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Published: December 03, 2008 12:00 pm
City may update warning siren system
By JESSE DAVIS
jesse.davis@goshennews.com
Goshen’s outdoor warning sirens, primarily used for warning the populace of tornadoes, is in notable disrepair.
A request for assistance suggesting possible repair and replacement solutions was presented to City Council members at their meeting Tuesday night. According to the presentation, issues with rusting control panels, a lack of water-tight exterior connectors and a push to upgrade from analog to digital control were among the reasons given for the upkeep.
Three potential replacement options were detailed. The cost for the highest tier of replacement, including reconstruction of the 10 existing sites, the installation of eight additional sites, a new control center and new software, was estimated at $284,764. The second tier includes only four additional sites plus the reconstruction’s, control center and software at an estimated cost of $184,720. The bottom tier includes no new sites at a cost of $110,500.
The council discussed the suggestions, and more research into funding and cost savings will be pursued.
Zoning board
Also considered at the meeting was the re-appointment of Angela McKenna to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Council member Tom Stump nominated Donald Riegsecker, brother of council member Darryl Riegsecker, for the position as a representative of the business community.
Riegsecker, who is employed as a financial advisor at Goshen Community Bank, was chosen by a vote of four to two, with council members Julia Gautsche and Jeremy Stutsman voting for McKenna.
Public hearing
A public hearing was held regarding a $60,000 increase to the Community Development Block Grant fund. According to the amendment, $25,000 would be added for costs associated with Phase I of the Crescent Street reconstruction project.
The remaining $35,000 would be expended on owner-occupied rehabilitation of homes occupied by low and moderate income households through loans, grants and deferred payment loans city-wide, the amendment said.
No members of the public spoke on the amendment, which will be voted on at a later date.
Fee eliminated
Council members voted to eliminate the $27.50 fee charged for the temporary placement of banner or pennant signs after much discussion. An earlier motion to drop the proposal and continue charging the fee to anyone applying for the use of such a sign failed by a vote of 4-3, with the tiebreaking vote cast by Mayor Allen Kauffman.
The original proposed amendment would have eliminated the fee only for nonprofit organizations.
Other business
Approval was given to $11,300 in fund transfers within the clerk-treasurer and city court lines of the general fund. A total of $8,400 was moved to allow for a storage space setup for record keeping in the clerk-treasurer’s office. The remaining $2,900 was transferred due to a previous administration failing to include employee increment pay for certain employees in the 2008 budget.
The council also voted to extend the deadline for certain commercial users who prepare or sell food to install grease, oil and sand interceptors. The original deadline fell on Jan. 25, 2009. The amended deadline is Dec. 31, 2009.
An extra council meeting will be held Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Police and Courts Building.
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