The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About01/05/2016 Council Meeting Minutes City of Canton Council Meeting The Donald Edwards Way (Historic Depot) Canton 1161520 01-05-2016 6:30pm A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on January 5, 2016 (6:30pm) in the Council Chambers, The Donald E. Edwards Way-50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois 61520. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Jeffrey Fritz, City Clerk Diana Pavley-Rock, Treasurer Crystal Wilkinson, Attorney Nancy Rabel, Police Chief Rick Nichols, Fire Chief Tom Shubert, Missy Towery-Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Daily Ledger, Fulton Democrat VIDEO SERVICES BY JOE GINGER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING INVOCATION- Phil Fleming 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 CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD DECEMBER 15 2015 APPROVAL OF THE TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING MINUTES HELD DECEMBER 15 2015 BILL LIST MAIN STREET WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS APPLICATION FOR PAYMENT NO 2 FROM UTILITY CONTRACTORS (HOER CONSTRUTION) IN THE AMOUNT OF$124,846.73 MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Lovell to approve the consent agenda as it appears. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich ABSTAIN Alderman West X The motion carried. FINANCE ALDERMAN JIM NELSON DISCUSS. CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE DECLARING SURPLUS REVENUE IN THE CANTON 2 ROUTE 9/CHESTNUT STREET TIF DISTRIT SPECIAL TAX ALLOCATION FUND AND AUTORIZING PAYMENT OF THAT SURPLUS REVENUE TO THE FULTON COUNTY TREASURER FOR DISTRIBUTON TO THE AFFECTING TAXING DISTRICT ON A PRO RATA BASIS FOR TAX YEAR 2014 PAYABLE 2015. (2ND READING) #4018 MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Hale to approve the 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 affecting taxing district on a pro rata basis for tax year 2014 payable 2015 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 ABSTAIN Alderman West X The motion carried. DISCUSS CONSIDER AND VOTE ON APPROVING A RESOLUTION FOR CONSULTING SERVICES WITH RICK SEMONIS FOR THE CITY OF CANTON'S GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE. #5039 Alderman Jim Nelson explained that Rick Semonis will obtain bids from various insurance companies and bring the bids back to the insurance committee for review. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Putrich to approve the resolution with Rick Semonis for consulting services for the City of Canton's group health insurance. 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. LEGAL AND ORDINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST AN ORDINANCE ABOLISHING TITLE 1 (ADMINISTRATION) CHAPTER 24 (DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY) OF THE CITY OF CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE (1ST READING #4019 Mayor Fritz explained that the current code still has the Director of Public Safety on record. This ordinance will abolish that position and clean up the city code since the City does not have anyone in that position. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Putrich to suspend the rules for the 2nd 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/Ellis 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. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 5 (FIRE REGULATIONS) CHAPTER 1 (FIRE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION) SECTION 1 (DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED) OF THE CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE. (1ST READING) #4020 Mayor Fritz explained this was being amended to take out the position of Director of Public Safety serving as Fire Chief. The ordinance would then give these powers to the Fire Chief. This will just clean this section of the code since the City did not have anyone in the position of Director of Public Safety and it was abolished. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Hale/West 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 MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Putrich 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. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 6(POLICE REGULATIONS) CHAPTER 1 (POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION) SECTION 1 (DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED) OF THE CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE. 1ST READING #4021 Mayor Fritz explained that the first part of amending the ordinance will allow the City to have the position of Director of Public Safety removed since it was not being filled by a Director of Public Safety. The City received retirement papers for a lieutenant in the police department to be effective January 12, 2016. The current makeup of the police department under this ordinance allows up to 1 Chief, 1 Deputy Chief, 5 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 15 Patrol Officers. Mayor Fritz discussed making some changes to the structure in the police department with Chief Nichols. This restructure will help both fiscally and structurally in the department. The City has not ever had 5 lieutenants. The City has only had a maximum of 4 lieutenants. Mayor Fritz believes we have the appropriate number of employees in the department; however he believes by moving the structure to allow up to 4 lieutenants and up to 4 sergeants would be better. The proposed structure would allow some cost savings for the City. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Lovell 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 Ellis/ 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. COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALDERMAN TAD PUTRICH UPDATE FROM MISSY TOWEY—SRPED GENERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POINTS Worked on student housing information relevant to possible student housing project with Spoon River College. Shared in a scanned e-mail series the rental information we received from Steve DeRenzy with Kevin at WIRC. Kevin and I then shared some e-mail exchanges concerning landlord regulations in Macomb and federal/state funding issues. Citizens Institute for Rural Design Grant work. Provided Jon Johnson from Canton Park District& others an update on our latest contact from the Asian Carp investors. RETAIL/COMMERCIALANDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT Prepared for and facilitated the SRPED Transportation committee meeting. After meeting began planning for potential Washington DC trip. Met with former experienced congressional staff that encouraged us to meet with our representatives in Illinois. We discussed the rank of importance for those meetings. Communicated with IDOT in regard to the 5 Year Transportation Bill. Sent out three retail recruitment communications relevant to available properties in Canton. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT,ATTRACTION AND SUPPORT Provided grant assistance to Big Horse Vineyard. Attended tour at facility. This Fulton County destination will benefit our hotels in Canton. Facilitated small theater/opportunity center meeting. Sent out actions to committee members that should be completed by the end of this year. We will then start to engage other stakeholders. Meeting with Fred Page at Farmer's State Bank to discuss Garden Theater. Met with Recruitment of Business Chair to discuss Business Climate Actions for 2016 —Had a discussion with John Kunski and Attorney Rabel regarding those actions. Working with a person who is interested in opening a small restaurant in the downtown area. Continuing to work with MidCentury Communications to address their plans to move forward with the fiber build out. OTHER Worked at the Canton Main Street Old Fashioned Christmas Walk Worked on task for Canton Main Street's Glacial Golf Attended CACC Appreciation Luncheon Prepared for and attended SRPED Board Meeting Prepared for and attended SRPED Executive Committee Meeting Attended department head meeting Produced and submitted Inside The Partnership newsletter for November/December Editions Prepared Chamber Courier article discussing SRPED accomplishments as we head into our I 01 year—asked others for their comments in preparation for a celebratory year. Submitted CACC and CMS Annual Reports for City Council Packets. CACC ANNUAL REPORT CMS YEAR END REPORT NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL ALDERMAN JUSTIN NELSON, CHAIRMAN ABSENT ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST---ACTING CHAIR DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A PROMOTION OF A POLICE SERGEANT Chief Nichols explained that one of the Lieutenants recently submitted a letter of retirement. Due to the retirement a promotion is being requested. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Ellis to approve the promotion. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON THE HIRING OF A POLICE OFFICER Chief Nichols explained that at the last meeting discussion took place regarding the need to bring up the number of officers within the police department. The police department has been at a serious reduction. The last approval of hiring an officer brought the number of officers within the department up to 22. Chief Nichols said that making the determination that having 22 officers takes into consideration the budget as well as what is needed to keep the community safe. Since this determination was made the department received notification of retirement from one of the lieutenants effective January 12, 2016. Chief Nichols explained that he is seeking approval of replacing this position with a new hire. The retiring lieutenant was making over $1200.00 weekly. The base pay for a starting officer is $863.00. This will provide a weekly savings to the City in the amount of $421.00 and an annual savings of $21,923.00. The department will promote a patrolman to the rank of sergeant. This promotion will create an increase of$2662.00, but this will still have a savings of$19,261.00. Chief Nichols further explained that the department is over $100,000.00 in overtime costs for the year. The need to be at full staff of 22 officers is very important. Alderman Lovell said that during prior conversations he was concerned about the officers working 20 days in a row and the mandatory overtime. The council previously discussed bringing in some temporary help for the department. Alderman Lovell said it was his understanding at the time that the person declined the temporary appointment. Alderman Lovell said he was later informed that the police union voted against the temporary appointment. Chief Nichols said he was not at the meeting; however could explain what was told to him. He was informed that the union was not completely against the idea, but their concern was bringing someone in that didn't know how the department operated. They wanted to know how trained/experienced the individual would be in situations that they would have to respond to a backup situation. Chief Nichols said it would be important for the council to understand that if the wrong person is put in the street without proper training/experience it could put the City in a liability situation. Alderman Lovell said he does not agree with this because that concern was not brought up when the idea was presented to the Council. Alderman Lovell said if the union voted against a temporary appointment- it is basically the same as them saying they don't want any help and they are fine with how things are going. Alderman Lovell said he felt like the Council was trying to help the department and then this got thrown back into their face. Chief Nichols said that many years ago it was not a problem finding a temporary appointment. Now with the new laws it makes things different. When the temporary position was being considered, Chief Nichols said he had someone in mind to fill it. The person was familiar with the City of Canton and worked for the part district police. This individual declined the offer. Chef Nichols said he did not know of anyone else that would be able to do it. Chief Nichols said from his standpoint he is concerned about liability. From the standpoint of the other officers, they were concerned about someone that was not trained and lacked experienced to help cover them in various situations. Alderman Lovell asked if it would tie the Chief's hands if the union would vote against a temporary appointment. Attorney Rabel said you would run into problems with the collective bargaining agreement. If an individual comes in to work-- the work performed would be covered under the collective bargaining agreement. Alderman Lovell said that when the officers voted that they did not want the help, it tells him a lot about where the staffing levels are actually at. Alderman Lovell asked if you could reduce the staffing per shift. Chief Nichols explained that would be a serious liability problem. Considering the crimes that take place the City needs to be sure they are adequately staffed. Due to the timing of the academy and the actual hiring of a replacement officer it may not take place until April. If the officer were already training the hiring process could be moved up sooner. Alderman Jim Nelson explained that even though the City received notification of a retirement there would also be additional funds due back to that officer for a final payout. The actual savings that was mentioned earlier is really not a savings because that is going to be paid out when the lieutenant receives his final pay. If the City waits to hire a new officer it could take place on the next fiscal year's budget. Alderman Mayhew said that he would like to wait until the City can appropriately budget for the position. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Hale to approve the hiring of a police officer. DISCUSSION: Alderman Jim Nelson said that he would also agree with waiting on the hiring of the officer and does not think there is a rush with the hiring of this officer. 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 failed. PUBLIC SAFETY&TRAFFIC ALDERWOMAN ANGELA HALE, CHAIRMAN STREETS AND GARBAGE ALDERMAN RYAN MAYHEW, CHAIRMAN LAKE, BUILDINGS& GROUNDS ALDERMAN JOHN LOVELL, CHAIRMAN PUBLIC WORKS, WATER&SEWER ALDERMAN GERALD ELLIS, CHAIRMAN COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR JEFFREY A FRITZ OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Hale to adjourn without the need of an executive session. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous Diana Pavley-Rock, City Clerk Jeffrey A. Fritz, Mayor