Peabody council reviews contract for next water project
Council members carefully examined a proposed contract between the city of Peabody and Rural Water District #5 at the regular Peabody city council meeting Monday night. The city has closed out its grant for the water project with Hillsboro and plans to sell water to a group of smaller communities known collectively as Rural Water District #5.
City clerk, Cindy Harms had received a revised copy from the city attorney and council members were apprised of the changes.
Councilman Dallke wanted further clarification on one item of the contract which seemed to indicate that the city of Peabody might be responsible for valves, meters, and additional construction costs.
"As I recall," said Dallke, "We were to pay only for the pipe on this project, with all other costs assessed to Rural Water #5."
The rest of the council agreed that the contract was vaguely worded and instructed Harms to return it to the city attorney with the council's concerns. The council will go over the contract at a special meeting on Feb. 4th when Al Reiss, Dale Yeager, and members of the Rural Water District #5 will be in attendance to discuss the project.
Jeff Pohlman updated the council on the plan to purchase a repeater for the city that would satisfy both the city and the Marion County Communication Advisory Board.
Pohlman said the board is considering several options and no firm decision has been made as to what the other communities will be using. No action was taken and Pohlman will return to a future meeting with more information from the advisory board and area communities.
Pohlman went over the police department's 2001 statistics with council members. He noted that the total crime case load has risen in the last two years. There were 165 cases in Peabody in 1999, 225 in 2000, and 286 in 2001.
He added that much of the increase was drug related and that burglary and robbery cases had decreased. Polhman attributed the decrease to more visibility of the police officers on duty. "Also," he added, "The officers are well prepared when they have to go into court. The case load is heavier because the police effort is genuine and they are working harder to achieve convictions. We only lost one case last year that went to trial. I know I can count on them to be well-prepared for court."
Pohlman also discussed perception problems concerning his police officers. No conclusion was reached, but at the suggestion of councilman Dallke, the group agreed to go over the department budget, concerns, and direction at a special meeting on Feb. 18.
Muriel Wolfersperger and Alan Yock, members of the Peabody Community Living Center board of directors, were present to update the council on the progress with the sale of PCLC. Although no closing date has been set, Yock said he hoped the transfer would take place around the first of March.
The city's health insurance was discussed. Harms told the council that the rates would be increasing 14% Feb. 1st. After discussion, the council agreed to pay the increase for 2002, but look at alternatives before time to renew next year.
In other business the council agreed to participate in the Fireman's Relief Fund, heard from Harms that she is identifying nuisance properties, approved the purchase of a grate to replace a broken one in front of the fire department, and approved the purchase of additional equipment for fire fighters.
A leak at the Peabody water tower was repaired by Eatherly construction, the council was told.
The resignation of Nelson Patton was accepted with regret and the mayor asked that members of the community be reminded to appear at the Feb. 11th council meeting if they have an interest in serving as a council member. The decision will be made Feb. 18th and the new member will be sworn in and seated at the meeting on the 25th.
