By EMILY SCHENDEL
The Fennimore City Council met last Thursday for a special meeting, replacing their regular bi-weekly meeting. The meeting which was originally scheduled to take place on the following Monday was moved to accommodate the council members for the Do it 4 Derek activities in town.
The council was joined by Chief of Police Chris French and Deputy Josh Lund during the meeting.
In French’s monthly report to the council, he shared that the department remains busy with juvenile matters, drug investigations, impaired driving arrests, warrants, family disturbances and other complaints.
He also noted that the department was forced to give up 16 hours of a HVE overtime grant due to an inability to fill shifts.
Additionally, French announced that the officer liaison program with the Fennimore Area Schools and Southwest Wisconsin Technical College has ended.
“The liaison program has been shuttered,” French told the council. “SWTC said they plan to make other arrangements. To be completely honest, it’s (the program ending) a disappointment.”
French addressed the excessive amounts of overtime that he and his officers have been taking on.
“We are working a lot of overtime,” French said. “We all like to work a little OT every now and again but we’d all like to have some days off. We’d like to be able to pick our days off. A way to fix it would be to have another full time officer.”
French told the council that if there was to be a full time position available, he believes with confidence that it would be filled quickly.
Complications also arose for the department with their video systems. French noted in his report that they received notice that the manufacturer will no longer make parts for the in-squad video systems (which are currently about five years old). Limited repairs and support will be available.
“We will probably have to purchase a different system for the next squad build,” French reported. “This will cost $5,000-$10,000 depending on hardware/software set up. It would be most efficient to have a system which integrates body camera and squad camera into one software and storage system.”
The council heard once again about well #4. Representatives from Cahoy Well and Pump Service attended the meeting to give the council a better idea of what they were facing.
The representatives explained to the council that they had a couple of options going forward. They could stick with something similar to what they have now with a motor on top with a oil lubricated drive shaft, which would include “A whole lot of pieces needing replaced,” for around $92,000 or a water lubricated option for $89,000 or a submersible pump for around $61,000.
The representatives explained that the oil lubricated pump they have now discharged oil throughout the years. It is somewhat expected, and will always float to the top. However, as the representative noted, the oil in well #4 had was with in 10 feet of the water being pumped. He also noted that the oil contributed to the bacteria sludge which was “slubbing off so fast, we lost the light on the camera,” the representative noted.
The representatives from Cahoy explained that the benefits aside from cost, with going with the submersible, were great. The longevity of the product was the same as the other pumps but it was also a much faster turn around time to get it installed or, in the future, repaired if needed.
“A submersible is very, very easy to fix,” the representative told the council. “Even labor to pull a submersible verses a line shaft is cut in half.”
They also advised the board that they would need to go in with a bailer before installing the new pump and remove the oil into 55 gallon drums. From there, because of the bacteria a chemical treatment and scrubbing of the casing would also be done.
“You’ll have a nice clean well when all is said and done,” the representative said.
The grand total for the new pump, the brushing and bailing, disinfecting and epoxy on the pipes came to $100,981 which was approved by the council.
It was noted that $85,000 was budgeted this cycle to complete work on two wells, that would now be used towards work on Well #4. Additionally, Biddick noted that there would be money from the Capital Project Fund that can be moved to pay for the work.
Mayor Ryan Boebel took a moment to present the council with the resignation of the Director of Public Works Dennis Biddick.
“Dennis has been with us a little over six years, and a lot has happened,” Boebel said. “The pool, the wastewater plant, the TIF, the solar farm, a lot of things people may not see. I just personally want to thank Dennis without getting too sappy!”
Biddick shared that he would be going to work as an Engineer with the City of Baraboo.
“It’s been a good six and a half years,” Biddick said. “I’ve enjoyed working with everyone. I’m looking forward to the next, and hopefully last chapter of my career.”
Clerk-Treasurer Debi Heisner shared in her report that the city has been receiving calls from people who had ordered smaller totes and received larger ones. There were some that ordered past the deadline and some who were on time.
“We have delivered and given out all the smaller totes we have left,” Heisner noted in her report. “It was our understanding that we would have extra totes because there was a minimum we had to order. We now know that they ordered just what was on the list. What do we do to accommodate the people who requested them on time but were not given the correct size totes?”
After some discussion, the council decided to contact Doug Enke and see if they can order a half dozen of each of the smaller sizes for the people who requested smaller ones, but did not receive them.
Hesiner also noted that the Open Book/Board of Review has had to be postponed. The assessor has found some issues with building permits from 2017 that were not accounted for and he would like to be able to get additions and corrections made. He is hoping for August or September dates, but nothing has been finalized yet.
Finally, at the end of open session the council filled the open seat when Courtney Sheckler stepped up for the position. Sheckler is a 2012 graduate of Fennimore High School who works for the City of Lancaster.
In other council news:
•Heisner shared that the computer system server needs replacement. She noted that she has asked for two estimates/quotes on replacement and so far has only received one. The server is crashing at least once a day or several times a day.
•Linda Parrish continues to seek ideas for the 100th anniversary celebration.
Director of Public Works Dennis Biddick shared in his report that work on the treatment plant progresses.
“Gridor is working on punch list items and other site work,” Biddick reported. “Just finishing up with the storm sewer. Larger items of road construction, retaining walls, curb and gutter, asphalt paving and landscaping are left to tackle.”
The Fennimore City Council met last Thursday for a special meeting, replacing their regular bi-weekly meeting. The meeting which was originally scheduled to take place on the following Monday was moved to accommodate the council members for the Do it 4 Derek activities in town.
The council was joined by Chief of Police Chris French and Deputy Josh Lund during the meeting.
In French’s monthly report to the council, he shared that the department remains busy with juvenile matters, drug investigations, impaired driving arrests, warrants, family disturbances and other complaints.
He also noted that the department was forced to give up 16 hours of a HVE overtime grant due to an inability to fill shifts.
Additionally, French announced that the officer liaison program with the Fennimore Area Schools and Southwest Wisconsin Technical College has ended.
“The liaison program has been shuttered,” French told the council. “SWTC said they plan to make other arrangements. To be completely honest, it’s (the program ending) a disappointment.”
French addressed the excessive amounts of overtime that he and his officers have been taking on.
“We are working a lot of overtime,” French said. “We all like to work a little OT every now and again but we’d all like to have some days off. We’d like to be able to pick our days off. A way to fix it would be to have another full time officer.”
French told the council that if there was to be a full time position available, he believes with confidence that it would be filled quickly.
Complications also arose for the department with their video systems. French noted in his report that they received notice that the manufacturer will no longer make parts for the in-squad video systems (which are currently about five years old). Limited repairs and support will be available.
“We will probably have to purchase a different system for the next squad build,” French reported. “This will cost $5,000-$10,000 depending on hardware/software set up. It would be most efficient to have a system which integrates body camera and squad camera into one software and storage system.”
The council heard once again about well #4. Representatives from Cahoy Well and Pump Service attended the meeting to give the council a better idea of what they were facing.
The representatives explained to the council that they had a couple of options going forward. They could stick with something similar to what they have now with a motor on top with a oil lubricated drive shaft, which would include “A whole lot of pieces needing replaced,” for around $92,000 or a water lubricated option for $89,000 or a submersible pump for around $61,000.
The representatives explained that the oil lubricated pump they have now discharged oil throughout the years. It is somewhat expected, and will always float to the top. However, as the representative noted, the oil in well #4 had was with in 10 feet of the water being pumped. He also noted that the oil contributed to the bacteria sludge which was “slubbing off so fast, we lost the light on the camera,” the representative noted.
The representatives from Cahoy explained that the benefits aside from cost, with going with the submersible, were great. The longevity of the product was the same as the other pumps but it was also a much faster turn around time to get it installed or, in the future, repaired if needed.
“A submersible is very, very easy to fix,” the representative told the council. “Even labor to pull a submersible verses a line shaft is cut in half.”
They also advised the board that they would need to go in with a bailer before installing the new pump and remove the oil into 55 gallon drums. From there, because of the bacteria a chemical treatment and scrubbing of the casing would also be done.
“You’ll have a nice clean well when all is said and done,” the representative said.
The grand total for the new pump, the brushing and bailing, disinfecting and epoxy on the pipes came to $100,981 which was approved by the council.
It was noted that $85,000 was budgeted this cycle to complete work on two wells, that would now be used towards work on Well #4. Additionally, Biddick noted that there would be money from the Capital Project Fund that can be moved to pay for the work.
Mayor Ryan Boebel took a moment to present the council with the resignation of the Director of Public Works Dennis Biddick.
“Dennis has been with us a little over six years, and a lot has happened,” Boebel said. “The pool, the wastewater plant, the TIF, the solar farm, a lot of things people may not see. I just personally want to thank Dennis without getting too sappy!”
Biddick shared that he would be going to work as an Engineer with the City of Baraboo.
“It’s been a good six and a half years,” Biddick said. “I’ve enjoyed working with everyone. I’m looking forward to the next, and hopefully last chapter of my career.”
Clerk-Treasurer Debi Heisner shared in her report that the city has been receiving calls from people who had ordered smaller totes and received larger ones. There were some that ordered past the deadline and some who were on time.
“We have delivered and given out all the smaller totes we have left,” Heisner noted in her report. “It was our understanding that we would have extra totes because there was a minimum we had to order. We now know that they ordered just what was on the list. What do we do to accommodate the people who requested them on time but were not given the correct size totes?”
After some discussion, the council decided to contact Doug Enke and see if they can order a half dozen of each of the smaller sizes for the people who requested smaller ones, but did not receive them.
Hesiner also noted that the Open Book/Board of Review has had to be postponed. The assessor has found some issues with building permits from 2017 that were not accounted for and he would like to be able to get additions and corrections made. He is hoping for August or September dates, but nothing has been finalized yet.
Finally, at the end of open session the council filled the open seat when Courtney Sheckler stepped up for the position. Sheckler is a 2012 graduate of Fennimore High School who works for the City of Lancaster.
In other council news:
•Heisner shared that the computer system server needs replacement. She noted that she has asked for two estimates/quotes on replacement and so far has only received one. The server is crashing at least once a day or several times a day.
•Linda Parrish continues to seek ideas for the 100th anniversary celebration.
Director of Public Works Dennis Biddick shared in his report that work on the treatment plant progresses.
“Gridor is working on punch list items and other site work,” Biddick reported. “Just finishing up with the storm sewer. Larger items of road construction, retaining walls, curb and gutter, asphalt paving and landscaping are left to tackle.”
