NEWS ARCHIVE

(Clinton) -- Ammendments approved on a split vote make burning regulations stricter-including banning burn barrels and banning leaf & yard waste burning

An ordinance intended to put more regulations on open burning was amended on split votes by the Clinton City Council to put in place stricter regulations.

The ordinance was adopted at the first reading after three amendments were approved on four to three votes.

The plan proposed would have put some limits on burning leaves and yard waste and other open fires. The amendments proposed by councilmember Mike Kearney would ban burn barrels – limit ‘recreational burns from 10 A-M to 10 P-M and ban the burn of leaves and other yard waste. Those proposals were supported by council members Charlie Mullholland, Bev Herman and Jennifer Graf along with Kearney.

Council member Mark Vulich, who served on the committee developing the proposal was surprised by the amendments and said they go against the committee recommendations. After each amendment was proposed, Vulich attempted to table the bill for more committee work – but that was also defeated 4 to 3.

The ordinance, as amended, was approved on the first reading by that same split 4 to 3 vote

In other action the council did award the bid for the construction of new waste water treatment plant to Gridor Construction for 37-and-a-half million dollars which was about 15 percent below the estimates. Consulting engineer Dave Dechant of H and R Engineering said they have reviewed the bids and met with the contractor about the project and are recommending acceptance.

Councilmember Jennifer Graf commented that although she realized it was the contractor’s choice-she hoped they would use as much local labor as possible and union labor. Plus she hoped there would not be further cost adjustments.

The engineer commented that with eleven bids for the project, that was the most he could remember for any project he has been involved with and that was a sign of a competitive bidding environment

The council pulled the action to continue on process to renew a downtown self supporting municipal improvement district. A petition in opposition has been submitted by other property owners who want a different setup than the Chamber of Commerce administered program.

Written 3/10/2010 by Dave Vickers - KROS News

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