There were a couple of folks who commented on the VUB guys that go too some guys home/ property and just sit and talk with him up to about 40- 45 minutes at a time. This is no worse/ different than the 40- 45 minutes lunches I have observed over the past few years also. There is no real supervision of the workers, seems just footloose and fancy free. When the above was noted to Mr. Metz, he replied to them that so and so was a good ol' boy. Apparently is seen to be cutting grass on Pond Run? Some question by them on what happens if he turns his mower over while doing City work? I would be asking what/ how they are paying him now?
Grumbling about 4-5 people at a job site and also the 2-3 running around in trucks. I have said in the past that it seems when no work to be done, the third person is added to a truck to get him out of the VUB complex. The folks are somewhat right on too many at a job site. But we also need to understand that there have to be enough folks to drive all the equipment that shows up to repair/ replace a pipe. When you have 4- 5 pieces of equipment, you have to have 4- 5 people. 3 or 4 to drive and 1-2 to watch them. Standard Government Crew size. NOTE: while all my numbers above may not seem to add up, not all equipment arrives by itself. Some is on trailers and than driven around on site.
What interested me was the comment by one of the anti wells 7 & 8 gang was that the water in those wells was from the Ohio River anyway as it seeps up into that well field through the swamp land owned by the Harpers right close by.
I was talking to one with more smarts on this than me in the past couple of days, and I said the water table was far higher now than when those well were dug. He said that another problem is that when shut down and than restarted, it affects the qualify of other wells in the area too. I thought that was really interesting and his comments on insuring the quality of those wells needed to be addressed.
And than again, some took off on Mr. Fluty. Stated that a couple paid $10K to have work done on their home. Says that the Contractor never started work. Couple to City and were told that he had a permit and there was nothing they could do. Seems that City has obligation to check the quality of work that is "supposed" to be getting done and at that time if nothing happening would have obligation to contact Permit Holder? Person at Town Hall was told they should go to State Agencies for relief too.
Than as was expected, off on JM the meeting went. Question as always was the Risk Assessment to DEP? At that time, Mr. Conley began explaining why he was changed to Tree/ Beautification Committee. It was due to the renovation of the Grand Central Avenue area from 25th to 34th in two projects (later consolidated into one).
As is normal here, Burgess and Nipple were to do the design work. This was a project financed by the FHWA (Federal Highway Agency/ Administration). It is the "StreetScape" that is becoming an ongoing subject in Council Meetings and will rev up later this year or for sure by next year.
Mr. Conley noted that when he was assigned to the program that it was just about ready to go. He says that was not true and not likely to be so until late in 2019 at best. Seems some pretty long project times are built into it for design work and than review/ change as FWHA may want done.
Ms. Powell wanted to know if B&N were contracted for work and what requirements need to be met?
Someone noted that a Company by the name of Shelly & Sams (?), would get that contract and it would be astronomical.
Mr. Conley than commented that design work can easily go past the noted November 18- Jan- 19 date for next application so it will be late next year before ready.
He than commented that Mr. Rapp will blame him for "almost completed project, that is fouled up".
Mr. Wilson noted that there was a conceptual drawing already out. Mr. Conley said one was out, but not by B&N.
Mr. Conley than commented that City has no River Frontage and some had asked for a Boat Ramp. He noted that for now no accessibility and the property on 12th was under a land contract.
Ms. Powell stated that in one of her phone calls to Derrick (DEP), she was told one could be put in, but all dirt would have to be disposed of as is/ was done on upper site.
Mr. Conley: It is very strange we have no accessibility?
NOTE: Allow me this, we had no frontage before for recreation as we just now have gotten ownership of the Park Site. And the 12th Street area was an active City Facility. 'nuff said'.