Savanna Council Welcomes
Carol Fosdick, Approves Transfer Station Charge Hike

By MICHAEL MILLER | For The Prairie Advocate News

SAVANNA, IL – Savanna’s Ward One has a new Alderperson, as of Tuesday, November 13th, as Carol Fosdick of North Fifth Street was sworn in, replacing the just departed Bill Grummitt. Fosdick was appointed by Mayor Larry Stebbins and this appointment was approved by the entire Council. Her new duties will include membership on three City Committees, including the Hotel/Motel Committee, the Ordinance/Public Relations Committee (where she will replace Tony McCombie), and the Contracts and Lease Agreement Committee (where she will replace Merle Long). Fosdick’s term is until April 30th of 2013.

Tuesday’s meeting was attended by Fosdick, Stebbins, and Council members Bill Scott, Bill Robinson, Merle Long, Peg Haffey, Jeff Griswold, Tony McCombie and Lois Hunsaker. Also present were City Clerk Paul Hartman, City Attorney Phil Jensen, and City department heads, including Sheryl Sipe (Treasurer/Comptroller), Michael Moon (Police Chief), Shawn Picolotti (Fire Chief) and John Lindeman (Public Works Superintendent).

Transfer Station Fees Hiked?

Water/Sewer/Refuse/Streets and Alleys Committee Chairman Robinson informed the Council that the Transfer Station is currently operating at a $17,000.00 operation deficit for the last twelve months, and that the two major contributors to the costs of the station are Labor and Disposal. In light of this, the Committee recommended to the Council that the following items be eliminated from the listed of accepted pick up items; electronics, refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, shingles and lath and plaster.

Also proposed was raising the fee for disposal of a long list of items. Under this proposal, disposal of garbage bags would go from one dollar to two dollars, sofas would go from ten dollars to twenty dollars, chairs would go from six dollars to twelve dollars, bathtubs would go from ten dollars to twenty dollars, mattresses and box springs would both go from seven dollars to fourteen dollars, a small pick-up truck load would go from $20.00 to $30.00, a regular pick-up truck load would go from $30.00 to $40.00 and a dump truck/trailer load would go from $100.00 to $150.00.

Also under review is a suggestion to hire a part time person at the station, which according to the Committee would save a few thousand dollars a year.

Robinson also noted that the Committee has elected not to renew its current four year contract with Moring Disposal for the City’s waste removal services. Pursuant to this, Robinson motioned to allow Lindeman to let this work for bids, and the Council approved it unanimously.

The new fee structure for the station, as well as the excluded items list, both effective December 1st of this year, were approved by the Council and now it will need to be put into city code.

Robinson also delivered the Finance Committee report, and told the Council that Finance was recommending approval of a request from the Police Department for a new narrow band radio base, a budgeted item, not to exceed $3,500.00.

The Committee also recommended a year end bonus total of $175.00 for full time City employees. It also recommended a reimbursement amount of $1,000.00 to Gerry Gendreau toward the $4,700.00 cost of demolition for 520 Main Street.

Hartman opened the sole bid for a 580SN Loader/Backhoe, from Miller-Bradford-Reisberg Inc. from Rockford, Illinois, with the total bid coming to $89,400.00. The bid was approved contingent upon Lindeman reviewing and approving all specifications.

Property Matters

Jensen updated the Council that the purchase of 403 Oak Street had been closed, despite a somewhat problematic closure. The cost of the property was exactly $7,000.00 with total costs at $10,968.67.

The sale of 1125 Chicago Avenue to Jo-Carroll Energy should be closed by the next Council meeting, the attorney said.

He also reviewed co-location agreement he’d received from iFiber, and noted some revisions he’d like to make regarding insurance cost review time line and area of jurisdiction.

Final Comments

Griswold inquired what was done with the money left over from last year’s budget for salt, in light of the fact that last year was a warm and fairly dry winter. Lindeman said those funds are to be used for that purpose only, and that the 125 tons of material that wasn’t yet used is still in storage.

McCombie noted some new businesses have opened in town, including Ridge Runners (formerly Chopper’s), D and D Firearms and Absolute Water Solutions, all of which are located on Main Street.

She also stated that area residents have contacted her regarding potentially bringing back the American flags to the city, and noted that those interested have resources to help fund this process.