Dennis Boring, supervisor of Animal Control, told the BPW he has been trying for the past four or five years to buy a second vehicle for the department. This year’s budget contains $22,000 for him to purchase the vehicle, and he found a cargo van that fits his needs.

By financing the van for 90 days, he can receive a $2,000 rebate, but he had to get permission from the council to borrow the money. After the 90 days are up, he will pay off the loan and save more money than the interest paid in those three months. After rebates, the vehicle will cost $16,950.

The BPW approved the request.

MAIN STREET EVENTS

The Catholic Community requested the city close Main Street between N.E. Third and Fourth streets for their annual Fest of the Harvest Moon on Oct. 4. The city council referred the request to the Board of Public Works, which approved it.

First Christian Church requested permission to host a youth event at the corner of N.E. Third and Walnut streets on Sept. 4. Church representative Byron Holtsclaw said the church plans to offer free lunches to students with open campus at noon and free after-school snacks to all students at 3 p.m. They don’t plan to close the street. The council approved the event and asked that city police make sure children are safe during the event.

TUNNEL

City Engineer Ed Barnett gave an update on the tunnel under the railroad tracks near Cosby Road. He said Boyds Excavating has contracted Capital Tunneling to dig an 88-inch diameter tunnel under the tracks for a 66-inch sewer line to run through. Barnett said he expects the tunnel will be complete by Friday.

PARK GEESE

Parks Superintendent Dan Neely presented some suggestions for reducing the duck and goose population at Eastside Park. The birds defecate throughout the park, making it difficult to walk the paths and causing algae to grow in the lake, said Neely. They have also been hit by cars and have chased people because they have come to expect food.

After consulting with the state Department of Natural Resources, Neely suggested taking measures to keep people from feeding the birds. The Parks Department also plans to destroy the birds’ eggs and catch and move them away from the lake.

Neely hopes this will reduce the hundreds of dollars per week the park spends on chemicals for the lake and on cleaning the sidewalks.

The council voted to allow Neely to take whatever steps are necessary to enact his plan.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Board of Public Works member Dr. John Gray has been working to create a handbook of job descriptions for all city employees. He asked Haag to have department heads send him information about who employees answer to throughout the city. When he is finished, he wants department heads to meet with their employees to define their job descriptions.