Asbestos concerns in Dragon Garden demolition
The Harrisburg city council discussed a delay in the demolition of the Dragon Garden Restaurant property and the sale of a city fire truck during Thursday night's regular meeting.
The council heard a report from the firm of Brown and Roberts as to a delay that has arisen in the demolition of the Dragon Garden Restaurant property on the east side of the city. At the council meeting in the first part of the month, the council approved demolition of the site and bids were let on the work. One contractor bidding expressed concerns about the possibility of asbestos being present in the building. After discussion, the council voted to reject the current bids and directed Brown and Roberts to conduct an asbestos evaluation and report back on their findings. Based on the results of this report, bids will once again be let for demolition.
The council then heard from Alene Carr of the Southeastern Illinois Regional Planning as to the need to allow amendments to expand the boundaries of the enterprise zone. Carr told the council that several businesses have expressed an interest in locating in Harrisburg on properties covered by the enterprise zone agreements. Accordingly, all members of the enterprise zone must agree and pass the required amendments. The council unanimously voted in favor of this action.
The council declined the offer of a donation of a piece of property to the city. This property, which consists mainly of an L-shaped retention pond, is located behind the strip mall adjacent to Walmart. After discussion and the general consensus of the council being that the property was of no use to the city and would be a drain of manpower to maintain, the council declined the offer.
Harrisburg Fire Chief John Gunning addressed the board on two topics. First, Gunning discussed with the board the possibility of Harrisburg joining the MABAS or Mutual Aid Box Alarm System. This is a state-wide mutual aid system of firefighters and specialized rescue and hazardous material teams. Gunning explained to the council that this would be of great benefit Harrisburg in the event of a major natural disaster or hazardous material incident.
"It would allow us to have access to resources that are currently unavailable to us," Gunning said. "We just issue a box alarm and get the help."
Gunning explained that the teams that respond would be under the direction of Harrisburg, stay as long as needed and Illinois Emergency Management Agency and other state funds would reimburse Harrisburg for all costs accrued by the teams while they were assisting the city. Gunning further stated that the program provides and pays for specialized training for any local firefighter who desires it. The cost of joining is a yearly fee of $175 and the city can opt out at any point. The council enthusiastically voted in favor of joining the MABAS system in another unanimous vote.
Gunning then addressed the board on the topic of the sale of a used city pumper truck. The pumper in question is a 1970 American LaFrance which the city no longer uses. The pumper no longer meets pumping capacity certification and is currently being stored in a city garage. After discussion as to whether any items such as hoses or ladders could be salvaged from the vehicle and if it could be upgraded by a purchaser to meet pumping certification, the council voted to advertise for bids and sell the truck.
The council expressed its appreciation to the city Street and Alley crew for the quick and efficient removal of snow from city streets after the recent heavy snowfall. Mayor Dale Fowler stated that he had received several statements of appreciation from citizens for the snow clean-up.
In other action the council voted to reappoint Mike Williams to the police pension board. Williams new, two year term will run until May of 2017. The council expressed its confidence in Williams's abilities on the board.