Council upset with Hubbard (08/14/07)

DUNKIRK - Amid charges that the mayor was trying to play politics, a motion to accept a water system study grant was tabled at Monday's council meeting.

Rather than being greeted with open arms, the question of whether or not the city should accept a $15,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to fund an engineering study of the city's water plant sparked debate and controversy.

Mayor Sam Hubbard said he had applied for the grant, and within the last few days was notified about its tentative approval.

Trying to get a similar grant for sewer system improvements was discussed by Hubbard at the July 23 council meeting, but council members said they would rather concentrate their grant application efforts on improving the city's drinking water operations.

On Monday, council members questioned whether another engineering study about improving the water plant was necessary. They pointed out that such a study was done about two years ago, and things have not improved.

Water department superintendent Dace Mumbower said the filtration system at the present water plant cannot keep pace with the amount of iron in the water being pumped, and probably at least $800,000 in improvements are needed.

Hubbard said this engineering study would be a starting point to obtaining a larger grant. However, councilman James Doughty asked why the full council had not been involved in this grant application process, and accused the mayor of trying to play politics with the issue of improving city water.

Jay County Community Developer Ami Huffman was present at Monday night's council session, but she emphasized that she had nothing to do with this grant application, although she would be willing to help the city in obtaining a water system improvement grant through her office.

Following more debate, Hubbard said, "We could turn the grant down if that's the council's wish. ... We're under no obligation to do this." The mayor explained that he had planned to have Commonwealth Engineering Inc. of Indianapolis do the study. That firm currently employs Wayne Bailey, a Jay County resident and former community developer.

"You had this done before you ever brought it up before this council," councilman Larry Smith said. Doughty added that the matter should have been presented to the council in advance of applying for the grant.

"Well maybe I jumped the gun on that - so I'll take my lumps on that one," Hubbard said.

Next the mayor asked for a motion to either accept or reject the study grant.

Doughty continued that this appeared to be a political move on the part of Hubbard, who is seeking re-election.

Hubbard's opponent, Democrat Ron Hunt was present at the council meeting but didn't comment on the issue.

However, the mayor responded, "I have no thoughts of anything political on this," saying his intentions were focused on improving Dunkirk's water.

Following more discussion, council president Craig Faulkner asked if the matter couldn't be tabled, pending more review about whether such an engineering study was needed. A vote on the issue was never taken and the matter was tabled until the next regular council meeting.[[In-content Ad]]By ROBERT BANSER

The Commercial Review

DUNKIRK - A 2 to 2.5 percent pay increase for city employees in 2008 is under consideration here.

Mayor Sam Hubbard proposed those figures as budget deliberations got under way at Monday night's city council session.

Other council members asked Dunkirk clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler to work those figures into her other budget projections. A special meeting to review all the budget figures is scheduled for next Monday at 5 p.m. in city hall.

Kesler initiated the budget discussions Monday, pointing out that the 2008 document had to be finalized by the end of September. She said that in her initial calculations, she tried to keep the 2008 budget estimates for each department as close to the current year's figures as possible. These figures did not reflect any raises for employees.

Hubbard said that personally he would like to see a two to 2.5 percent across-the-board pay hike for city employees. He noted that his preliminary calculations showed the 2008 budget total figures were about $125,000 lower than the 2007 figures, and consequently he felt a pay increase was a definite possibility.

Responding to questions from councilman Craig Faulkner, Kesler said that she would need time to calculate possible pay increases into her budget estimates. Kesler said she would have figures reflecting a two percent as well as a 2.5 percent increase ready for the special meeting on next Monday.

In other business Monday night council members:

•Agreed to review two sample ordinance changes, prepared by city attorney William Hinkle. One concerns making garage and yard sale regulations stricter, and the other deals with making it harder to avoid the city's weed control rules.

•Approved the resignation, effective immediately, of Julie DiBattiste as city health and safety officer.

•Authorized payment of $40, 213 to Commonwealth Engineering Inc., Indianapolis, for work done in connection with the Ind. 167 water main relocation project.

•Noted that some of the new pipes had been delivered Monday to get the Ind. 167 water main relocation project started. City officials said construction work should begin on the north end of town soon.

•Noted that the last day for the city pool to be open would be Sunday.

•Agreed to have Hubbard and Police Chief Arnold Clevenger contact Westlawn Elementary School officials about ways to improve traffic flow on Pearl Street near the elementary school. This topic was discussed last winter and spring, but left unresolved as the school dismissed classes for the summer.