Chance to bid sought by E&T (2/15/05)

DUNKIRK — City officials here are continuing to cope with the aftermath of January’s major ice storm.

Complaints at Monday night’s council meeting dealt with service and cost issues relating to the pick up and removal of broken branches and other debris from the storm.

Dunkirk resident Eric Bowler, one of the owners of E & T Tree Service of Dunkirk, asked why his company had not been asked to submit a bid for branch removal and chipping services prior to the hiring of Tucker Tree Service of Hartford City.

A bill for $13,000 was approved at the previous council meeting for this type of work from Tucker Tree Service. However, Bowler said that there are other tree service firms, closer to Dunkirk, which could have handled the job.

E & T Tree Service has worked for American Electric Power Co. and the town of Eaton, Bowler said. He requested that E & T be notified and given a chance to submit a sealed bid on any future city work.

Noting that he was a member of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department, Bowler said he was interested in helping his hometown. Later in the meeting, Bowler offered to have E & T help with community projects, such as putting up holiday decorations on street light poles or repairing flagpole problems at no cost to the city.

Dunkirk Mayor Sam Hubbard told Bowler to contact city street department supervisor Lash Harvey about submitting bids on future projects. The mayor said that he would also talk to Harvey about asking for bids on future work. Bowler said he would like the city to use a formal system of receiving sealed bids, rather than just calling for price quotes.

Also speaking at the meeting was Dunkirk resident David Duddleston, 11415 West 400 South, who said he was upset because a city employee had questioned whether his residence was inside the city limits before agreeing to pick up limbs there.

Duddleston said he wanted to verify that the home was indeed within the city limits and that he paid city taxes. He also questioned why city street department crews didn’t plow snow on the county road in front of his house.

Duddleston also asked that police increase their efforts to control speeding near his house and in the nearby city park.

Hubbard agreed to have the police be on the lookout for speeders in that area, especially on the streets in the city park.

Also the mayor announced that Friday, Feb. 18, will be the deadline for property owners to put tree branches and other debris by the curbside for removal by city crews.

Hubbard added he has a follow-up meeting scheduled with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to discuss expenses incurred by the city as a result of the storm and power outage last month. Hubbard said FEMA officials require detailed lists and receipts for reimbursement purposes.

Councilman Tom Johnson said there are still a lot of tree branches remaining to be picked up at the Dunkirk City Park. Hubbard said a list of more trees to be trimmed or removed throughout the city is still being compiled.

Prior to Monday’s regular council session, a brief meeting of the Dunkirk Board of Public Works and Safety was held in the council chambers. Hubbard and council members Craig Faulkner and James Doughty serve on that board.

At that meeting, Dunkirk Police Chief Arnold Clevenger submitted a written recommendation to demote police department Capt. Michael Kreps to the rank of patrolman first class. An executive session on this topic was held earlier in the month with Clevenger, Doughty, Hubbard and Faulkner present.

In making his recommendation, Clevenger cited three reasons including neglect of duty — canceling an appearance in court on a morning when Kreps was subpoenaed to be there; misuse of authority; and violation of codes in the Dunkirk Police Department Policy and Procedures Manual.

Faulkner made a motion to accept the chief’s recommendation, effective March 1. Hubbard voted in favor of that action. Doughty was not present but had previously said he wanted to abstain on the matter.

Kreps was not present at Monday’s meeting, and attempts by The Commercial Review to contact him afterwards were unsuccessful.

In other business at Monday night’s council meeting, members:

•Accepted for study and review a financial report from the Glass Days Committee, showing a current balance of $4,650 in the festival’s account. Also council members agreed to sanction Pam Brown as Glass Days Committee Festival chairperson and Karen McCarty as secretary-treasurer.

•Approved the purchase of eight vinyl-coated metal picnic tables for $5,200 from American Playground Co. for the city park. These are handicapped-accessible picnic tables which can be used by people in wheelchairs, Johnson said.

•Agreed to have Virgil Taylor Construction Co. of Dunkirk supervise the building of a new concession stand to replace a dilapidated one near the large ball diamond near Highland Avenue in the city park. Johnson said the cost of this project will be $6,175.

•Heard a report from Doughty that he and city street department crews were on the lookout for potholes which need to be repaired as soon as the weather allows.[[In-content Ad]]