|
Monday, July 14 2008 |
City tries to cut back on fuel use
By TJ HEMLINGER
Staff writer
The Columbia City administration is studying the fuel usage by its employees in an effort to maximize production and keep fuel consumption down.
Mayor Jim Fleck said Friday at a Board of Works meeting that he has ordered a “complete investigation of fuel usage.” He noted that most of the consumption is diesel fuel, which is even more expensive than gasoline.
“I have asked Jeff (Walker, outdoor operators manager) and Mike (Petersen, chief of police) to collect data and offer alternatives,” Fleck said. “It’s pretty much completed.
“The police department is very limited with respect to using a vehicle when off duty. They can drive home and park.”
He said on the civil side there are still details to be worked out.
In other business Friday morning, street department superintendent Kelly Cearbaugh said his crew has placed dirt, grass seed and straw along Walnut Street where they have been doing work.
He added that they picked up 15 loads of brush because of the storms last week.
Fire chief Tom LaRue said his department has been planning for the 4-H Fair and has established a schedule for the demolition derby.
They also are working on a waterball court near the fire-fighters museum on South Whitley Street. They are talking about a tournament in the future at the 4-H grounds. He said it combines training with a good time and that fighters receive training on pumps and nozzles.
Walker said people along Blue River Drive “have been so considerate” as the city workers have tackled the sewer system in the area.
Fleck said, “A project of this scope requires the patience of a lot of people.”
The board listened to a presentation of a request by Kentucky Data Link to use city utility poles for fiber optic cable attachments. The route would travel from Embarq on North Chauncey Street and follow existing utility lines to Frontage Road and then to state Route 9. The board tabled the request pending more information.
The board voted to pay Niblock Excavating $322,776 for work on the interceptor sewer project.
It also paid Donohue and Associates $5,025 for work on the water pollution control facility and $16,730 for work on the Blue River interceptor sewer project, which is about 50 percent complete.
A change order on the work for the interceptor sewer will add $89,055 to the cost. The project started last October, and the changes are the result of field modifications. |
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, July 15 2008 )
|
