When given the opportunity to ban outdoor solid fuel-fired heating devices in 2002, the Fennimore Common Council chose not to.
Given a second chance during a meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12, the present-day Common Council followed the lead of its predecessors.
Bill Doan, a Madison Street resident, previously expressed his interest in installing an outdoor furnace.
“I had him talk to [Building Inspector] Dennis Hampton about that,” City Clerk/Treasurer Margaret Sprague told the Council. “Dennis was shocked that Fennimore hadn’t banned outdoor furnaces.
“I wanted to give you the opportunity to say is it OK to go ahead and issue a permit, or are you of an opinion that we want to ban them.”
The Fennimore Common Council adopted an ordinance in November 2001 that banned “all solid fuel-fired heating devices without a stack or chimney of at least 17 feet in height measured from ground at and on which the device is located.”
Doan told the Council last Tuesday night he wished to build a building for his outdoor furnace at Bill’s Body Shop on Jefferson Street.
“Mr. Hampton said I got to have state-approved plans because I’m commercial,” Doan said. “The engineer wants $3,500 to draw up a plan for $1,500 building.”
When Doan learned of the costly engineering plans, he contacted Sprague to ask if he could place the outdoor furnace at his Madison Street residence. Sprague explained the required parameters and referred him to Hampton.
“[Hampton] made the comment, ‘I am going to have to get this ordinance changed,’” Doan told the Council. “’I am going to call Margaret right away and get this on the Council meeting so we can get it changed.
“’I don’t like outdoor wood furnaces.’”
In early 2002, the Common Council considered an ordinance that would have banned all solid fuel-fired heating devices installed after March 1, 2002. The adoption of that ordinance failed.
“It it not [Hampton’s] ordinance to change,” alderperson Sara Brodt said.
The Council was not aware of any complaints regarding outdoor furnaces in the city.
“If it isn’t broke, I don’t think we should fix it,” alderperson David Streif said.
The Council unanimously approved making no change to the ordinance.
“I have burned wood since 1979,” Doan said. “I burn hard wood and I have never had a problem or a complaint that I know of.”
Alternate side parking exemption
Per a recommendation from the Streets, Sanitation and Recycling Committee, the Council approved a temporary exemption of alternate side parking enforcement in three locations in the city.
The Council approved the exemption in the 1200 block of Seventh Street, the 1200 block of 11th Street and the 1200 block of Cleveland Street.
The 1200 block of 11th Street is adjacent to The Silent Woman, the 1200 block of Cleveland Street is near Napp’s Motel and the 1200 block of Seventh Street is home to the Second Shot Saloon.
“If we don’t have any problems, and if we can get snow removed and everything, it will go on,” Stenner said. “If we have problems, we will discontinue the practice.”
Second Shot Saloon patrons who utilize the Safe Ride program leave their cars behind at the establishment.
“If they are good enough to take a ride home, we should try to do something for them,” alderperson Gerald Bollant said.
The exemption will come back to the Council a final time in the form of an ordinance amendment.
In other action, the Council:
• approved a proposal that will result in the insulation of the exterior south foundation wall of the Memorial Building.
“The concrete floor slab extends all the way out to the exterior wall,” Director of Public Works Dennis Biddick said. “We think a lot of our cold is probably being radiated from the exterior wall into our floor slab.”
The proposal calls for the excavation of 125 lineal feet along the south foundation wall and east foundation wall to the front doors, after which insulation would be applied.
“You’ll see change in the city office and in this room,” Mayor Charles Stenner said.
Biddick provided the Council with two quotes. Insta-Foam Insulation and Roofing of Platteville estimated the project would cost $4,886. Lamere Forms and Coatings of Bloomington provided a verbal quote of $2 per square foot.
“Seeing as stacking straw bales against it isn’t an option, I’ll move for approval,” Streif said.
• approved a proposal from E3 Coalition to upgrade exciting lights and fixtures in several city buildings. E3 Coalition works with Focus on Energy as a Small Business Program Trade Ally.
The total project cost is slated to be $33,773, but after incentives will be $25,520. The estimated payback thanks to the installation of energy efficient lighting is between two and five years.