Sewer project revisions include added chlorination treatment

City Administrator Kathy Arnold provided an update on the sewer project during the regular meeting of the Gallatin Board of Alderman held Jan. 28. Ms. Arnold and Interim City Clerk Jason Helton attended a meeting Jan. 23 with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and engineer.

Original plans have been revised due to adding chlorination treatment. The plans will be modified and the project put out on public notice. Mr. Helton will obtain easements. With no further delays, the project is expected to be bid in early summer.

Due to the extra expense of equipment, Ms. Arnold contacted the State Revolving Loan Fund to inquire if there would be any emergency funds available. A qualification form was received and will be reviewed to see if the city meets the guidelines.

Utility Superintendent Roger Loxterman reported that he had received quotes on used bucket trucks and the best quote was from Altec. Altec’s quote of $33,000 was on a 1994 dual bucket truck. Mr. Loxterman stated that the truck is in very good shape and the electric department has been using it for the last couple of days. Other quotes on bucket trucks ranged from $51,000 to $81,000. The bucket truck that the city currently has will be sold.

City Administrator Kathy Arnold was authorized to enter into a lease purchase agreement for purchase of the 1994 bucket truck for a period of four years in the amount of $20,000. Thirteen thousand dollars will be used as a down payment with $5,000 taken from power plant fuel budget, $5,000 from bucket truck #3 allowance, and $4,000 from city administrator budget. The additional $1,000 will be for purchase of an auxiliary arm.

Gallatin Police Chief Jim Wycoff reported that the St. Joseph news channel did an interview with him regarding the Gallatin Area Animal Welfare Alliance (GAAWA). Chief Wycoff reported that the building is up on the new animal facility and the flooring will be put in next. He expressed his appreciation for all the donations that have been received on the project.

Alderman Bob Snidow reported to Chief Wycoff his concern of viscous dogs near Daviess and West Richardson Street. Chief Wycoff will look into the matter.

Alderman Schweizer recommended to the board that Bill No. 2002-03 be tabled indefinitely. After discussion it was agreed that the said bill would be tabled.

Ms. Arnold reported that the year-end financial statement would be published in this week’s paper and a copy was given to the mayor and board of aldermen. Ms. Arnold also reported that a complaint was received regarding a business not paying for water. After checking into the matter, the business is connected into another businesses water line, therefore water is being paid.

Alderman Griffin inquired if a decision had been made on LaVeta Hale’s request for reimbursement on malfunctioning water meter. Ms. Arnold will check into the matter and contact Ms. Hale of the findings.

Alderman Griffin also reported that she has received a complaint regarding parking on the north side of the street in front of the former “tea room.” Chief Wycoff was asked his opinion on getting the parking problem resolved. Chief Wycoff recommended that a two hour parking time limit be placed. Also one parking spot be removed from the corner west, due to people not being able to see around vehicles. A motion carried to instruct the city administrator to prepare ordinances stating two hour parking for two parking spots on Grand west of the alley and no parking on one parking space on the northeast corner of Grand and Daviess intersection.

Bob Snidow discussed again the problem of viscous dogs. Due to the dogs running to the end of their chain, he is concerned about the safety of the children and other citizens that may be walking in the area.

Gene Schweizer inquired about the city administrator budget being high for the month. Ms. Arnold reported that Jason Helton had been paid for unused vacation and sick leave and that also the office salary budget was high due to Candy Hughes also being paid for unused vacation and sick leave. Mr. Schweizer recommended that the board review the vacation and sick leave policy at the next meeting and he also requested copies of employees wages with Social Security shown. Ms. Arnold is to make copies of code for the board to review.

Mr. Schweizer inquired about the trash being shown as a revenue and nothing on the expense. It was noted that the expense will be posted against that account and the same will be done for sales tax collected and paid.

Mr. Schweizer discussed street lights being out on Lake Street and a request for a stop sign.

Shonna Morrison stated that a request was being made from Gallatin Area Revitalization Alliance for the city to run a temporary water line this spring for watering the flowers at Hwy. 6 & 13 intersection. Ms. Arnold will discuss this with Mr. Loxterman and report back at next meeting.

Mayor L.B. Davis stated that the transition of the city administrator went smoothly. He read a letter received from Galaxy Cablevision which states that the cable company currently pays the city a five percent franchise fee and the cable company had only been passing on a three percent fee to customers. Therefore, the cable company will be charging their customers five percent beginning with February’s billing.

Bills in the amount of $188,837.92 as of Jan. 25 were approved for payment.

The above are the unapproved minutes of the regular meeting for the city of Gallatin held Jan. 28 at city hall. Present were Mayor L.B. Davis, aldermen Bob Snidow, Norma Griffin, Gene Schweizer, Shonna Morrison, City Administrator Kathy Arnold, and Interim City Clerk Jason Helton. Also present were Police Chief Jim Wycoff, Utility Superintendent Roger Loxterman, Nancy Andrew, Tim Andrew, Donald S. Smith and Becky Ness.