members Berry and Vickroy, Todd and Jack Bohlender, Joe Butler (Downing Const), Chuck Burgin and myself.
There was some disappointment from the neighbors about the estimated $2.66 million plant cost and lack of available land. Todd Bohlender discussed the operational changes made at the plant including using the most direct routes to Hwy 65/69 (Ashland, Boston) and a 5 mph speed limit on the property. Only one neighbor said they noted the lack of trucks on E Ashland.
We agreed to meet again in February or March to update neighbors on potential progress.
The neighbors presented a rezoning request (industrial to residential) and it was explained that a rezoning would have no affect on the plant operations. Rezoning would only prohibit plant expansion (does not include repairs/maintenance) and it would prohibit replacement if more than 50% of the building were destroyed by fire, wind or other means. Based on the request (packet), the neighbors do not understand the affect of rezoning.
2. SQUARE BUILDINGS: Chuck Burgin hired Charles Saul Engineering to inspect the buildings to determine safety and the wall that can serve as an exterior wall. The cost is $2,500 and findings will be reported to elected officials as soon as available.
Charles Saul was the first engineer the city hired when the One Stop building collapsed.
3. SOUTH Y: Garden and Associates reports the preliminary design will be complete by mid-December. It will be placed on either the December or January committee agenda for elected official review.
4. LIBRARY HVAC: The Board will again review options to replace the 25-year old heating/air condition system with either a conventional system (estimated at $325,000) or geo-thermal (estimated at $416,000) that has a 17-year return-on-investment.
While the item will be in the capital budget discussed Monday, it will also be placed on the December 14 committee agenda for further discussion.
5. STREET REPLACEMENT: In the packets is a map showing “potential” streets for replacement in our 10/11 program. An engineer will be hired (by council) to review these streets to determine those most in need of replacement in the estimated $2.5 million project.
6. LEGISLATORS: A reminder Staci Appel and Kent Sorensen will attend the December 7 council meeting to discuss the upcoming legislative session as it affects local government.
7. JOINT MEETING: Another reminder of the joint meeting with the trustees on November 23 to discuss items of mutual interest and receive IDA’s request for FY 2010/11 funding.
8. LEAN: Glen Cowan reports DMACC’s LEAN reps have performed their organizational assessment and held the training session on the 3rd.
9. SIDEWALK WAIVERS: Community Development Director Chuck Burgin will have the sidewalk waiver information to discuss at the December 14 committee meeting. The purpose will be to review past waivers and discuss sidewalk installation.
10. HWY 65/69 OVERLAY: I received a complaint about the center line in the new asphalt overlay concerning the roughness on Wednesday the 4th and forwarded it to IDOT’s Brian Morrisey. They responded today that there is definitely a problem and the current situation is not acceptable.
The correction plan for the contractor will be to heat up the HMA and try to re-roll the joint to even the lanes out. We are also planning to seal up any of the joints that didn’t get closed tightly. This correction work will more than likely begin this Saturday as they begin to install the rumble strips just outside of town.
I greatly appreciate the IDOT’s quick response.
