CITY OF ANTIGO
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
OCTOBER 26, 2010
Members Present: Alderpersons Cahak, Dunn, Darling, and Turnbull (arriving at 3:36)
Members Absent: Alderperson Zelazoski
Others Present: Bob Piskula, Street Commissioner; Charley Brinkmeier, Civil Technologist/Surveyor; Sarah Young, Park, Recreation and Cemetery Supervisor; Tim Prunty, Antigo School District; and Erica Berg, Public Works Office Assistant.
This meeting of the Public Works Committee was called to order on the above date at 3:34 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Alderperson Cahak served as Chairperson and Erica Berg, Public Works Office Assistant, recorded the minutes thereof.
1. Approval of Minutes from July 27, 2010 Meeting
Dunn moved, Darling seconded, to approve the July 27, 2010 minutes as previously distributed. Carried 4-0, Absent 1.
APPROVED
2. Approval of Sign on Tenth Avenue and Edison Street for School
Tim Prunty, Antigo Unified School District, requested this agenda item. He displayed a bright yellow portable sign that is currently used to notify traffic of student crossing from gym class. He noted that he has tried a yield sign and a free standing yellow sign, both of which were stolen. He would like to use a nail attachment to attach the portable yellow sign to the street for a longer time period. The sign would twist and lock into place. He advised that it is difficult to remove the sign every day and when the sign is removed sand and gravel get stuck in the basin where the sign screwed into the ground. He is requesting to leave the sign up during the first and fourth quarters of school rather than removing it every day.
Bob Piskula, Street Commissioner, noted that he feels people would get used to seeing them and would start to ignore them. He further suggested only leaving the signs up during the week.
Alderperson Cahak noted that he would like to see more police monitoring in this area along Tenth Avenue.
Alderperson Turnbull suggested a crossing guard and flashing signs at Tenth Avenue and Superior Street intersection such as what is currently practiced on Seventh Avenue. Mr. Piskula advised that this would need to be brought to the attention of the Police Department. He further commented that studies have been done by the State and there is not enough traffic on Tenth Avenue as compared to Seventh Avenue. He further noted that the Police Department is considering eliminating the crossing guard at Seventh Avenue because of the expense.
Darling moved, Dunn seconded, to keep the yellow signs up permanently for the first and fourth quarters of the school year. Carried 4-0, Absent 1.
APPROVED
3. Outside Labor Rates
Mr. Piskula explained that the current outside labor rates are $35 an hour for straight time (callout) and $52.50 for overtime. He is requesting to change the rates commencing on January 1, 2011 to $50 an hour for straight time and $75 for overtime. The rates are mainly used for plumbers who work after hours, the Park and Recreation Department uses them as well.
Mr. Piskula advised that some plumbers have commented that they earn more than what they are currently receiving from the City in an hourly rate. He further advised that sometimes city employees need to stay and assist the contractors and in this case the contractors usually pick up the time for the city employees.
Darling moved, Dunn seconded, to increase the outside labor rates from $35 an hour to $50 an hour for straight time and from $52.50 to $75 for overtime commencing January 1, 2011. Carried 4-0, Absent 1.
RESOLUTION TO COUNCIL
4. Christmas Decorations
Mr. Piskula distributed a price list for Christmas decorations. He advised that the last time he bought decorations was approximately 18 years ago when he purchased 46 at one time. The purchased decorations were the candles along Fifth Avenue. Since that time the snowflakes were purchased along Highway 45 in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce. One snowflake costs approximately $406.
Mr. Piskula advised that after the Street Department crews began putting up decorations last week he received numerous phone calls about the possibility of getting new decorations. The snowflakes were purchased in three different stages resulting in the lights being three different shades.
Mr. Piskula noted that he has $2,000 budgeted for celebrations, which includes street barricades for parades and floats, etc. He also noted that he purchased $1,000 of LED light bulbs for the snowflakes along Highway 45 as he is attempting to switch all of the snowflakes over to LED lighting so they are all the same color. He is taking the old lights and using them for other decorations.
The trees along Fifth Avenue are requiring more strings of lights as they are growing and getting bigger. LED commercial lights are more expensive, but last longer. He also advised that we pay by the hour for the decorations that are not metered. Mr. Piskula noted that he paid $6,500 last year in energy costs, which comes from the Public Works budget. The problem that exists along Fifth Avenue is that there is not a sufficient enough power supply to plug in more lights and the circuit breaker would blow. The circuit can take more lights if they are LEDs. Purchasing more strings of lights will put him a little over the budgeted amount for celebrations, but he is under budget in other categories.
Mr. Piskula mentioned that if Fifth Avenues is redone in the future, we would only be able to put up five foot decorations, similar to the situation on Sixth Avenue because of the shorter, decorative light poles cannot handle the large six foot decorations.
The banners that are put on the decorative poles along Sixth Avenue are also getting to be in bad shape and they are only six years old.
Mr. Piskula noted the items on the back page of the packet are what we need along Fifth Avenue, in his opinion because they have garland on them and they are easier to see during the daytime. The snowflakes are hardly noticed during the day. After awhile, the garland starts to fall off and fall apart and looks dingy. At this point in time, Mr. Piskula advised he is only looking for support for five strings of LED lights, but wanted to bring the other decorations to the committee’s attention. When they are asked to assist in redesigning Fifth Avenue, the decorations on Fifth Avenue and Edison Street are not holding up and need to be replaced. Mr. Piskula thinks we paid $400 a piece for the 46 original decorations. He mentioned that the committee should spread the word that people can donate decorations if they would like. He also mentioned doing a fundraiser or some sort of promotion to get people involved.
INFORMATION ONLY
5. Approval of Excavation and Driveway Permit Prices
Mr. Piskula stated the driveway permit is $25 and an excavation permit is $35. He would recommend changing them both to $35 to make it easier for bookkeeping services.
Turnbull moved, Cahak seconded, to make both permits $30. Denied 2-2, Absent 1.
Darling moved, Dunn seconded, to make the excavation permit and driveway permit both $35. Carried 4-0, Absent 1.
RESOLUTION TO COUNCIL
6. Any Other Matters Authorized by Law to be Discussed
Alderperson Darling inquired about the stop signs at the entrance to the mall north of town. Charley Brinkmeier, Civil Technologist/Surveyor, advised that he is taking care of this. He is going to redesign the intersection and wants to place a sign south of Culvers to make people aware that there are two turn lanes. He would like to put in a “pork chop” island that people can still drive over if needed and it would not wreck their vehicle.
Alderperson Turnbull noted that she would like to see a barrier here that would stop people to which Mr. Brinkmeier advised that there is maintenance issues with this as a lot of trucks come in that entrance to deliver gas to Kwik Trip and the turn lane cannot be too shallow.
The committee mentioned that they do not want to see McDonalds move north of town. Further suggesting that having the driveway so close to the turn lane and the Culvers driveway may cause problems. Alderperson Darling said that he does not think the Highway 64 bypass will help traffic.
INFORMATION ONLY
Alderperson Dunn asked if the committee should make a recommendation for the street lights on Fifth Avenue to the Council now or wait until the project is in the planning stages to which Mr. Piskula said that it wouldn’t hurt to make the rest of them aware. The project is still a ways off, however, there could be a huge price difference between then and now. The Fifth Avenue discussion will begin in this committee and then go to either the City Plan Commission or the Downtown Revitalization Committee and then come back to this committee for design. Mr. Brinkmeier said that he would be surprised if discussion on Fifth Avenue comes to this committee in two years. The committee inquired why it would take so long and if there is anything they can do to speed up the process. Mr. Brinkmeier noted that funding is the biggest thing slowing the progress at this point. Mr. Piskula noted we are applying for grants, also explaining that Fifth Avenue was turned over to us from the State approximately five years ago and the Highway 64 by-pass will happen next year.
INFORMATION ONLY
Alderperson Cahak inquired about the fire hydrants on Hogan Street and why they are there without any buildings nearby. Mr. Piskula advised that the hydrants are mandated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and they have to be placed every so many feet. He further mentioned that this is an industrial area and we are hoping to have more buildings come in.
INFORMATION ONLY
Alderperson Turnbull inquired about the area by the Technical College that was in debate by the DNR. Mr. Brinkmeier explained that this area was mapped as a flood plain and one branch of the DNR wanted the City to fill it in and another branch of the DNR did not. He is working on obtaining flood plain easements and the area will probably be filled in next year with materials that have been stock piled nearby. A swale will be maintained in this area and there will be no standing water.
Alderperson Turnbull inquired if hills and slopes could be incorporated for walkers and cross country skiers to utilize. Mr. Brinkmeier noted this possibility. Ms. Turnbull noted that there is an Eagle Scout in her ward who is considering creating a cross country skiing trail in this area of town.
INFORMATION ONLY
Alderperson Darling noted that he received a thank you call regarding the chip seal that was put down recently because it got rid of a lot of dust. Mr. Piskula noted that Sixth Avenue won’t be done for sure next year, but North Clermont will be and possibly a couple of blocks on Seventh Avenue.
INFORMATION ONLY
7. Adjournment
Darling moved, Turnbull seconded, to adjourn at 4:18 p.m. Carried 4-0, Absent 1.
APPROVED
Vern Cahak, Chairperson Date
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