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Home My WebLink About12/15/2015 Council Meeting Minutes City of Canton Council Meeting The Donald Edwards Way (Historic Depot) Canton 11 61520 12-15-2015 6:30pm A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on December 15, 2015 (6:30pm) in the Council Chambers, The Donald E. Edwards Way-50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois 61520. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Jeffrey Fritz, Attorney Nancy Rabel, City Clerk Diana Pavley-Rock, Treasurer Crystal Wilkinson, Police Chief Rick Nichols, Fire Chief Tom Shubert, Lu Ann Armstrong (Clifton Larson Allen) MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Daily Ledger VIDEO SERVICES BY JOE GINGER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING INVOCATION- Pastor Nina Nestlerode from the First Christian Church PUBLIC PARTICIPATION- ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA Alderman West recommended removing item 3 from the legal and ordinance committee agenda. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Putrich to adjourn into executive session for: * Personnel 51LCS 120/2 C1 ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. Mayor Fritz called the meeting back to order after the end of executive session for the regular scheduled council meeting. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD DECEMBER 1, 2015 POLICE REPORT FIRE REPORT TREASURER'S REPORT BILL LIST MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/West to approve the consent agenda and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. FINANCE ALDERMAN JIM NELSON-CHAIRMAN APPROVAL OF THE POLICE AND FIRE PENSION ANNUAL REPORT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Putrich to approve the police and fire pension annual report as presented. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. DISCUSS. CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AND ASSESSING TAXES FOR CORPORATE PURPOSES OF THE CITY OF CANTON, ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1. 2015 AND ENDING APRIL 30. 2016. #4015 Alderman Jim Nelson explained that a truth in taxation hearing was held with a maximum of a 15% increase. The increase can't be higher than 15%, but could be less depending on what the actual rate setting equalized assessed value is. $2,656,202.00 is the maximum amount the City could get. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Mayhew to suspend the rules for a second reading. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Mayhew to approve the ordinance levying and assessing; taxes for the corporate purposes of the City of Canton for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 201.5 and ending April 30, 2016. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE ABATING ALL OF THE BOND LEVY FOR THE 2015-2016 FISCAL YEAR ($26,430,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT ALTERNATE REVENUE BONDS SERIES 2005, $10,000,000 PRINCIPAL ALTERNATE REVENUE BONDS SERIES 2012, AND $2,810,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT ALTERNATE REVENUE BONDS SERIES 2013) #4016 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Justin Nelson to suspend the rules for the second reading. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Justin Nelson to approve the ordinance abating all of the bond levy for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. DISCUSS CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE DECLARING SURPLUS REVENUE IN THE CANTON 2 ROUTE 9/CHESTNUT STREET TIF DISTRICT SPECIAL TAX ALLOCATION FUND AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF THAT SURPLUS REVENUE TO THE FULTON COUNTY TREASURER FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE AFFECTED TAXING DISTRICTS ON A PRO RATA BASIS FOR TAX YEAR 2014 PAYABLE 2015. 1st Reading LEGAL AND ORDINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST-CHAIRMAN DISCUSS CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF MUNICIPALLY OWNED REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 24580 EAST LAKEVIEW DRIVE CANTON ILLINOIS. 1St Reading #4017 The City has lease holders that held this lease since 1992. The leaseholders wish to build a structure, but in the process of applying for the loan there was a problem with the ending date on the lease. The solution would be to rewrite the lease and change the length of the term. The leases the City currently writes basically "never expire". Attorney Rabe[ explained that this is not a transfer of property. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Putrich/West to waive the first reading of the ordinance. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Justin Nelson to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. A RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO FILE A LETTER TO INTERVENE IN THE HARVESTER INN LLC TAX APPEAL #5037 MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Hale to approve the resolution and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON MAKING 24531 N NORTHSHORE DRIVE LAKE LOTS 14 AND 15 IN THE NORTHSHORE ADDITION AVAILABLE FOR LEASE. Alderman West explained that originally the lot had three mobile homes on it. The homes were abandoned. One of the lots went to a neighbor. The two remaining lots are now public property and are available. Background: Attorney Rabel explained that 2 years ago the City acquired the lots back and cleaned them up. One of the lots went to the neighbor- and this neighbor has expressed interest in the other two lots. The lots need to have a public notice that they are available. The leases are standard- so they are not up for bid. The City will need to post the notice and see who is interested. Anyone interested will need to file a notice of interest after it is published in the newspaper. The Council will need to decide who the best party (who has the best use of the property) would be if more than one person is interested. Attorney Rabel said she wants to give notice of the lots. The City will then provide a list of who is interested. These lots are at the northeast end of the lake. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Putrich/Lovell to allow the notice to be put in the paper for lots 14 and 15 in the Northshore addition for 30 days. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR 2016 The 2016 Council dates were placed in the packets for review and is posted at the historic depot. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Lovell to approve the 2016 Council meeting dates. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. DISCUSS CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RELEASE OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES. #5038 The executive session minutes were reviewed by Attorney Rabel and City Clerk Diana Pavley- Rock with the recommendation on what could be released. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Putrich to approve the resolution and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALDERMAN TAD PUTRICH-COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL ALDERMAN JUSTIN NELSON, COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DISCUSS CONSIDER AND VOTE ON FILLING AN OPEN POLICE OFFICER POSITION WITHIN THE CITY. Police Chief Rick Nichols explained that several months ago the City was faced with making decisions with the budget in the police department. When it was decided that the City needed to make cuts two police officer positions were cut. Cutting the two positions allowed the City to make budgetary numbers for the deficit the City was facing. During the prior discussion with the budget Chief Nichols pointed out that if the department would have any injuries it would put the department in a very tight situation. The department would have trouble staffing their shifts. The City would then have extended amounts of overtime. Chief Nichols further explained that the department did have officers injured that caused the department to be short staffed and create additional overtime for the department. The department is struggling to staff the minimum shifts and officers are being ordered in to work overtime. One of the officers is currently working his 20th day without a day off. Two officers currently injured are looking at the possibility of surgery. These officers are still working because they are dedicated and understand the situation of being short staffed. The department currently has 21 officers. One officer was recently hired to replace a resignation that took place in September. This new officer will be attending the police academy in January. The officer will be training for 12 weeks between January and March. When this officer returns he will have a 12 week field training program within the department. This officer will not be ready to be used on the street until he is released from the field training. This officer will be available on the street in June 2016. Chief Nichols said there is a possibility of a future retirement next month. With the current injuries and unknown additional injuries Chief Nichols said he feels like the City is in collateral damage control mode. Chief Nichols explained that he must plan ahead and be ready for situations. To allow Chief Nichols to plan ahead he needs to have staff. Chief Nichols said he is unable to operate the way the department needs to with the current staffing situation. Alderman John Lovell did research with other communities and found the City of Canton's police department is understaffed. Alderwoman Hale did research on the budgetary cuts. One officer was budgeted for in the original draft of the budget, but this officer was not budgeted for in the final draft of the budget. Alderwoman Hale explained that it appeared that the police department took a big hit when the final budget was presented. Chief Nichols explained that he must look into the future and plan ahead. Public safety must be the most crucial aspect for a thriving community. Chief Nichols recommends hiring an additional officer to bring his department up to 22 officers to allow the department to operate correctly. Alderman Jim Nelson asked where the City is currently with the budget. Lou Ann Armstrong explained that the City is "right on target" with the police budget salaries. Alderman Jim Nelson said an additional officer within the department would not be budgeted. The City would need to come up with the funds from somewhere if the officer was hired. Lou Ann thought the City was at 60%of the budget 7 months into the year. The total department was a 61.9%of the budget. Lou Ann thought it was good that the back pay was issued. Alderman Jim Nelson said the back pay was a budgeted amount. Alderman Jim Nelson said he is not against the position, but needs to know how the City is going to pay for it. The position being requested is not budgeted at all. Alderman Justin Nelson explained that the City needs to look at the additional cost for overtime due to the department being understaffed. Alderman Ryan Mayhew said he is not opposed to giving the police department what they need, but he also wants to know how the City will pay for it. Chief Nichols said he needs to fill the spots from someplace. He would either have to pull the school resource officer or pull a detective. If he pulls a detective it would only leave the department with one detective 24 hours per day- 7 days a week. This would be impossible. If the City pulls the school resource officer-we would need to repay the school. The school pays 66.6%of the school resource officer salary for this year and they expect to have the officer at the school all year. Chief Nichols said the department still needs a new officer--- especially if the retirement takes place in January. Alderman Justin Nelson explained that by contract they must have officers to fill the minimum shift requirements. Mayor Fritz said that it is not by contract, but rather by internal policies setup in the general orders of the department. Alderman Jim Nelson asked again where the money will come from to hire another officer. Treasurer Wilkinson explained that if the pending retirement takes place a payout for unused vacation, sick and personal time would take place. Treasurer Wilkinson said the City could look into an operating loan to finance the new officer. Chief Nichols said he looked into a temporary appointment to help the department during the low staffing period from the injuries. The candidate was not interested in the temporary appointment. The problem is trying to find someone that is trained and knows the City. Alderman Putrich said he would like to be more proactive in resolving the staffing situation within the department. Alderman Ellis said the department will need three people if the pending retirement takes place. There is no overnight fix, but a decision needs to be made to allow proper staffing for the department. In order to get an officer into the January training a decision would need to be made by tomorrow. The next training would be in March 2016. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Putrich/West to approve hiring one more officer. Alderman Jim Nelson said he will vote for this, but we are still in financial trouble. Remember this when we look at other positions that is not as crucial to the safety of the City. Financially it is not a good decision, but safety wise it is a good decision. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim X Nelson Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. PUBLIC SAFETY&TRAFFIC ALDERWOMAN ANGELA HALE, CHAIRMAN STREETS AND GARBAGE ALDERMAN RYAN MAYHEW, CHAIRMAN The leaf program will stop this Friday. If anyone has leaves to be picked up they will need to contact the City. LAKE, BUILDINGS& GROUNDS ALDERMAN JOHN LOVELL, CHAIRMAN PUBLIC WORKS, WATER&SEWER ALDERMAN GERALD ELLIS, CHAIRMAN COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR JEFFREY FRITZ Mayor Fritz said the budget meeting will be held on January 23, 2016 at 9:OOam. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Hale to adjourn. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous Diana Pavley-Rock, City Clerk Jeffrey A. Fritz, Mayor