Firefighter, water contracts before council

The Harrisburg City Council discussed a pre-employment contract for firefighters and an extension of the contract for water to American Coal during Thursday's regular meeting.

Fire Chief John Gunning addressed the council on the topic of pre-employment contracts for new firefighters. Gunning stated that he had studied the matter of the cost to the city of training and equipping new hires in the fire department.

After research on the topic, Gunning recommended that the council pass an ordinance requiring newly hired firefighters to reimburse the city for the cost of training and equipment in the event that the new hire terminated or was terminated from employment with the department before 36 months of employment had elapsed. Gunning stated that the costs of training, meals and lodging during training and the costs of equipment and uniforms would be lost if the city trained a perspective firefighter and then saw the new hire leave city employment or fail to pass the training course.

"Often a new firefighter has applications in with several departments," Gunning said. "If we pay for the cost of training and equipment, we could lose that investment if the person chose employment with another department."

The council approved this measure and new contracts for firefighters will reflect the new policy.

The council heard from city attorney Todd Bittle and Jim Brown of Brown and Roberts on the topic of a new contract with American Coal for supply of water from Harrisburg Lake to the company's facility at Galatia. American Coal has asked to enter into a new 20-year contract with the city with the option to renew for another 20 years at the end of the contract. The old contract was a 40-year contract which has some 8 to 9 years left to run.

The new contract would allow American Coal to draw up to 80 million gallons a month from the lake to be used to process coal at their Galatia mine. Discussion centered around possibility of contract termination by the city, increase in rate or cost of the water and potential impact on the lake. The council learned that the city could not terminate the contract but could increase the cost of the water supply and that harmful impact on the lake was unlikely. The council voted to table the matter and instructed the water department and Brown and Roberts to evaluate the situation and report back to the council. Mayor Dale Fowler stated that the city received good revenue from the sale of water to American Coal.

The council heard from Jim Brown of Brown and Roberts as to a proposal concerning soil contamination on the site of an old gas station located at 100 S. Commercial St. in Harrisburg. Briefly put, Chase Environmental Group, a waste management and remediation service acting for the property owners, has asked that the city to pass ordinances which would make the city responsible for control of the contaminated soil and protection of workers from hazardous material, in the event of any excavation on or near the site. Since the city has authority for the adjacent Church Street right of way, it is possible that the city in the future may have to conduct excavation related to water and sewer or street repair.

The council reacted in a negative manner as to accepting the proposal, discussion centering on possible cost to the city and the need for the ordinances.

"We may very well have to do work in that area in the future," said Commissioner Ron Fearheiley. "We would be out of a lot of money if we passed these proposed ordinances. I don't think we need to act on this until we know more about the subject."

"It sounds to me like they are telling Harrisburg what to do," said Commissioner John McPeek.

The council tabled action on the matter.

The council also heard from Brown on the possibility of funding being available to allow a "Buy Out" of some 40 homes and six businesses located in the West Harrisburg Drainage Area. This area, around North Jackson Street, is routinely prone to flooding and Brown informed the council that funding through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency from the Federal Emergency Management Agency could be available to allow the city to purchase the properties and allow the residents and businesses to relocate, thus alleviating for the city continuing concern and difficulty related to seasonal flooding. The council responded in a positive manner to this information and directed Brown to proceed with investigating the availability of funding.

The council heard from Water Department Superintendent Kelly Hefner as to the need to replace a structure built to secure the wall of the county drainage ditch at Sloan Street. Hefner told the council that the retaining wall had been constructed some 20 years ago and was in need of replacement.

"This is something we will need to address in the next couple of years," Hefner said. "I think it will make it through another year, if it's a dry one, but I would like Brown and Roberts to look at it and give us their report on the matter."

The council directed that Brown and Roberts survey the site and report their findings to the council.

In other action the council:

Approved the donation of a used fire truck to Southeastern Illinois College. The council last month voted to put the truck up for sale and has received no bids for it. Fire Chief Gunning contacted SIC and the college expressed a great interest in having the truck to use in their firefighting classes.

Formalized the rental of space in the Harris-Pruett Building for use by the public for events such as birthdays, social meeting and the like. The fee is set at $50 for use along with a refundable $50 deposit. The council will also require renters to fill out a written use contract for each rental. The deposit is refunded if the regulations for use of the space are followed and no damage to the area occurs. For more information on rental, contact the city clerk at (618) 253-7451.

Announced the annual City of Harrisburg Spring Clean Up. The clean up is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 6 through April 17 each day. Residents may bring items to dispose of to the old roundhouse off Veterans Drive and will be required to show proof of residence in Harrisburg. Materials not accepted are household garbage, demolition material (lumber, roofing, etc.), tires, batteries and paint cans. For more information on the clean up contact the Public Property Department at (618) 252-4302 or (618) 252-8038.