Johnson gets parks job back

DUNKIRK - City parks and pool facilities are once again under the supervision of councilman Tom Johnson.

Johnson held that post for the past five years until last December when Mayor Ron Hunt touched off controversy by announcing that he wanted to make a switch in 2010.

Hunt opened Monday's council meeting by saying, "I had a talk with Mr. Johnson and we came to an agreement, and now he's over the parks."

Following Monday's council session, Johnson concurred with the mayor's assessment, adding that he was pleased with the outcome and more than willing to serve as the council representative in charge of the parks and pool once again.

Also Johnson pointed out that he would be present as the council's liaison to the park board when that group meets for the first time this year at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday in Dunkirk City Hall.

Hunt initially named councilman Eric Bowler as Johnson's replacement, but later the mayor said he would supervise the parks and pool departments himself.

From the time of the initial announcement of the proposed change, Johnson questioned the reasoning behind it, saying he felt he had been doing a good job and should continue with the parks and pool assignment.

In other action Monday night, council members:

•Approved the purchase of a new backhoe for the water department to replace a 1993 model in need of repair.

Judy Garr, council representative in charge of the water department, previously warned city officials that the 1993 backhoe needed major repair work. At Monday's council session, Garr said the estimate for the repair work is $8,700, and other parts on the unit would not be guaranteed for that price.

After the meeting water department superintendent Howard Fisher said he had requested quotes from four companies for a backhoe with an 18-inch bucket attachment. The lowest quote, meeting city requirements, came from MacDonald Machinery Company, Fort Wayne. It was $69,900 minus a trade-in allowance of $13,000 for the 1993 model for a total price of $56,900. Fisher said MacDonald could also set up a payment schedule for the city of $1,100 a month over a five-year period.

Garr said that given the water department's current financial cash-flow situation, the city's best option might be buying the new backhoe with payments of $1,100 a month, rather than trying to make the repairs and paying $8,700 all at once, and then having the potential for more expenses down the line.

Councilman Eric Bowler said the city's current backhoe had delivered a lot of service and probably should be replaced. He said that getting a new one for $1,100 a month seemed to be the best option.

Meanwhile, councilman Chuck Rife recommended giving the repair work a try. "I feel like we should repair the one we have," Rife said.

Currently the city has two backhoes, and the water department is borrowing the sewer department backhoe as needed. However, city officials pointed out that the reason the city has two backhoes is in order to have a backup available.

As the discussion continued, Garr pointed out, "I'm sorry guys. This is something we can't table."

She eventually made a motion to purchase the new backhoe, and it was approved by a unanimous vote.

•Voted 4-1 to establish an advisory committee concerning the city's 2011 budget. Rife proposed setting up this committee and had already contacted four individuals whom he said were willing to serve on it. They are Chuck Huffman, Dan Watson, Bob Brown and Garr.

Hunt questioned Huffman's inclusion on the committee, as he doesn't live within the city limits, and asked if the matter could be tabled pending more review.

Hunt said he wanted city attorney Bill Hinkle to make a recommendation since this advisory committee was not being appointed by the mayor. Hinkle was not present at Monday's meeting.

However, Rife persisted in his request, pointing out that he had made a motion and councilman Craig Faulkner had seconded it. Rife said consequently the mayor should call for a vote.

"Obviously, we need some help with budget matters," Rife said.

Rife said he tried to pick people for the committee who had expertise in financial matters and continued to urge that a vote be taken.

Hunt eventually called for a vote, and the proposal passed 4-1 with Bowler casting the negative vote.

•Discussed the prospects for starting a canine unit in the police department.

City police are currently accepting donations to start such a unit and acquire a dog that could detect illegal drugs as well as help track missing persons.

Rural Dunkirk resident and professional dog trainer Jim Bob McEwen started the discussion by offering the city one of his border collie puppies for free or else a Dutch shepherd or Malinois which McEwen said could be available at a slight charge from a former area resident who he knows.

McEwen said he would like to try and train a border collie for narcotics detection, but he said he has not been able to get the necessary sample substances needed to train the dog.

Meanwhile, the city has also received an offer of a free dog with some training from the U.S. Air Force, but a city representative would have to go to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas to pick up the dog. That dog would then need to be trained with the Dunkirk police department's proposed handler - Officer Bobby Johnson.

Also present to answer questions at Monday night's council session was Officer Lenny Popp of the Delaware County Sheriff's Police Department. He is qualified to train Johnson as a police dog handler, noting that he would be able to complete that task in the Muncie area, once the city gets a suitable dog.

Getting a police dog "is a positive thing for the city," Popp said, pointing out that the city is lucky to have people and the Air Force willing to help. "The Lackland thing is a great option," Popp said.

•Approved transferring $76,938 to the city's Rainy Day Fund, as recommended by clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler.

•Tabled a proposal to create a green area on the former Boston Store lot on the east side of Main Street in the downtown area. The Dunkirk Improvement Committee has prepared a plan for the area, but council members voiced concern that the ground could not support the weight of the proposed improvements and was still in the process of settling. Rife said he would like to see the plan developed, but questioned the stability of the surface.

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