MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 920 N. EASTON, STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2007.
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Fred Stein called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, November 12, 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 Randy Brown, Craig Neuhaus, James Sloan, Nelson Grman, Linda Prante, Robert Schwandner and Fred Lotter. Mayor Fred Stein, City Clerk Marilyn Herbeck, City Attorney Philip Lading, Chief Robert Mertz and Public Works Director Hank Fey and were noted as being present.
EXCUSED: Councilmember Bart Yakos, Treasurer Erin Cavanaugh
IV. CONSENT AGENDA:
Clerk Herbeck explained that when she tried to access her files in the computer at City Hall she found that she had been denied access. She questioned Councilmember Brown if he was aware of this and he indicated that he was. She was given a CD with her files on it but the files are view only and she is not able to make any changes to them. She explained that with all of the confusion with the files the wrong agenda was emailed to the Council and suggested that they use the agenda that was placed in their mailboxes.
Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting October 22, 2007 & October 25, 2007
Executive Session October 22, 2007 & October 25, 2007
Applications
Mary Adler, Staunton Clerical
Holly McPheeters, Staunton Clerk
Sherry Pirok, Staunton Clerical
Alesia Russell, Staunton Clerical
Ron Winans, Staunton Clerical
Monthly Report
October 31, 2007
Business Licenses Issued
None
Receipts
Ameren IP Utility Tax October $25,763.07
Hotel/Motel Tax September $1,858.65
Income Tax August $25,595.71
Library Payroll Reimbursement $4,392.69
MFT Allotment October $12,437.91
MFT High-Growth FY08 $2,339.00
MJM Utility Tax October $8.91
Property Tax 3rd Install $44,231.00
Sales Tax September $45,983.71
SW Utility Tax October $385.25
Use Tax August $4,963.97
CDAP Grant Reimb Alaska St. $5,900.00
CDAP Grant Reimb Emerald Glen $36,187.38
Ord Violations $200.00
County Fines $2,571.59
DUI Equipment $228.20
Restitution $785.04
Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Brown, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
V. GUESTS
Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to suspend regular order of business to hear from Guests. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
Bob Bodner was present to thank to the Council for working with businesses locating in the vicinity of the I-55, Staunton Exit. He explained that he has met with a buyer that is interested in purchasing the Diamonds property but has expressed that they are going to need sewer access. Bob requested a meeting with representatives of the Economic Development Commission and City Council to discuss options for sewer access. Mayor Stein will contact Mr. Bodner to set up a meeting.
Councilmember Brown moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to return to the regular order of business. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE:
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity sent a fully executed copy of the modification/waiver to Grant No. 05-24107 (Emerald Glen Economic Development Grant).
AmerenIP confirmed the Citys participation in AmerenIPs Municipal Street Light Conversion Program and assigned the Confirmation Number of 21102507111.
Councilmember Sloan moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to accept resignation of Russell Alexander as part time police officer. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
UTILITIES (LOTTER) -
Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to approve the purchase of turbidity meter for pump house with cost of purchase and installation not to exceed $5,000.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to approve payment of $1,830 / $1,000 to railroad engineers for permit application fees to run waterline under railroad.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
Utility Chairman Lotter presented information regarding a water rate increase that will become effective January 1, 2008. The minimum rate which is used mostly by the elderly will be lowered and the other rates will be increased by 8%. Clerk Herbeck reminded that the Village of Williamson Contract has a notification requirement of either 60 or 90 days notice. Attorney Lading will review the contract.
STREET (YAKOS)
Councilmember Brown moved, seconded by Councilmember Grman to authorize payment of Heneghan Invoice in the amount of $3,332.25 for the East Main Street Jurisdictional Transfer.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus, Sloan
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
FINANCE (BROWN) -
No Report.
PARK/CIVIC IMPROVEMENT (SCHWANDNER)
Chairman Schwandner thanked Tubular Steel for their donation of the steel pole barriers that were placed at the new playground.
Councilmember Schwandner moved, seconded by Councilmember Grman to approve the purchase of 85 yards of mulch from Hutchinson & Associates in the amount of $1,710.00.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Schwandner moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to approve transfer of $30,000 from Civic Improvement Fund to Park & Recreation Fund ($60,000 Budgeted).
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
Chairman Schwandner provided photos of vandalism to the newly-installed playground equipment. He informed that the vandals have been caught and are will be doing community service. The graffiti has been removed from the equipment.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY (SLOAN) -
Councilmember Sloan moved, seconded by Councilmember Grman to approve purchase of Radio and Repeater System at cost of $9,224.50.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
Ordinance Violation letters will be sent to 74 property owners regarding 94 derelict vehicles. He indicated that this was down from the amount that were notified last year.
Chairman Sloan requested Executive Session to discuss consideration of grievance.
TOURISM (GRMAN) -
No report.
PUBLIC GROUNDS (NEUHAUS) -
Councilmember Neuhaus moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to advertise for bids for 3-yr pest control and termite maintenance agreement. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
JUDICIARY (PRANTE) -
Councilmember Prante moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to Adopt Ordinance #1441, Deleting Residency Requirement for Employees.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Brown, Neuhaus, Grman, Lotter
NAYS: Sloan, Prante, Schwandner
ABSENT: Yakos
Mayor Stein vetoed.
Councilmember Prante moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to Waive 1st Reading of Ordinance #1442, Salvation Army Roadblock.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Prante moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to Adopt Ordinance #1442, Salvation Army Roadblock.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
1st Reading Ordinance #1443 Vacating Resolution #857 (City Clerk Participation in IMRF)
Councilmember Prante moved, seconded by Councilmember Grman to Approve Resolution #2007-39 Election to Make Payments in Lieu of Contributions for Unemployment Benefits.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Brown, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Councilmember Schwandner moved, seconded by Councilmember Grman to award bid to L & L Excavating in the amount of $70,988 for meter and service line replacement on Main Street.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Brown, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
Mayor Stein presented copies of letters from Heneghan regarding the status of the Main Street Improvements. Curt Westrich explained that IDOT is preparing a conceptual design and expects to have it ready to present to the City within 6-8 months and construction to begin within a year. A Street Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 15th at 5 p.m. at City Hall to discuss.
Mayor Stein informed that he has been receiving a lot of calls regarding the burning ordinance and requested the Public Health & Safety Committee to have a meeting to discuss possible changes to the ordinance.
IX. NEW BUSINESS:
Clerk Herbeck suggested that setting up a designated computer at City Hall for the City Clerk may resolve the security issue for everyone. She also informed that she is concerned about who may have access to some of her files that are confidential such as Executive Session Minutes. Personnel Chairman Brown assured that he will get the access problem resolved.
Mayor Stein suggested that the Council may want to start working on preparing a list of job duties for the City Clerk position for the next election.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Sloan, to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel.
Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Brown moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter, to return to the Regular Order of Business.
Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
XI. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Councilmember Sloan moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to deny grievance.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus, Sloan
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to authorize Attorney Lading to proceed with obtaining appraisals on designated Main Street Properties with cost not to exceed $500 per property.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Neuhaus, Sloan, Grman, Prante
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos
Motion declared carried.
XII. ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Neuhaus moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown 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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