City of Barry City Council met Aug. 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Rennecker called the regular monthly meeting of the Barry City Council to order at 7 p.m. He then led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance. All elected officials were present.
Steve Schultz made a motion to approve the minutes from the July meeting and Marynel Corton seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent. Bob Dieker made a motion to approve payment of the bills and Steve Schultz seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent.
Jeff Hogge gave the code enforcement report. He stated the City cleaned up the property at 213 Williams Street which consist of tall grass and tree limbs that were from a snow storm that had never been cleaned up. Jeff said the main problems have been unlicensed vehicles and tall grass. He would like to increase the fines from $75 to $150 because we are the lowest in the County, but it will have to be put in an ordinance. Steve Schultz is in favor of raising the fine and Bob Dieker agrees with the dollar amount, but asked if repeat offenders get another fine. Jeff said sometimes people don’t pay and he has to go back to court and tell them and the court will send another bill. Robert Snyder gave the Public Works reports. He said they poured concrete for the “looking for Lincoln sign” and put 30 tons of oil mix on parking area by Baptist Church. They need to seal it or it will turn white and will not last. We got the meters read and replaced hydrant in Lafayette Park by the water tower. Also fixed three service lines and cleaned out a couple of ditches.
Jeff Hogge gave the City Administrator’s report. He attended the preconstruction meeting for the Ascend waterline and met with Altorfer about backhoe bid and had discussions with Martin on John Deere Backhoe bid. The museum had some leaks in the ceiling and he called Full-service Roofing to look at it and see what needs to be done. The small dump truck is at Knapheide’s and we should have in a couple of weeks. The water tower was inspected a couple of weeks ago and said everything looked fine. Mayor Rennecker said he has registered with ARPA funds to receive money for the City. We should receive $169000 but could receive more if other towns do not apply. The real challenge will be spending the money correctly. It has to be spent in a way that is eligible.
Mayor Rennecker said we have been awarded a $50,000 grant towards the purchase of a new backhoe form USDA. We have received two bids:
John Deere - $114,400
Altorfer CAT - $102,141
Trade in value of the City’s current backhoe was $40,000. Both bids gave the same trade in value. Bob Dieker made a motion to purchase the CAT and purchase extra warranty and Bridget Cramsey seconded the motion. Roll call taken:
Scott Harris – yes
Steve Schultz – yes
Marynel Corton – yes
Justin Puterbaugh – yes
Bridget Cramsey – yes
Bob Dieker – yes
Motion carried with 6 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent to purchase the Altorfer CAT. Mayor Rennecker discussed replacing street lights in historic downtown with the council. We have what is called Cobra lights downtown and are looking to replace the lights with ones that look a lot like the ones in Lafayette Park. He and Max Middendorf have been working with Ameren on the historic lighting project and have two bids for boring conduit from the following:
Central Underground – 1 ¼ in” conduit - $26,462.50
BK Electric - $24,000
The Acron bulb was discussed and the globe is $390 each and Ameren’s bill for the street light upgrade which includes overage wire (165’ x $6.00 per ft = $990.00) and Acron lights upgrade ($4680.00) for a total charge of $5670 and Ameren will own and maintain the lights. Steve Schultz made a motion to go ahead and lock in the prices. Marynel Corton seconded the motion. Roll call taken:
Scott Harris – yes
Steve Schultz – yes
Marynel Corton – yes
Justin Puterbaugh – yes
Bridget Cramsey – yes
Bob Dieker – yes
Motion carried with 6 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent.
Council discussed new basketball hoops and goals to be placed at the Pool Park. Steve Schultz said he thought we were looking at 72” backboard (High School standard size) but is ok with 60“. These will be moved from asphalt to the concrete pad where the skate park was. Justin Puterbaugh made a motion to purchase two Brute Impervia Fixed Height Basketball goals at a cost of $2370 each and Bridget Cramsey seconded the motion. Roll call taken:
Steve Schultz – yes
Marynel Corton – yes
Justin Puterbaugh – yes
Bridget Cramsey – yes
Bob Dieker – yes
Scott Harris – yes
Motion carried with 6 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent to purchase two basketball goals. Council discussed Ascend water main project. Max Middendorf would like to lock in prices and stop clock to approve stop work order. The work order allows a delay in project because of shortage of supplies. Steve Schultz made a motion to stop clock and approve work order and Justin Puterbaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent.
Denise Hodgernay appeared before the council to discuss grant for ball diamond at the YMCA. She has found 4 different grants and looking to see which ones would be the best. She would like to build a pole barn for concession stand, pavilion and bathrooms. Lot of the grants are 90% and we could qualify because we are a low income area. The bathrooms would have to be handi-capped accessible and she said it would be great if they could get the community together to help build this project. Mayor Rennecker said we will get a plan and bring back to council and have them look at it. The ball diamond would need at least 2 inched of dirt on it. Denise said she called Callender’s and he said he can get any kind of dirt they want.
There have been several complaints about cats around town. Mayor Rennecker said residents have asked about getting cats spayed/neutered to help with keeping the population of them down. The animal shelter has a program- Gray Trust- that provides 50% of the cost to spay or neuter a cat. The cost to spay a cat is $85 and to neuter a cat is $50.
Allen Flynn from the Barry Apple Festival talked about the festival and said the theme this year is Hometown Christmas and tickets for rides go on sale at the banks on August 16th. He asked if the City would like to be a sponsor again this year. He said the City has always given $500. Scott Harris made a motion to give $1000 this year since there was no festival last year and Bob Dieker seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent.
Robert Snyder asked about trailer parking. If people use 2-3 times a month do they have to park them off of right of way. Mayor Rennecker said as long as they come and go it is alright and park off site in winter.
Steve Schultz made a motion to adjourn and Marynel Corton seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
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