Bloomfield City Council Postpones Sewer Project

Johnson Sewer Services estimate that it will cost $25,000 to line the pipes from Bazille Street to the highway in the alley behind the bakery. This rough estimate has not been set in stone. Colette Panning the City Administrator and city workers say this project can be held off until all the lines have been checked. They think it is a better idea to see if more pipes need new lining, this way all pipes could be done at once, hopefully saving money in the process.


According to city worker, Bret Geiselman, the city is halfway through its contract with Johnson Sewer Services and they will be back next year to check more lines. Geiselman also stated the lines that have not been checked yet haven’t been causing any issues but he questions how long it will stay that way.


Panning suggested having Johnson Sewer Services proceed in checking all the lines next year and as long as there is no damage that needs to be addressed right away, she hopes to take care of all the pipes the following year. This way, budgeting can be properly made for the repairs and money can be saved by repairing all damaged pipes at once.


RESOLUTION 18-9
The property of 306 South Randolph has recently been turned over to the city. City council members agreed to transfer the title to Bill and Konnie Thiele with conditions of cleaning and maintaining the property.  


SURPLUS
The city staff plan to go through their shop and make a list of unneeded items to sell at a future surplus sale.


TREES ON STREETS
Trees that hang over streets are starting to become a problem. The City Ordinance currently states that tree branches cannot hang below 7 feet off the ground, where other towns have a minimum of 10 or 12 feet so larger vehicles can make it through unscathed. Everyone agreed that changing the heights is a good idea.


FIRE HALL GARAGE DOORS
Michael Schainost brought up the well aged garage doors at Fire Hall and how even after being replaced time after time the doors seem to need replacing. Councilman Scott Ober agreed this has gotten to be a problem.


According to Schainost, there is new technology for garage doors to cut down response times by being able to open the garage doors once a call is made so the doors are open and ready to go by the time firefighters are.


Ober stated that according to the Rural Fire Board it is the city’s building so any replacing needs to be done by the city.

Councilman Steve Barney said this project probably could be delayed as there isn’t room in the budget currently and the firemen can get by with the doors. Panning suggested aiming to collaborate with the Rural Fire Board by asking them to pay a portion.


SNOW REMOVAL
Panning mentioned that she would like to get together with city workers to execute a snow removal plan, what will be removed first, where it will go, etc.


The condition of the trucks was questioned and it was agreed that some new equipment will need to be purchased in the coming years.


COMMUNITY CENTER
Councilman Brad Eckmann brought up the condition of the exhaust fan in the Community Center. Panning informed everyone that the motor was shot and has already been replaced but no improvement had come out of the repair.


Mayor Phil Schroeder stated maybe a hood was needed. Ober offered to donate an extra hood he has in storage.