BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY

January 13, 2004

8:30 A.M.

     The Board of Public Works & Safety of the City of Huntingburg met in regular session on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at the hour of 8:30 A.M. in the Council Chambers of the Huntingburg City Hall with members Kemp, Peters and Gerdon present along with City Attorney Schneider.

    The Mayor swore in as Board of Public Works and Safety Members, Eugene Peters and Doug Gerdon.

     Mayor Kemp called the meeting to order. Mayor Kemp offered prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance to United States of America followed. 

    A motion to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2003 and December 18, 2003 meetings was made by Peters, seconded by Gerdon and carried.

    A motion to approve the claims as presented was made by Gerdon, seconded by Peters and carried.

    A motion was made by Gerdon, seconded by Peters and carried to approve the meeting dates as regular meeting dates of the Board of Public Works and Safety as presented in the 2004 City calendar.

    The Mayor showed the Board overheads of Senate Enrolled Act #1 and informed them that the City could be as much as $371,000 short of funds because of the retroactive effective date and because the City has been consistently under it�s maximum levy as determined prior to the new law.  Each department may have to cut their budget in order to have enough money for 2004.

    Wastewater Superintendent Hall reported that Reynolds could be started by the end of this month.  Hall indicated that all inspection will be done in house to save approximately $30,000.00. Hall said that airport extension should be done by summer.

    Hall said there are about 100 more connections to be made on the SRF sewer project. His goal is to have everyone hooked up by the end of this year.

    Hall said he has committed to about $30,000.00 to inflow and infiltration work required by IDEM.

    Chemical quotes need to be approved for the year 2004. 

    A motion was made by Peters, seconded by Gerdon and carried to accept the low quote of Brantag Mid-south for sulfur dioxide and chlorine as quoted.

    Street Superintendent Lehmkuhler present his monthly report.  He informed the Board that four quotes meeting his specifications for a compact tractor had been received and that the low quote was for $4,200.00 with trade in for a Kabota tractor.  There was discussion about spending the money in light of the impending financial situation facing the City.  It was decided that since the tractor cost would be divided by six and the streets and parks portion would only amount to a total of $1,400.00 that the expenditure would be approved. Lehmkuhler recommended the low quote of $4,200.00 with trade of Hopf Equipment.

    A motion was made by Peters, seconded by Gerdon and carried to accept the low quote of $4,200.00 from Hopf Equipment for a Kabota tractor.

    Quotes for financing of previously accepted equipment (a backhoe and a dump-truck) were presented.

    Board member Peters stepped out of the room for a moment.

    A motion was made by Gerdon, seconded by Kemp and carried to accept the low quote for financing a backhoe from Old National Bank in the amount of $58,189.32.

    A motion was made by Gerdon, seconded by Kemp and carried to accept the low quote for financing a dump truck from Old National Bank in the amount of $36,465,92

    Fire Chief Kissling showed the Board a key box from Knox Box.  The key box would be attached to a building and it would contain a key to the building.  The fire department would be the only key-holders for these boxes.  This box costs approximately $350.00.  Property owners would purchase the boxes and have them installed.

    Kissling told the Board a new fireman would be ready to swear in at the next meeting.  This would get the force up to the approved number of 25.

    The Mayor passed out a proposed Police General Order #18; Canine Program.

    Police Chief Bowling presented his monthly report for November & December 2003 and yearly report.

    Bowling showed a proposed sign that would be put in front of the Police Department.  The Chief said the sign would be paid for($1,000.00) by Hank Menke.

    Bowling also told the Board that Hank Menke was going to donate and additional $4,000.00 for police equipment.  The funds would be made available through the Huntingburg Foundation.

    A motion was made by Gerdon, seconded by Peters and carried to approve the placing of the sign in front of the police station.

    John Burdorf of the Fraternal Order of Eagles presented Police Chief Bowling with a donation of $1,200.00 to purchase three Taser guns.

    Bowling informed the Board that the Police Department has received a grant from the Dubois County Substance Abuse Task Force for a breath tester in the amount  of $373.00.

    Bowling requested permission to attend the Police Chiefs Mid-winter Conference on February 4-6, 2004.

    A motion was made by Peters, seconded by Gerdon and carried to approve Police Chief Bowling attending the Chiefs Midwinter Conference on February 4-6, 2004.

    Bowling also informed the Board that training would be put on at the Huntingburg Police Department on January 21 and 22, 2004.  

    Bowling also indicated that he would be needing additional drawing software.

    With the receiving of a $75,000.00 grand for the hiring of an additional police officer the Mayor requested permission to hire an additional policeman.

    A motion was made by Gerdon, seconded by Peters and carried to set authorized strength of police department at 10 (9 officers and 1 chief).

    A motion was made by Peters, seconded by Gerdon and carried to approve an additional police officer hiring.   

    A motion was made by Peters, seconded by Gerdon and carried to accept the conditional offer of employment and to employ Steve Coleman as a 1^st  Class Police Officer for the City of Huntingburg subject to physical and mental testing and acceptance by P.E.R.F.

    A motion was made by Peters, seconded by Gerdon and carried to accept the agreement as presented between Mr. Steve Coleman and The City of Huntingburg subject to his employment with the City of Huntingburg.

    A motion was made by Peters, seconded by Gerdon and carried to approve General Order Number 18.

    Being no more business before the Board a motion to adjourn was made by Peters, seconded by Gerdon and carried at 9:35 A.M.

__________________________                     ___________________________

Gail Kemp                                                           Thomas A. Dippel

Mayor                                                                  Clerk-Treasurer