Freeburg trustees closer to agreement with Radio Wire

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Managing Editor
Posted 7/24/19

Freeburg   trustees at their monthly meeting last Monday continued the process of securing an agreement with Radio Wire for the continued use of a tower to place an antenna for Internet service.

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Freeburg trustees closer to agreement with Radio Wire

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Freeburg  trustees at their monthly meeting last Monday continued the process of securing an agreement with Radio Wire for the continued use of a tower to place an antenna for Internet service.

Mayor Darryl Haller said the village wants to make sure compensation is fair. “We probably need to go back and draw something up, and you can give us a contract to consider,” he added.

Ryan Herzing of Radio Wire said he could furnish a document that outlines the details of the agreement, but noted typically, the company favors a 10-year commitment, with a five-year minimum. Specific to Freeburg, Herzing said a seven-year deal would probably be in order.

Haller asked if there would be any interference as happened on another tower, and if not, he believed the village was in a position to move forward.

Trustee Dale Struemph asked if Herzing would be able to negotiate the terms of the agreement. “I’d have to take it back and have it signed, but yeah,” Herzing said.

Radio Wire, according to Herzing, would likely pay in the neighborhood of $200 a month to place the antenna on the tower, but said that is negotiable as well.

With the agreement, Freeburg would have two free service connections, one at city hall, and the other could be flexible. Data speed, along with termination of the contract, and terms for access to repair equipment, would be outlined in the contract.

“I just want to get the ball rolling,” said Mayor Haller.

Struemph, however, wanted a chance to speed up the process, noting it could drag for a couple more months.

Mayor Haller said he would prefer to wait on a decision, noting he had been in contact with representatives from other municipalities and Osage County.

“At the end of the day, we want to make sure we’re all treated fairly,” he said.

Herzing agreed to send a contract soon, and someone from Radio Wire will return to visit with trustees to finalize the deal.

In other business, Public Works Director Todd Feeler said that street improvements approved last month will be slightly lower with an updated bid from Capital Paving of Jefferson City. The new bid to overlay Lewis and Oak with four inches of asphalt will cost $15,333.25; along with Gilbert St. (two-inch overlay) for $11,906.25; Oliver St. (two-inch overlay) for $19,335.75; and Lewis and Pine, with a two-inch overlay for $15,335.25, totaling $61,436.25, which is $5,451.25 lower than the original bid of $66,887.50 due to the fact that Feeler will provide prep work. The price per ton was also reduced to $95.25.

Feeler said before paving can begin, water lines crossing these streets will be inspected and repaired. The area on Gilbert has some trench cuts that are currently filled with rock. Capital Paving recommended that these be dug out prior to paving. The village will also provide all manhole and valve box risers.

Trustees accepted the bid for paving, and the hope is to have street repairs completed before Labor Day.

In a related matter, Feeler said potholes were filled on Rose Hllkemeyer’s road, noting that due to their weight, trash trucks play a significant role tearing up the streets. It was suggested that restrictions could be added to the next contract with Republic for trash service to limit the size of the trucks used on the roads in town.

* Liquor licenses were approved for Eagle Stop, T&L and Holy Family Parish for the upcoming Freeburg picnic.

* Trustees discussed an issue with a water leak at the apartments, due to several running stools, which was addressed by Feeler. Specifically, there was a larger than average bill totaling $520 in May, and the June bill was $775, much higher than average.

Owner Jacques Wieberg contacted Feeler about the situation, and suggested the meter wasn’t read correctly or there is some other issue. Meters are read electronically, and Feeler showed the board exactly how often the meter at the apartment complex is read, and verified the gallons of water counted by the meter.

“We went up there, and the person who lived there just walked away, and hadn’t been there in a month,” said Feeler, noting that during his April 15 visit, the water was running at about 200 gallons per hour when he looked at the system readings. “It shows each month exactly when I read that meter.”

Trustees said they were sympathetic to the issue of a higher bill, but noted that the records indicate the water was pumped through the meter, and is therefore the responsibility of the landlord.

Mayor Haller said Wieberg is welcome to visit with the board about the issue, but the records are clear.

“We can’t be responsible for sticking toilets or people leaving their water on,” said Village Clerk Allen Gradel.

All apartments in the complex are tied to a single meter, with the bill paid by the landlord and recouped in rent from residents.

“You just need to show him the readings, Todd, and if need be, we’ll talk to him,” said Haller.

* Water Clerk Cindy Struemph noted that past-due water accounts totaled $571.49, and two accounts were three months behind. Haller said those accounts need to be shut off if not paid immediately.

* Water loss from May 2 through June 3 was 3%, Struemph reported, noting a total of 3,037,650 gallons were produced with 2,954,300 gallons sold.

* In his regular monthly financial report, Gradel presented figures showing general fund income for the month of $15,765.91, with sales tax bringing in $10,751.73. The village has $14,424.71 in general revenue checking and $577,929.59 in a general-revenue money market. Sewer system checking stands at $20,485.43 and the sewer money market balance at $138,342.21. The purchasing account has a balance at $671.02. The total on hand in all accounts, not including water is $751,852.96. The total for all accounts is $1,178,253.71.

* General revenue bills were paid in the amount of $17,528.97, and one sewer bill was approved in the amount of $467.66.

* Retirement options for employees is still being discussed, but Gradel said he needs help understanding the program, and said a special meeting could be held if need be to work everything out. “Each option you want is going to cost a different amount,” said Gradel. “I just need help understanding everything.”

* The next regular board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5.