July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
New guidelines for tree-trimming OK'd (04/25/06)
Dunkirk City Council
By By ROBERT BANSER-
DUNKIRK — A stricter policy on taking bids for tree trimming work is now in force.
Council members agreed that in the future, price proposals would be sought from at least three different companies on tree-cutting or trimming projects with sealed bids submitted to the city clerk-treasurer’s office to be opened at a council meeting.
The proposal was made by Mayor Sam Hubbard.
This action was taken in response to complaints from city residents and local representatives of tree-trimming firms who complained about city street department superintendent Elijah “Lash” Harvey using a Hartford City firm to do tree projects for the city without giving other local companies a chance to bid on the work.
These type of complaints were registered after the 2005 ice storm as well as at the last council meeting when Tucker Tree Service of Hartford City submitted a $1,350 bill for cutting down a tree and doing some other tree trimming work.
At the time, council members said they were not aware of exactly what had been done, and wanted more information about the job which had already been completed.
The project had been authorized by Harvey, but needed council approval for payment because the amount exceeded $500.
Speaking out at the previous council session, Eric Bowler of E & T Tree Service, Dunkirk, said this sort of preferential treatment occurred after the ice storm in 2005, and he had been told by city officials that his company would be given an opportunity to submit competitive bids in the future. Bowler said he was interested in trying to save the city money.
Tucker’s $1,350 bill was approved at Monday night’s council session, with councilman Larry Smith voting against it. Council member Tom Johnson said he was voting for the measure “with reservations.” It passed by a vote of 4-1.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, council members received some good news from Barnum-Brown Insurance Agency of Dunkirk about the city’s property and liability insurance.
Due to a variety of factors, the city will be saving approximately $9,000 on the 2006-2007 premium when compared to last year’s, Bob Brown explained. He added that the level of coverage is basically the same. The new insurance premium will total nearly $44,000, city clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler said.
In other action Monday night council members:
•Agreed to adjust a sewage bill for Saint-Gobain Containers. The company’s February wastewater usage bill totaled nearly $123,000 while the company’s average monthly bill is about $45,000. Company officials asked for the adjustment, saying a meter must have malfunctioned. Mayor Hubbard proposed that the company should be issued a credit based on the average usage from three recent sewer bills for the plant.
“I think this is a fair and equitable way to do this,” Hubbard said.
Council members voted unanimously in favor of the adjustment, with the provision that Saint-Gobain be notified that this will be considered a one-time action.
•Voted 4-1 to reaffirm a previous decision to take $10,000 from the city’s Rainy Day Fund to settle a discrimination claim against the city which was filed by Regina Jewell, a former deputy city clerk. The previous action on this matter was ruled invalid by the Indiana State Board of Accounts because nine and a half, rather than the required 10 days notice of the prior meeting had been given.
Speaking from the audience, Dunkirk resident Pam Bunch once again objected to paying the $10,000. Bunch said she felt the city and its insurance company representatives should have fought the case.
“I can’t see it. I don’t know why we’re doing it. We don’t have the money,” Bunch said.
However, city attorney William Hinkle said he and the insurance company’s lawyer both recommended settling the claim out of court. Councilman James Doughty voted against the $10,000 transfer, as he did previously.
•Noted that the next Dunkirk Improvement Committee meeting would be held Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the West Jay Community Center. Guest speaker will be Larry Francer who will discuss revitalization projects in historic Farmland.
•Heard Bunch suggest that city council sessions should be tape-recorded, as they were in the past.[[In-content Ad]]
Council members agreed that in the future, price proposals would be sought from at least three different companies on tree-cutting or trimming projects with sealed bids submitted to the city clerk-treasurer’s office to be opened at a council meeting.
The proposal was made by Mayor Sam Hubbard.
This action was taken in response to complaints from city residents and local representatives of tree-trimming firms who complained about city street department superintendent Elijah “Lash” Harvey using a Hartford City firm to do tree projects for the city without giving other local companies a chance to bid on the work.
These type of complaints were registered after the 2005 ice storm as well as at the last council meeting when Tucker Tree Service of Hartford City submitted a $1,350 bill for cutting down a tree and doing some other tree trimming work.
At the time, council members said they were not aware of exactly what had been done, and wanted more information about the job which had already been completed.
The project had been authorized by Harvey, but needed council approval for payment because the amount exceeded $500.
Speaking out at the previous council session, Eric Bowler of E & T Tree Service, Dunkirk, said this sort of preferential treatment occurred after the ice storm in 2005, and he had been told by city officials that his company would be given an opportunity to submit competitive bids in the future. Bowler said he was interested in trying to save the city money.
Tucker’s $1,350 bill was approved at Monday night’s council session, with councilman Larry Smith voting against it. Council member Tom Johnson said he was voting for the measure “with reservations.” It passed by a vote of 4-1.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, council members received some good news from Barnum-Brown Insurance Agency of Dunkirk about the city’s property and liability insurance.
Due to a variety of factors, the city will be saving approximately $9,000 on the 2006-2007 premium when compared to last year’s, Bob Brown explained. He added that the level of coverage is basically the same. The new insurance premium will total nearly $44,000, city clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler said.
In other action Monday night council members:
•Agreed to adjust a sewage bill for Saint-Gobain Containers. The company’s February wastewater usage bill totaled nearly $123,000 while the company’s average monthly bill is about $45,000. Company officials asked for the adjustment, saying a meter must have malfunctioned. Mayor Hubbard proposed that the company should be issued a credit based on the average usage from three recent sewer bills for the plant.
“I think this is a fair and equitable way to do this,” Hubbard said.
Council members voted unanimously in favor of the adjustment, with the provision that Saint-Gobain be notified that this will be considered a one-time action.
•Voted 4-1 to reaffirm a previous decision to take $10,000 from the city’s Rainy Day Fund to settle a discrimination claim against the city which was filed by Regina Jewell, a former deputy city clerk. The previous action on this matter was ruled invalid by the Indiana State Board of Accounts because nine and a half, rather than the required 10 days notice of the prior meeting had been given.
Speaking from the audience, Dunkirk resident Pam Bunch once again objected to paying the $10,000. Bunch said she felt the city and its insurance company representatives should have fought the case.
“I can’t see it. I don’t know why we’re doing it. We don’t have the money,” Bunch said.
However, city attorney William Hinkle said he and the insurance company’s lawyer both recommended settling the claim out of court. Councilman James Doughty voted against the $10,000 transfer, as he did previously.
•Noted that the next Dunkirk Improvement Committee meeting would be held Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the West Jay Community Center. Guest speaker will be Larry Francer who will discuss revitalization projects in historic Farmland.
•Heard Bunch suggest that city council sessions should be tape-recorded, as they were in the past.[[In-content Ad]]
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