The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
At the regular meeting of the Village of Stronghurst Board on December 5th, the trustees questioned and discussed additional fees associated with the new water tower. So far the village has spent $81,000 in fees for engineering and designing the new water tower. Chris Cooper of MSA Engineering brought to the board his proposal for the electrical control system for the well house in the amount of $46,200. This cost is just for the engineering design part, not the actual cost of installation of the equipment.
This includes the design, preparing and letting of bids, and overseeing that the project is done correctly.
Board members questioned why this amount is not part of the original contract and Ronnie Gittings explained this issue had arisen after the water tower design was contracted. This electrical control is needed to upgrade the pump house, as the equipment that is there now is so old they cannot get replacement parts when something breaks down.
Feeling there was no turning back now with so much money already spent, Betty Waterman made the motion to accept the contract and Amanda Kane seconded it. All present voted yes with the exception of Brendan Schaley who cast a no vote.
Mike Bohnenkamp requested that Lou Ann Nortrup have a copy of the original contract for the water tower at the next board meeting. He also requested Cooper tell Steve Haring of MSA that they would like him present at the January meeting.
Also discussed was the extra fees and delay of the water tower project, it cost the village to have MSA redesign where the water main would run under the bank property. The bank did not want it under where they were going to pour the drive for their new ATM. However, now that the drive is poured the water main could have remained as first designed and would not have been under the drive. Also the water main would have been straight where now it will need to have 45 degree angles which is not as efficient for the flow of water.
Dave Schaab of Waste Management discussed the village's contract which expires February 28th. After a lengthy discussion the board decided to go with a 61 month contract, which Schaab will prepare and bring to the board for signing at the February meeting. The contract will be for 61 months with a 2.5% increase each year and an extension of 9 months at the current rates. Schaab told the board their service to the village is a privilege and not a right and Waste Management appreciates the village's business.
Police report for November included: 156 hours worked; 346 miles on squad car (in shop half a month); 4 traffic stops; 2 verbal warnings; 1 uniform traffic ticket and a DUI; 2 ambulance assists; 3 assists with county/state police; 9 service calls; arrests 1 + 2 warrants; 28 business courtesy checks.
In other business:
The board went into executive session at 8:42 p.m. to discuss employee Christmas bonuses.
Re-entering regular session Mike Bohnenkamp made a motion, seconded by Brendan Schaley to give full time employees $250, except Lewis, who will receive $100 and part time employees $125. Motion passed. All Christmas bonus amounts were to be after taxes were taken out.
Meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. until January 2, at 7:00 p.m.
Present were: Mayor Gary Root; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Amanda Kane, Brendan Schaley, David Vancil, Betty Waterman, Tom Crotts; Employees, Ronnie Gittings, Lou Ann Nortrup, Morgan Lewis, Arbry Vancil, Bill Rasmussen; Guests, Dave Schaab, Chris Cooper, Jerry Nortrup, Dillon Vancil, Randy Jarvis, Shirley Linder