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A summary of last night's meeting. For the more detailed preview see: City Council Preview - March 16, 2009
The agenda City Council 3/16/09.
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The purchase of a Toyota Camry Hybrid ($23,140) was approved 4-2 (Kugle and Alderman Wiswell opposed). Alders Thomas and Miller, especially led the way. Alder Speight was also outspoken in his support. We could have purchased a Ford Taurus for about $5000 cheaper. Operating and maintenance costs and resale value closed the gap somewhat, but the Taurus would have been a little cheaper. However, the Toyota Hybrid gets 34 mpg compared to 18 mpg for the Taurus.
Sometimes listening is more effective than speaking and this issue seemed like one of those times for me until Alder Kugle painted the supporters of the hybrid as doing it just to 'feel good'. This caused a rise in the umbrage level among at least a couple of us. Buying the hybrid will put fewer pollutants into the air that we all breathe and will use less petroleum products. Pollution emissions have social costs that are real, but are only partially reflected in the price of the car or gasoline.
The Obama Administration recognizes these costs: EPA Proposes First National Reporting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Agenda Item G2d., Purchase Approval of One Police Vehicle.pdf
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The council approved sod over seed as the standard terrace restoration after city street reconstruction projects. 5-1 (Alder Kugle sided with the PW Committee, which he chairs.). The small cost difference, better end product, and reduced erosion and runoff were key factors.
Staff report: Agenda Item G1a., Street and Utility Improvements Terrace Restoration.pdf
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The council approved the previously blogged "Class B" liquor license for Edo Garden. LRC Gives Boost to Edo Japanese Steakhouse. The city clerk and city attorney reviewed the statutes and our current license-holders and determined that BW3's license does not count against our state-imposed quota [see sec. 125.51 (4)(v)]. Thus, the city had two available "Class B" license available, which made it easier to grant the license to Edo's.
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No Parking on Bridge Road near Metropolitan Lane was approved. 6-0. Agenda Item G1b., Amending the Official Traffic Map Concerning No Parking on Bridge Rd.pdf
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Reallocation of Capital Funds for the Purchase of a Plow Truck was approved. Don't recall the vote; 6-0 or 5-1. Agenda Item G1c., Reallocation of Capital Funds for the Purchase of Plow Truck.pdf
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Replacement of 911 and Emergency Dispatch Equipment was tabled to June 1 at the latest. The police chief wants more time to review what the county does with related equipment purchases. Agenda Item G1d., Approval of Replacement of 911 and Emergency Dispatch Equipment.pdf
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The four-year (2008-2011) labor agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local 311 was approved 6-0. Agenda Item G2c., Approving the Terms of Contracts with the International Association of Firefighters Local 311.pdf
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Finally, the council discussed a proposed Two-Hour Parking limit on Metropolitan Lane for a short 42' stretch by Inland Boats. I raised the question why the two-hour limit needs to apply at all times rather than just during regular business hours. Others seemed to agree that the hours could be adjusted. Agenda Item G2f., Amending the Official Traffic Map Concerning 2-Hour Parking on Metropolitan Lane.pdf
That's all I got.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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Did you consider a Ford Fusion hybrid? I'm a car buff and this vehicle has been receiving excellent reviews lately, even above the imports. The domestics have made great strides in recent years bringing their products up to snuff. If you're interested, I can send some links.
ReplyDeleteI like supporting an American company, especially when the products are similar in quality.
The police chief did the research and presented the options. I don't know if he looked at the Fusion or not.
ReplyDeleteThe Camry Hybrid has also received very strong reviews.
According to Edmunds:
"Toyota says in 2007, nearly 80 percent of Camry Hybrids were manufactured at the company’s assembly plant in Georgetown, Ky..."
http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/04/toyota-camry-hybrid-outselling-v6-models.html
How come when you have question time-I have no questions and then when you dno't I have questions.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the status of the leaf and garden waste site? I went there this morning and it said closed due to budget cuts. Is that only on Sunday or for all time? Does the city pick-up leaves in the spring?
I thought about dumping my brush at the gate like the last two guys, but then realized that would rude, stupid and against the law.
One more question-can you run your sump pump water or grey water into the street and dowenthe city sewer system that feeds our lakes. I do not want to "narc", but there are two houses that have me wondering and are in a high traffic area.
I have more questions, but they are just silly.
THANKS!
The city does do a leaf pick up in the spring (April).
ReplyDeleteI thought the yard wast drop off site was open on weekends. I have a question in to the city staff.
Chad and I have also talked about running sump pumps into the street. It is legal at this point.
"I thought about dumping my brush at the gate like the last two guys, but then realized that would rude, stupid and against the law."
ReplyDeleteThe compost site is for yard waste only--not for brush even if you don't dump it at the gate. There is bold signage about this at the site. If you use the dumpsters for brush, Anonymous, you are being a scofflaw. Not following the rules of the "honor system" compost site almost shut the site down in the past--too many people thinking they should be allowed to toss in whatever they want.
Please don't ruin it for the rest of us by leaving your brush there--at all, anywhere.
Brush is conveniently picked up for us every other month, spring through fall. I believe there is a site to take it as well, but I've never needed to do that, so I don't know where it is.
Good catch; that site is NOT for brush.
ReplyDelete""I thought about dumping my brush at the gate like the last two guys, but then realized that would rude, stupid and against the law."
ReplyDelete"
OK, I used the wrong term. It was yard clippings and leaves. The sign said CLOSE due to city budget cuts.
Please remove your underwear and slowdown.
I went down and looked at the yard waste site. It has not yet opened for the season.
ReplyDeleteI know we have talked about closing it entirely, but honestly cannot recall what we did right now. As I say, I have an inquiry in to our staff about its status.
Doug-
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Sump water and gray water are not at all the same things. The best place for the sump water is into the lakes as this is groundwater and groundwater in Monona flows in and out of Lake Monona. So we are simply returning it from whence it came, hydrologically speaking. It IS illegal to pump it into the sanitary sewer, and for very good reasons. For various reasons, some of us cannot pump it into our back yards. And, at the risk of being a little snarky here, it really sucks to have water problems in your basement, and the last thing we need is the city or some busybody hassling us about returning water directly back to the watershed from whence it came.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the yard wast facility, I got this from city engineer Rich Vela:
ReplyDeleteThe yard waste facility typically is open for operation beginning on the first weekend in April. This year, the dumpsters will be in place beginning April 3rd. The facility will be available for use 24/7.
"And, at the risk of being a little snarky here, it really sucks to have water problems in your basement, and the last thing we need is the city or some busybody hassling us about returning water directly back to the watershed from whence it came."
ReplyDeleteI really was not meaning to be a busybody. I was meaning to be someone who was curious and did not understand. If I wanted to be a busybody I would called the city-
I had just found it curious and wonder what it was all about. I really have not axe to grind and wish you and your basement all the best.