HomeMy WebLinkAboutBPW-07-26-82MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
JULY 26, 1982
The meeting of the Board of Public Works was called to order by Mayor
Reiman at 4:30 P.M. on July 26, 1982. Board members present were Fred
Swift, Billy Walker, Mayor Reiman and City Attorney, Dave Coots.
Cynthia Graf was present representing the Clerk-Treasurer.
Mayor Reiman made a motion to approve the minutes of May 19, June 14,
June 18, July 7 and July 12. Motion seconded by Mr. Swift and passed
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Reiman stated that the appointment for the new Fire Chief,
Stephen A. Couts, has been announced and that a motion is not
necessary, that it is only for the record, and becomes effective July
27, 1982.
Permission to Fill Vacancy in Fire Department - Fire Chief Steve Couts
stated that the department was one man short of forty-two (42) which is
full strength for the department. He would like to fill the vacancy at
the fireman's rank. He said that the department would like to move a
Fireman to Lieutenant, a Lieutenant to Captain, and a Captain to
Assistant Chief, through a series of internal promotions.
Mayor Reiman stated that if the department plans to move men up to the
rank of Assistant Chief, Captain, and Lieutenant, an executive session
is needed first. Fred Swift made a motion to fill the vacancy of
fireman. Mayor Reiman seconded the motion, passed unanimously.
Billy Walker asked questions about the chain of command in the Fire
Department. He feels that being short an officer would not make him
feel insecure, that "to promote just to promote" is to be avoided.
Total structure of the department will be looked into by BPW members
with the Chief to supply an outline of the officers' duties.
Approval of Dispatcher for Department - Chief Couts said this position
was vacated by someone moving up to the regular fire force and that
permission to re-hire was previously given by the Board of Public
Works. The Chief presented the name of Stephen Symser. Mayor Reiman
made a motion to approve the hiring of Symser as dispatcher, passed
unanimously.
Promotion Within Police Department - Billy Walker asked if the person
recommended by Chief Jerry Lowe had been interviewed. The Chief said
all Sergeants had been interviewed, along with investigators, and that
he requests that Robert Smith be moved up to Lieutenant as he feels
Smith is well qualified. Billy Walker made the motion to promote Robert
Smith to Lieutenant, seconded by Fred Swift. Motion passed unanimously.
Fred Swift questioned Chief Lowe about the position left by Smith in
the Police Department. The Chief stated that there are two openings at
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present and those in the ranks will be interviewed. Mayor Reiman stated
that the Board will be meeting in executive session to discuss the
promotions with Chief's Lowe and Couts.
Permission to Hire and Fill Two Vacancies in the Utilities Department -
Jim Dougherty stated the two (2) vacancies occurred in the past week in
the South Treatment Plant. One position is for servicing Lift Stations
and types of waste coming into the system. The other position is for
maintenance and standby lab technician. Billy Walker moved to post
inquiries and to fill the two positions. Mayor Reiman seconded the
motion. Passed unanimously.
Water Tanker Sales Policy - Jim Dougherty feels that the service charge
should be used, the same as a sewer charge. Billy Walker felt that this
is fair. Mayor Reiman added to the motion that the charge is to be
effective July 27, 1982 at 8:00 A.M. Mayor Reiman made the motion and
it passed unanimously. Dave Coots discussed fee statements with the
Mayor. They (customers) must now sign a receipt when water is received.
See Insert #1.
Availability for Carolina Commons - Don Silvey explained the sewer and
water availability for sixty-eight residential lots. It is 20,400
gallons per day each . Mayor Reiman moves for approval for the proposed
Carolina Commons. 68 EDU's and/or 20,400 gallons per day for sewer and
68 EDU's and/or 20,400 gallons per day for water. See insert #2. Passed
unanimously.
Eagle Valley Request - Mayor Reiman opened the discussion with Eagle
Valley Construction Corp. on their request for adjustment to their
contract with a statement that the Board wished to hear their
presentation, but that no formal actions would take place at this
meeting.
Eagle Valley Construction Corp. and their subcontractor, Mole
Construction, for tunnel construction on the North-South Interceptor,
were represented by Mr. Charles Fitzgerald, Robert Andrews, Larry
Relyea and Ray Hoge. Mr. Andrews of the law firm Andrews &Ryan,
representing Mole Construction, was the appointed speaker.
Mr. Andrews opened his presentation referencing his letter to the
Board, which was received in the afternoon prior to the meeting. Mr.
Andrews summarized that the reason for the appearance before the Board
was to request an adjustment to their contract to increase the cost
under a clause commonly referred to as "differing site conditions". He
explained that this clause is included in EPA funded projects to reduce
costs by reducing the risks to contractors due to unknowns. He further
stated that while the contract documents included a disclaimer
provision placing responsibility on the contractor to familiarize
himself with the site conditions, in his opinion, the differing site
condition clause takes precedence and that Mole Construction had a
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Page 3
valid claim, due to conditions encountered which they had not
anticipated at the time of bidding.
Mr. Andrews explained that at the time of bidding, they interpreted the
groundwater identified in the contract documents to be above clay and
not effecting their work. Based upon soils information in the contract
documents and that their subcontractor, Kelly, dewatering had
developed, Mr. Andrews indicated that they had not anticipated the
dewatering or constantly changing soils materials encountered. Mr. Hoge
presented two drawings showing the soils profile anticipated at the
time of bidding and that they had encountered to show the difference.
Mr. Hoge acknowledged that to date they had not found any information
provided at the time of bidding to have been incorrect. Mr. Relyea
asked permission to work three shifts to expedite completion. At the
present they estimate 183 shifts to complete the project. The current
estimated cost over-run was reported estimated at $469,000 per Mr. Hoge
and changing as work progresses.
Assumptions at bidding, alternative methods of preparing change order
and timing of completion were discussed with the Board and the matter
taken under advertising.
Mayor Reiman assured the gentlemen that the City will respond as soon
as possible.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, the same
was adjourned at 6:20 PM.
APPROVED:
JANE A REIMAN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
DOROTHY J HANCOCK, CLERK-TREASURER