Minutes-07/27/2011 (2)

CITY OF TIFFIN SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JULY 27, 2011 6: 30 p. m. SPRINGMEIR COMMUNITY LIBRARY CCA MIDDLE SCHOOL TIFFIN, IOWA rt The Tiffin City Council met in special session on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at the Springmier Community Library in Tiffin, Iowa. Mayor Phillips called the meeting to order at 6: 30 p. m. Members present: Bartels, Peterson and Weipert. Absent: Ball and Geircke. Also present Brett Mehmen, public works director. Motion Peterson second Weipert to approve the agenda. Carried unanimously. Ireland Avenue Tiee Removal Proiect Mayor Phillips made council aware of the following concerns with the Tree Removal for Ireland Avenue Extension Project: some contractors who bid are not registered with the Iowa State Workforce Development, it will take 45 days for utility companies to trim the branches from the power lines, and the city just became aware of a requirement for an inspection for Indiana bats if 15th. tree trimming is done prior to September He also reported that the low bidder is not registered as a contractor with the state. For these reasons, the mayor stated that he is not exactly sure how to proceed. Public works director Mehmen stated that he thought it would be easier if the houses were removed or demolished prior to the tree removal. Mehmen also stated it would be cheaper to burn the houses, rather than remove them. Phillips stated that the council has not yet made a determination about how to demolish or remove those structures which interfere with the Ireland Avenue Project. Peterson asked Bevans if he had a problem with the proposal. Christina Bevans stated that the timing for bids was unacceptable because the clerk was out of the office and could not answer inquiries about the specifications and the public works director did not know how to answer questions. Shay Bevans stated that he did not understand the stump removal requirements and it would be costly to grind and remove and replace: with black dirt. Mehmen stated that he talked to Bevans about this issue. Peterson suggested that if the council postponed its decision, Bevans would have a better idea of how to prepare his bid. Peterson read aloud the specifications concerning the stump removal and removal of bushes at each site. Christina Bevans stated that the map of trees in the proposal is not accurate and several portions of the specifications were not clear. Peterson asked Bevans what he wanted the council to do. Bevans stated that it is up to the council, and he knew he bid it high because he was unsure about some things in the specifications.