Macomb Fire Chief Dan Meyer told city aldermen last week that his department received 824 calls for service during the quarterly period from February through April. He said there were 34 fire calls and 558 calls for emergency service. The chief said there were 98 building inspections and 73 pre-plans with property owners. City firefighters assisted with fire drills at Western Illinois University and in Macomb schools and installed 22 smoke alarms in private homes.
The fire department has 19 sworn officers and staffs three crews. Meyer said firefighters completed 1,573 training hours during the quarter.
The fire chief asked for city council approval of an incentive to attract the lateral transfer of experienced firefighters to his department. Meyer said that, at a maximum cost of $12,000 per firefighter, Macomb could pay the previous department for an officer's fire academy training. The chief said,'Hiring already trained and certified firefighters offers advantages including faster deployment to line duty, attraction of high-caliber candidates, and improved recruitment flexibility.'
City Attorney Lisa Scalf said she handled 79 Freedom of Information Act requests from February through April. She said her department collected $24,577 in court fines and $9,493 in late water bill payments. Scalf said $1,488 in fines were collected from those cited for having overgrown grass but that $34,000 in liens remain on the books. She said, 'Most of these liens are generally uncollectable.'
City Finance Director Melissa Worley reported that the city collected $2 million in utility billings from February through April and made $4.3 million in vendor payments. She said Macomb hired five new employees and three part-time employees during the quarter.
The Macomb Community Development Department collected $1 million in permit fees from February through April, covering about $1.8 million in construction. There have been 162 rental inspections during the period.
Director Miranda Lambert said the department is handling four major grants. Thriving Communities provided funds to outline the development of bicycle and pedestrian paths. Safe Streets for All will offer funding to finish the work. Strong Communities has offered a second grant to help Macomb demolish substandard homes. Community Development Block Grant funding will offer money for property rehabilitation in the Westside and Eastside tax increment finance districts.
From February through April, code enforcement agents have written up 157 property violations, 38 tall grass complaints, 18 cases of needed property maintenance, 17 cases of illegal off-street and on grass parking, and 12 unregistered rental properties.
Lambert said her department has two new employees, building inspector Kevin Meunier and code enforcement officer Bart Whitney.
