Resurfacing, roof repair on hold, preparations for winter

Gallatin’s chip/seal street projects are now dependent on the weather, according to Public Works Director Mark Morey.
He told the Gallatin Aldermen during their meeting Oct. 28 that Herzog Contracting Corporation will not be putting in a hot mix plant in Gallatin this year. The city still has the opportunity to have Herzog resurface Van Buren Street; however, the cost would increase by $12 per ton due to the material being trucked out of Elwood. This would increase the approximate total cost of the project to $110,000. The board decided to hold off until next year for any resurfacing projects.
The city didn’t receive any power plant roof repair bids. Administrator Lance Rains will follow up with the contractors who previously contacted the city inquiring on the project. He is considering waiting until spring to re-bid for the repairs.
The board agreed to order salt, sand, and calcium this year to be prepared for an early winter. Morey will provide snow plow quotes to the board at the next meeting.
Morey noted that the street department is waiting on a strainer basket to finish the repairs to the oil distributor.
The water department attempted locating a water leak south of the school last week, but crews weren’t successful even after chasing it 40 feet. Morey will be contacting a leak detection crew to help locate the leak. Crews have also been working on replacing several water meter pits.
The electric crew completed installing the emergency management generator for the police department at city hall. The generator will run everything in the police department, including the heat.
The board reviewed the People Service Operation and Maintenance Report for September 2019.
Bills in the amount of $63,685.17 were approved for payment.
Public Water Supply District #2 hasn’t responded to the proposed rate increase. Administrator Rains will contact Robert Cowherd on how to proceed.
The City of Gallatin received three engineering proposals for the sewer plant clarifier repairs/replacement. Rains has worked previously with all three firms. He will schedule interviews with the firms, and Aldermen Steve Evans and Dan Lockridge volunteered to attend the interviews.
The board recommended an additional meeting to discuss the 2020 budget. Rains will provide a few dates for the board to consider.
Alderman Lockridge requested additional information for MIRMA’s health insurance plan.
Discussion was held on a residential request to install a prebuilt tiny home that would be permanently constructed on a foundation. The board had no issue with the request.
During comments by aldermen, Carol Walker thanked those involved with Trunk or Treat.
Steve Evans led a discussion on the LAGERS retirement opportunity and stated his concerns.
The board entered closed session to consider the hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the meeting of the City of Gallatin held Oct. 28 at city hall. Present were Mayor Barb Ballew; Aldermen Steve Evans, Dan Lockridge, and Carol Walker; City Administrator Lance Rains; City Clerk Hattie Rains; Public Works Director Mark Morey; and Dan McCann.