By James B. Bartle
The Sullivan City Council met in open session on Tuesday night, July 7, covering a number of issues in a very short agenda. The meeting, which began at 7 p.m., concluded at 7:35 p.m.
The council approved a request and petition from Temple Baptist Church for a temporary street closing on Thursday evening, July 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The church asked that Beeman St. be closed, from Orchard St. to South Mansion, for a Vacation Bible School Block Party. Alderman Jarrett Dace presented a motion to approve the request which was seconded by Alderman Mike Ryan, and approved unanimously.
Mark Gerlick and Dennis Nicholson of CWI Solid Waste Services appeared before the council as a courtesy visit to review the city’s satisfaction with their trash service and inquire about the 2010 contract, which will come up for bid after five years of service with CWI.
The council indicated no complaints with the CWI service but felt that, with any service, once a contract is expired the city must rebid for another contract and they welcomed CWI to bid once again on the service.
City administrator Mark Falloon presented his report to the council with the first item being the bulk salt bids in a joint effort with Franklin County and surrounding communities. Falloon stated that the bid for the Sullivan portion of the contract was 1,500 tons of salt at a cost of $87,510 from Cargill, North Olmsted, OH.
Mayor J.T. Hardy stated that he noticed several other communities ordering less salt than Sullivan and wanted the city residents to know that Sullivan is one of the few communities that does provide snow removal service and salting on secondary streets.
Falloon stated that, although the city has 1,500 tons ordered, it doesn’t mean that they will purchase all of it, but it’s nice to have it there if needed.
The council approved the purchase, unanimously, with motions by aldermen Jarrett Dace and Michael Lohden.
The council approved a dri-prime pump for the water and sewer department at a cost of $28,956 from Vandevanter Engineering, St. Louis. Four bids were received with Vandevanter presenting the lowest bid.
The council also approved the purchase of 2,500 ft. reels of 15 KV underground cable from Harry Cooper Supply, Springfield, in the amount of $19,110.01. Four bids were received for this product including a bid from Butler Supply, Sullivan, for $29,925.
Falloon concluded his report by informing the council that the open house at the new wastewater treatment plant will be Sat., July 18 at 10 a.m. The lighting for Highway D and Sappington Bridge Rd. intersections has been installed and the Delta Regional Authority Grant for lighting along Highway D has been deemed eligible for the grant and moving forward.
City engineer Robert Schaffer provided a brief report to the council, highlighting that the Elmont Rd. project came  in under budget by eight percent. The project was estimated at $740,171 with the bid from Don Maggi Construction at $719,038 and the final cost at $674,964.
Other quick updates by Schaffer were: Bud St. storm water project design, 97 percent complete; Vine St. project water line upgrade figures still being totaled; Springfield Rd. Phase two easements have all been received and final design can begin.
Alderman Lohden was appointed to review the monthly bills for July.
The council commented that they received some complaints from the baseball leagues about bleachers not at the ballparks during the fair.
Mayor J.T. Hardy stated that he received some complaints regarding large trucks parking on commercial lots. He stated that an ordinance may be drafted to make this a misdemeanor and requested property owners concerned with this issue should post a sign on their lots for no parking of large trucks.
Hardy also stated that the Utility Ad Hoc Committee is working on possible changes to water rates and then would be forwarded to Administrator Falloon.
The council had no further business and no closed session material.