MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 920 N. EASTON, STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008.
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Fred Stein called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, March 10, 2008.
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, Randy Brown, 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: Craig Neuhaus,
NOTE: Councilmember Bart Yakos arrived at 7:07 p.m.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA:
Councilmember Grman questioned if the City Council should accept applications from non-residents as there is an ordinance on file that permits hiring non-residents. Mayor Stein referred issue to Judiciary Committee for review.
Councilmember Grman stated that the request for Executive Session on February 25, 2008 was to discuss “Contract” as requested by Mayor Stein but that he thought it should have been presented in open meeting. Mayor Stein replied that Councilmember’s Neuhaus and Grman had requested him to discuss it in Executive Session and that is why he made the request.
Clerk Herbeck reported that the Utility Tax included in the Collector’s Report should be AmerenIP and not SW Electric. There was an error in the report given to the City Clerk for the Agenda. Correction will be made accordingly.
Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Pre-Annex Hearing - February 25, 2008
Regular Meeting - February 25, 2008
Executive Session - February 25, 2008
Collector’s Report
MJM Utility Tax (February) $10.90
AmerenIP Utility Tax (January) $34,535.66
Use Tax $5,850.75
Clock Donations $50.00
Applications
Lucas Felchner, Staunton – Park Department
Dennis Lambert, Staunton – All Departments
Thomas Scroggins, Bunker Hill – Park Department
Lynn Ramin, Staunton – Park Department
Zachary Hannon, Worden, Park Department
Jan Schaefer, Staunton – Park Department
Kenneth Helfer, Livingston – All Departments
Kenneth Melton, Staunton, - Street Department
Aaron Foster, Staunton – Park Department
Linda Thomas, Staunton – Part Time Dispatcher
Eli Ward, Staunton – Park Department
Kenny White, Staunton – Park Department
Monthly Report
February 29, 2008
Claims
March 10, 2008
Business Licenses Issued
Crossbones Motorsports, 418 E. 8th Street (Name Changed from 66 Signs & Shirts)
Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Brown, Sloan, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter,
NAYS: Grman
ABSENT: Yakos, Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.
V. GUESTS
Councilmember Brown moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to suspend regular order of business to hear from Guests. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
Girl Scout Troop #330 requested permission to place banners on Main Street in order to achieve the Silver Award for their Troop. Mayor Stein referred the request to the Civic Improvement Committee and Irene Arnold to investigate the bracket and banner size that have been on the poles in the past and to determine if it is possible to achieve this request.
Jim Holak of Ducks Unlimited requested permission to conduct the Annual Lake Clean Up on April 12th (April 26th Rain date) in accordance with past practice. Item will be acted upon during regular order of business.
Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to return to the regular order of business. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE:
Madison Communications presented a Broadband Network Proposal for the City Hall Complex which includes Police Department, City Hall and Library. Mayor Stein referred item to Finance Committee for recommendation.
Councilmember Sloan moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to authorize Matthew Marburger to change status from full time Police Officer to part time Police Officer.
Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Yakos, Brown
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
UTILITIES (LOTTER) -
Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Yakos to grant authorization to Mayor to sign Close-Out Documents for Alaska Street CDAP Grant.
Councilmember Yakos questioned whether or not this would affect the roadway issues and was assured by Tracey Kelsey that the issues will be taken care of hopefully later this week, weather permitting.
Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Yakos, Brown, Sloan
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Grman reported that he has been receiving roadway maintenance complaints from residents living in Timberview & Canadian Crossing Subdivisions. Subdivision Chairman Lotter reminded that neither of these subdivisions have been officially taken over by the City as they have unfinished items that must be completed first. Residents should be aware that the City does not have the authority to provide services until this has taken place. Council requested Attorney Lading to set up a meeting with these developers to discuss unresolved issues.
STREET (YAKOS) –
Chairman Yakos reported that the 2008 MFT Annual Maintenance Program in the amount of $187,000 has been approved and the bid opening is scheduled for March 18, 2008 at 10 a.m.
AmerenIP has been contacted regarding the streetlight issue from last meeting that was brought up by Mr. Pilger. The Street Committee has met and agreed that they will leave the street lights as is and no changes will be made.
FINANCE (BROWN) -
A Finance Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 7 p.m. to work on Public Health & Safety and Park/Civic Improvement Budgets.
PARK/CIVIC IMPROVEMENT (SCHWANDNER) –
Nothing to present.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY (SLOAN) -
After investigation of Mr. Pilger’s concern of the derelict property located on South Hackman Street, it was determined that no tarp exists on the roof and that the refrigerator on the porch is in use and that no ordinance violations exist at the property.
The Police Commission recommended Mike Mertz as the best qualified candidate for the full time officer position as he scored the highest on the exam and has completed PT Training. Councilmember Sloan moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to hire Mike Mertz as full time Police Officer.
Roll Call Vote-
AYES: Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Yakos, Brown, Sloan, Grman
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.
Chief Mertz reported receiving a proposal from PTSI in the amount of $45,000 for sirens to be placed in 3 locations. The current siren at City Hall is expected to expire in 5 years and is not included in the proposal. They offer a 5 year lease program for the new sirens. Chief Mertz will obtain more information and item will be placed on next agenda.
The current PIPS Program is not currently accessible in the squad cars. The program would allow officers to make their reports in the squad cars at the time of arrest. It would cost an additional $1,000 per car to install plus an annual maintenance fee of $1,600. A bid was received from Village Police Program for the initial cost of $4,500 and $450 yearly for maintenance. Item will be placed on the next agenda.
The State of Illinois has an Interstate Patrolling Program that offers up to 485 hours per year for municipal officers to patrol on state roads (Rt. 66, Rt. 4 and East Main Street) and issue tickets for speeding. They also provide radar units to the officers. Council will consider the program and it will be placed on the next agenda.
Councilmember Sloan moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to authorize issuance of Trash Hauling Licenses for Harry’s Disposal Waste Management.
Roll Call Vote-
AYES: Schwandner, Lotter, Yakos, Brown, Sloan, Grman, Prante
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.
TOURISM & ANNEXATION (GRMAN) -
Councilmember Grman questioned if the rules and regulations for the Farmer’s Market were ready to be used as Mr. Binney has a meeting scheduled for Monday with prospective applicants. Attorney Lading indicated that he has the drafts and will get them completed.
Councilmember Grman informed that in the past he had asked for funding to print maps because they were running low but that a supply has been located in the storage room at City Hall. Clerk Herbeck indicated that she was aware of the supply in the storage room but that the request for funding by the Tourism Committee was for printing the “historical brochures” which were designed by Dennis Garrells. She never recalled there being a need to re-print the maps due to a shortage.
Chairman Grman requested the Council to re-consider the placement of stop signs on Sixth Street now that the bicycle trail is under construction. Councilmember Sloan indicated that he has it listed for discussion at the next Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting.
Chairman Grman requested Attorney Lading to meet with the Council to discuss Annexation on the same night that the Renken Road Water Association Meeting occurs.
PUBLIC GROUNDS (NEUHAUS) -
Nothing to report.
JUDICIARY (PRANTE) -
1st Reading - Ordinance #1449 Modifying Leaf Burning Ordinance
1st Reading - Ordinance #1450 Modifying Curfew Ordinance
Councilmember Prante moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to Adopt Resolution
#2008-08 Urging the General Assembly to Stop Making Costly Benefit Improvements and Adopt Reforms that Protect Police and Fire Pensions.
Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Lotter, Yakos, Brown, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Prante moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to Adopt Resolution
#2008-09 Urging the General Assembly to Support Senate Bills 1252 & 2090, and House Bills 4904 & 4905.
Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Yakos, Brown, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Clerk Herbeck reported that she has been working with Rich Henry regarding the address conflict of 1107 Old Historic Rt. 66 and 1107 East Henry. She offered to change his address if he felt that it would help with the delivery errors that have been occurring. At first he agreed that this might be the best thing to do but then later changed his mind due to the magnitude of changes that he would have to make and that he may loose some internet contacts for his business after taking so many years to get it established. He suggested changing the address at 1107 East Henry. Clerk Herbeck informed that she has made several attempts to contact the owner of the 1107 East Henry property but has been unsuccessful. She will keep trying and will also send correspondence.
Clerk Herbeck asked for a determination on who is legally responsible to assign addresses in the City of Staunton. She remembered when Macoupin County 9-1-1 System was established, each municipality was requested to appoint an individual who would be responsible to assign addresses “in the city limits”. She indicated that the Council appointed her at that time. The County 9-1-1 Office assigns anything outside of the city limits. Councilmember Brown suggested that it may be more appropriate for the Street Committee to make the address assignments. Attorney Lading will investigate the legality of the issue.
Councilmember Grman questioned if it has been determined who is responsible for website maintenance. Councilmember Schwandner reported that the Civic Improvement Committee is working on getting bids.
IX. NEW BUSINESS:
IDOT announced the Safe Routes to School Project successful grant recipients and unfortunately Staunton was not successful. Clerk Herbeck suggested resubmitting an application in the next grant cycle.
Councilmember Grman read a statement from a letter to the editor and commented that nobody on the Council fits the description. He stated that the Council puts in a lot of hours, time and effort for the right reasons and that the article is ridiculously the worst article that he has read in a letter to the editor.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Nothing to discuss.
XI. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
No motions.
XII. ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Yakos to adjourn at 7:50 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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