The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Friday, February 9, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. with Mayor Amy Thomas presiding. Board members present were Lisa Farmer, Kelley Herron, Kory Paris, and Raechel Schoonover. Also present were City Clerk Emily Schulte, Lead Laborer Jarod Hudson, and Laborer Dennis Sherlock.
Mayor Amy Thomas called the meeting to order.
Meeting Agenda
The meeting agenda was approved.
Park Board – ARPA Fund Request
A quote for a piece of play-ground equipment was presented on behalf of the Park Board in the amount of $29,455.00. They are requesting the use of ARPA funds to purchase the item. They are also still interested in purchasing picnic tables and trash cans with the funds.
Several alternative pieces of playground equipment were discussed by board members and staff present that were considerably cheaper and were thought to offer more features. They were given to Paris as the Park Board liaison to suggest board’s members consideration.
The aldermen voted unanimously to approve up to $30,000.00 of ARPA funds to be allocated by the Park Board within the next 60 days for playground equipment, picnic tables, and trash can purchases.
Board members stated any purchases will be the Park Board’s responsibility to ensure are compliant with MIRMA as well as ARPA and spending is to be coordinated with the City Clerk.
FBLA – Proclamation Request
Board members voted to approve Mayor Thomas signing the 2024 FBLA Week Proclamation.
Liquor License Application – River Rock Lanes
The application for an additional liquor license was submitted by River Rock Lanes for Sunday by Drink. Their state license accompanied the application. Farmer moved to approve the liquor license application for River Rock Lanes. Paris seconded. Farmer, Herron, and Paris voted aye. Schoonover abstained.
Establishment of Hiring Committee
Mayor Thomas believes Alderman Herron should spearhead the committee which should bring a recommendation back for the board’s approval. The committee cannot contain more than two board members, as that would constitute a quorum.
The establishment of a hiring committee and with Herron and Schoonover as the Board of Aldermen representatives was unanimously approved.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Hudson relayed that DNR requires the city choose the lowest bid, unless we choose to opt for attorney involvement. He relayed staff finds the lowest bidder to be capable of performing the work.
The aldermen voted to approve the bid from Total H2O Solutions for the lead service line inventory project.
Bucket Truck
It was discovered the bid process for a new bucket truck had previously been started when staff received a call last week informing them of the timeline for a truck build. This expenditure had not previously been considered within the current budget.
The utility can cancel this build at no cost; however, if the same process were to be restarted now, the city would be three years out from the delivery of a new truck. There are concerns the current truck does not have the remaining life expectancy to withstand that timeframe. With this build, early 2025 is the estimated delivery date.
It was requested that the board consider moving forward with this purchase from Altec for $213,707.00. Staff recommends using the combination of the scrap fund, potential sales of items no longer utilized within the light plant, and the reallocation of 2024 budgeted funds for a metering project and equipment purchases to fund the unbudgeted expenditure.
Board members agreed truck replacement should be a priority for our electrical system. The quote did not seem out of line, and it was recognized that prices for new trucks will only go up.
The aldermen voted unanimously to move forward with executing the Altec Industries quote of $213,707.00 for a new bucket truck.
The meeting was then adjourned.
