MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 920 N. EASTON, STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007.
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Fred Stein called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, October 22, 2007.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Stein led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. ROLL CALL:
Clerk Herbeck called roll with the following persons
PRESENT: Councilmembers Bart Yakos, Craig Neuhaus, James Sloan, Nelson Grman, Linda Prante and Robert Schwandner. Mayor Fred Stein, City Clerk Marilyn Herbeck, Chief Bob Mertz and Public Works Director Hank Fey were noted as being present.
EXCUSED: Councilmember Fred Lotter, Attorney Phil Lading
ABSENT: Councilmember Randy Brown, Treasurer Erin Cavanaugh
IV. CONSENT AGENDA:
Councilmember Sloan moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting – October 8, 2007
Executive Session - October 8, 2007
Collector’s Report
Personal Property Replacement Tax (October) $2,933.84
M.J.M. Utility Tax (September) $17.78
MFT Allotment (September) $10,917.64
Telecommunications Tax (July) $13,947.13
Sales Tax (July) $41,675.73
Applications
Janice Kolkovich, Staunton – Office
Karen Kovaly, Staunton – Bookkeeping
Barbara Moore, Staunton – Office
Jeana Walker, Staunton - Clerical
Claims
October 22, 2007
Business Licenses Issued
None
Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Yakos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Brown, Lotter
Motion declared carried.
V. GUESTS
Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to suspend regular order of business to hear from Guests. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
Andy Rowe, Economic Development Contact for Congressman Phil Hare explained that Congressman Hare is here to help the City achieve goals that they feel are important and offered his resources. Mayor Stein expressed that the City would like to extend sewer service to the I-55 Exit to attract retail and commercial businesses to the area. A map and preliminary costs were presented. Andy informed of several resources such as Federal appropriations, State USDA Rural Grant & Loans, Illinois Finance Authority and the State of Illinois Treasurer’s Office that can facilitate funding for such a project. Mayor Stein informed that Attorney Lading has been talking with Congressman Hare and Heneghan & Associates to compile cost estimates for the replacement of the Main Street Culvert. Brian Ury suggested the purchase of property near the I-55 exit would make it easier to attract potential businesses. Establishment of a not-for-profit status for the economic development commission would allow them some flexibility that is not allowable to a municipality since they are governed by the State Statutes. A brief discussion of water treatment funding was held. Councilmember Grman expressed a need to develop a welcome center, historical museum and tourism office and wondered if this could be done as a regional project. Andy explained that this could be done with mutual agreement between regional entities. Mayor & Council thanked Andy for coming and look forward to working with him and Congressman Hare.
Paul Gardner, resident of South Hackman Street, expressed that he is not in favor of an easement on his property for the placement of a sidewalk. He explained that the sidewalk would only benefit the Alco Store and would cause hardship on the residents because they would be obligated to maintain the sidewalk and shovel snow off of it during inclement weather.
Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to return to the regular order of business. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE:
Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to authorize participation in the AmerenIP Rate Relief Municipal Street Light Conversion Program. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
VII. CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
Clerk Herbeck informed that it is necessary for her to go to City Hall and check the vault to see if she can locate the bids which were submitted by the local newspapers for the printing of the Annual Treasurer’s Report. If the bids are found, they can be opened after the Council returns to regular session and awarded at that time. She suggested that the Council move that agenda item from Finance & Personnel Report to Motions after Executive Session and Council concurred.
VIII. TREASURER'S REPORT:
Nothing reported.
IX. ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
Mayor Stein reported that Attorney Lading has prepared a letter to Green Oil to inform them that the City does not intend to accept future liabilities and will not enter into the Highway Agreement. Green Oil has been directed to remove the contaminated earth because the City water lines run through it.
X. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
UTILITIES (LOTTER) -
Councilmember Schwandner moved, seconded by Councilmember Neuhaus to approve Change of Scope Form for Emerald Glen Project and authorize payment of Heneghan & Associates Invoice $36,187.38 for engineering over-runs for the Emerald Glen Project.
Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Neuhaus
NAYS: Yakos
ABSENT: Brown, Lotter
Motion declared carried.
Hank Fey reported that the Pilot Plant is scheduled to be delivered next week and should be operational the following week.
STREET (YAKOS) –
Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to award Sidewalk Bid to KLB Contractors.
Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Yakos, Neuhaus, Sloan
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Brown, Lotter
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Grman to authorize Hank Fey to purchase 2008 Ford F450 Truck from Bob Ridings Ford in the amount of $40,029.00. ($35,000 Street Budget / $5,029 Sewer Budget)
Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Prante, Schwandner, Yakos, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Brown, Lotter
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Yakos reported that the lake roads have been improved and now a lot of trash is being dumped. He requested signs to be posted to inform of the penalty for dumping.
FINANCE & PERSONNEL (BROWN) -
(Opening & Awarding Printing Bids for Annual Treasurer’s Report was moved after Executive Session.)
PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT (SCHWANDNER) -
Councilmember Schwandner thanked the volunteers for their time in assisting with the installation of the new playground equipment. Mulch was placed under the equipment today and landscape timbers will be installed to assist in keeping the mulch under the equipment.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY (SLOAN) -
Councilmember Sloan moved, seconded by Councilmember Yakos to hire Mike Mertz as Part Time Police Officer. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
TOURISM & ANNEXATION (GRMAN) -
Councilmember Grman explained that Mr. & Mrs. Favre have recently purchased the Vogelsang Property which was annexed a few years ago to accommodate annexation proceedings of Canadian Crossing Subdivision. The Favre’s intend to build a home on approximately 10-12 acres and want to keep the remainder of the property outside of the city limits to be used for hunting. The Annexation Committee concurred with their request as long as it includes the 300’ strip of land that will validate the properties original intent of annexing Canadian Crossing Subdivision. All costs associated with the reversal of the annexation will be paid for by the property owner and Attorney Lading will draft an agreement that in the event of selling the property, change in use of the property, renting or leasing the property or any other reason the attorney feels necessary, it would revert back to the original annexation agreement. Attorney Lading will be directed to draw up the agreement and present to the Council for review.
Stone Creek Subdivision plat has a right of way to allow access to the Favre’s property for future development. Since the Favre’s are just building one home on the property they are requesting permission to construct a lane to their property and not have to build the road to subdivision standards. Council informally concurred with waiver of subdivision standards for construction of a lane. Attorney Lading will have to review subdivision code and prepare any documents that are necessary.
PUBLIC GROUNDS (NEUHAUS) -
Nothing reported.
JUDICIARY (PRANTE) -
Councilmember Prante moved, seconded by Councilmember Neuhaus to adopt Ordinance #1440 Adopt-A-Pet Roadblock – November 3, 2007.
Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Schwandner, Yakos, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Brown, Lotter
Motion declared carried.
1st Reading – Ordinance #1441 Deleting Residency Requirement for Employees
Mayor Stein expressed that he did not know where this Ordinance came from but that he was against removing the residency requirement for employees. He felt that unless they had to have specialized training they should be a City resident.
XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
No business.
XII. NEW BUSINESS:
No business.
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Councilmember Schwandner moved, seconded by Councilmember Neuhaus, to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel.
Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Yakos, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Brown, Lotter
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Neuhaus, to return to the Regular Order of Business.
Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Yakos, Neuhaus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Brown, Lotter
Motion declared carried.
XIV. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Hire Clerical Employee (No action was taken.)
Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to accept low bid from Kwik Konnection in the amount of $199 for printing of Annual Treasurer’s Report.
Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Yakos, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Brown, Lotter
Motion declared carried.
XV. ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to adjourn at 8:35 P.M. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
Prepared by:
Marilyn A. Herbeck
City Clerk
© Copyright 2005 by the City of Staunton, Illinois
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