City Council Minutes - January 14, 2008
By Marilyn A. Herbeck
Feb 7, 2008, 22:27

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 920 N. EASTON, STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2008.

I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Fred Stein called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, January 14, 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 Randy Brown, James Sloan, Nelson Grman, Linda Prante, Robert Schwandner and Fred Lotter. Mayor Fred Stein, City Treasurer Erin Cavanaugh, City Clerk Marilyn Herbeck, City Attorney Philip Lading, Chief Robert Mertz and Public Works Director Hank Fey were noted as being present. Councilmember Bart Yakos arrived at 7:25 p.m.
ABSENT: Craig Neuhaus

IV. CONSENT AGENDA:

Councilmember Brown moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:

Collector’s Report
AmerenIP (November) $15,891.74 Hotel/Motel Tax (November) $1,432.74
Income Tax (Sept/Oct) $71,635.91 MFT Allotment (November) $10,984.05
MJM Utility Tax (Dec) $12.30 Per Prop Rep (Oct/Nov/Dec) $3,847.83
Sales Tax (Oct-Dec) $45,832.85 SW Elec Util Tax $344.80
Telecomm Tax (Sept) $13,264.66 Use Tax (Oct) $5,676.89
Farm Rent (2007) $378.60 CDAP Grant Reimbursement $1,753.00
DUI $150.40 County Fines $5,323.03
Police Vehicle Fund $100.00 Restitution $1,000.00

Applications
Eric Klawinski, Staunton – Water Plant Operator
Parrish McPheeters, Staunton – Water Plant Operator
Tonya Pieper, Staunton – Water Plant Operator
Chris Pingolt, Staunton – Water Department
Michael Wiggins – Water Department / Other
Lisa Schneider – Water Operator
Dean Bondy – Street / Any
Robert Albrecht – Any
Monthly Report
December 31, 2007
Claims
December 24, 2007
January 14, 2008
Business Licenses Issued
None

Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Brown, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos, Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.

V. GUESTS

Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to suspend regular order of business to hear from Guests. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.

Bob Vojas presented information about the “File of Life Program” which has received sponsorship from the American Legion, County Board and other organizations. The program consists of distributing a health information form to residents which they can place on their refrigerator to be accessed by medical personnel in the event of a medical emergency. He asked for support from the City and permission to use the City Hall as a distribution point for the program. Mayor and Council commented that it sounds like a good project and thanked Bob for presenting the information.

Councilmember Brown moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to return to the regular order of business. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE:

David Binney submitted a request to establish a “Farmer’s Market” in Staunton. Mr. Binney made a presentation at a committee meeting recently and the details are being worked out. Formal approval will be given at a later date.

Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Schwandner to accept resignation from Randy Straub as Water Plant Operator. All present voting aye, motion declared carried. Mayor Stein thanked Randy for his years of service.

City of Litchfield sent an Invitation to participate in Route 66 Classic Car Show. Mayor Stein referred item to Tourism Chairman Grman to investigate.


VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

UTILITIES (LOTTER) -

Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to authorize payment of Heneghan & Associates Invoice in the amount of $4,966.25 for Sanitary Sewer Lining Services.

Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos, Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.


Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to authorize reimbursement of payment for Kuethe Mechanical Invoice in the amount of $827.00 and reimbursement of Inspection & Excavation Fee for sewer repair at 816 S. Wood per request of residents Don Kasubke and Richard Ficker.

Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Sloan
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos, Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to hire Parrish McPheeters as Full Time Water Department Employee effective January 21, 2008 with a 6 month probationary period.

Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Brown, Sloan, Grman
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Yakos, Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.

* Note: Councilmember Bart Yakos arrived at this time (7:25 p.m.)

STREET (YAKOS) –

Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter to authorize payment of KLB Contractors Invoice in the amount of $27,951.04 for Residential Sidewalk Program.

Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Schwandner, Lotter, Yakos, Brown, Sloan, Grman, Prante
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown to authorize payment of Barnhart Contracting Invoice in the amount of $2,536.00 for Railroad Crossing Asphalt Curb.

Roll Call Vote –
AYES: Lotter, Yakos, Brown, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.

FINANCE (BROWN) -

Chairman Brown reminded that it is time to start working on the budget. Worksheets will be provided to everyone.



PARK/CIVIC IMPROVEMENT (SCHWANDNER) –

Nothing to report.

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY (SLOAN) -

Chairman Sloan presented a copy of the Citizen Survey for Garbage Pick up Service that will be mailed to residents.

The grant for car videos was denied.

The radio repeater system has been set up and communication has been extended to the outlaying areas of the city.

There are 7 Derelict Vehicle Violations that will be held in court on January 23rd.

Prices are being obtained for new copy machines at the Police Department, Public Works Department and City Hall. This issue was referred to the Finance Committee to obtain bids on all three machines to get better pricing.

TOURISM (GRMAN) -

Formal approval has not been given for the Farmer’s Market at this time but the Council is favorable to the idea. It will be placed on the agenda for approval once the details have been worked out.

PUBLIC GROUNDS (NEUHAUS) -

No report.

JUDICIARY (PRANTE) -

Signs have been posted at the entrances to buildings in accordance with the Illinois Smoke Free Act. Kwik Konnection printed some temporary signs and they were laminated. Permanent signs will be printed and posted once the sign guidelines have been made official.

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

No Unfinished Business presented.

IX. NEW BUSINESS:

Clerk Herbeck informed that after seeking legal advice from City Attorney Phil Lading, she is relinquishing custody and responsibility of Files & Records other than Official Records of the Corporation such as Minutes, Ordinances and Resolutions which are legally to be held in the custody of the City Clerk. All other records will be turned over to Lori Grandone at City Hall.

Licensing procedures were discussed. Currently applications are obtained at City Hall and then forwarded to the Chief of Police, Zoning Administrator and Mayor for approval. After the Mayor’s signature, the City Clerk issues and signs the license. Attorney Lading will check to determine if the City Clerk has to legally issue and sign the license or if it can be done by the City Hall employees.

Councilmember Yakos questioned issues regarding the warranty of the Sixth Street Water Line Project. Tracey Kelsey will check on issues.

Councilmember Brown reported a light fixture that is bent on the South Water Tower. Hank Fey acknowledged knowing about the light and that it has been in that condition for quite a while now. He will check on getting it repaired.

Zoning Administrator Michelle Heim-Streeb requested Mayor Stein to consider making two Zoning Board appointments. She explained that there is already one vacancy and another member has indicated that a resignation will be submitted. There are other members that are unable to make meetings and the board will not be able to conduct meetings if they do not have a quorum. Mayor Stein indicated that he will contact Michelle and make the appointments very soon.

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to go into Executive Session to discuss Contracts & Personnel.

Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Yakos, Brown, Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Yakos moved, seconded by Councilmember Lotter, to return to the Regular Order of Business.

Roll Call Vote -
AYES: Sloan, Grman, Prante, Schwandner, Lotter, Yakos, Brown
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Neuhaus
Motion declared carried.

XI. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:

No motions were made.

XII. ADJOURNMENT:

With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Lotter moved, seconded by Councilmember Yakos to adjourn at 8:30 P.M. All present voting aye, motion declared carried.

Prepared by:



Marilyn A. Herbeck
City Clerk





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