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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-05-2017 Council Meeting Minutes City of Canton Council Meeting The Donald Edwards Way (Historic Depot) Canton II 61520 07-05-2017 6:30pm A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on July 5, 2017 (6:30pm) in the Council Chambers,The Donald E. Edwards Way-50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois 61520. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Kent McDowell, City Attorney Curtis Lane, City Clerk Diana Pavley-Rock, Treasurer Crystal Wilkinson, Fire Chief Tom Shubert, System Maintenance Superintendent Dash Wilson, Ron Robinson-Street Superintendent, Police Lieutenant Mike Eveland MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Daily Ledger, Fulton Democrat VIDEO SERVICES BY JOE GINGER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING INVOCATION- Phil Fleming-St. Peter's Church PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD JUNE 20, 2017 BILL LIST Motion and second were made by Aldermen Hale/Nelson to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: FINANCE ALDERMAN RYAN MAYHEW- Alderman Mayhew reported that the current amount the State of Illinois is behind on for the water bill at the Illinois River Correctional Facility is $952,237.82. LEGAL AND ORDINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE TO MODIFY SECTION 3-7-6 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE MAKING TOBACCO POSSESSION UNLAWFUL TO MINORS. (1ST READING] #4079 Attorney Lane explained that the original ordinance did not have a provision for the possession of tobacco for minors. The revision to this ordinance will now clarify that a fine would be assessed for not only the sale of tobacco to a minor but also for the possession to minors. This ordinance will just clean up the code to show the penalty for possession. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Jump/Mayhew to suspend the rules for the second reading. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Mayhew to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE POSITION OF A PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR 12ND READING)#4080 MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Lovell to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PROVISIONS 9-5-4 PERTAINING TO PARKING TIME LIMITS IN THE CITY OF CANTON ILLINOIS. (2ND READING( 44081 Attorney Lane explained that a minor revision was made to the ordinance since the first reading. Language was placed in the ordinance to include Saturday's, Sunday's and Holiday's. East Side Court was also added as an addition to this ordinance. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Lovell to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE PLACEMENT OF STOP SIGNS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF CANTON ILLINOIS. (1ST READING)44082 Alderman West explained that the Council has discussed this item in great length in prior meetings. Since this item was discussed in great length, he would like to suspend the rules for the second reading. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Jump to suspend the rules for the second reading. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Aiderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen West/Lovell to approve the ordinance and place it on file ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY ILLINOIS AND RHC INVESTMENTS LLC(VILLAS OF HOLLYBROOK PROJECT( Attorney Lane explained that he is still in the process of negotiating this with the Villas of Hollybrook. This will come back to the Council as a resolution after the negotiating process is completed. Three revisions were recommended by the Villa's. One of those being extended time periods for the building, and the other was to show that they pay the property taxes pursuant to the TIF act. The last provision is the one that is sticky--- Alderwoman Lingenfelter made the suggestion to add language so the labor would be hired locally. The TIF administrator explained that even though the Villa's requested a late revision, he found it to be counterproductive and suggested that we not take that route. Attorney Lane said he is asking for approval for a limited indemnification as discussed at the last meeting. Attorney Lane further explained that he could ask what the Villa's plans are for the labor that they hire and the attorney general's opinion on prevailing wages for the TIF. Further discussion took place regarding the provision in the agreement about the labor being performed on the TIF projects be performed by local people. All future agreements will require local labor. This item will be tabled to allow further negotiation by the attorney. This will be on the next Council agenda. NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL ALDERMAN CHRIS JUMP, CHAIRMAN COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALDERMAN JOHN LOVELL, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A PROPOSED DEMOLITION QUOTE FROM NEIDIG TRUCKING & EXCAVATING RELATIVE TO THE ARCH RETENTION. The City received proposals for demolition of the Opera House that would allow for ways to save the archway in the front of the building. The initial estimates were between $70,000.00- $100,000.00. Attorney Lane explained that the City has TIF funds available for the project and the bond fund. The same rules apply for the bond funds as the TIF funds. The money can only be applied to specific types of projects. There is not the word "demolition" in the ordinance for the funds to be applied toward. Attorney Lane said you can't use funds for projects that is not approved by in the ordinance, and he further does not believe demolitions is allowed under the ordinance. Attorney Lane is working with the TIF administrator Steve Kline on the language. Alderman Lovell asked if the demolition fees are taken care of by the owner of the property. Attorney Lane said he was uncertain but would be doing additional research. Alderman Justin Nelson asked what the plan was for the area behind the archways at the Opera House once the building is demolished. Missy Towery explained that the City would be saving an iconic downtown archway that is attractive to developers. Missy further explained that she has talked to various business owners about the possibility of expanding into this area. Alderman Nelson said that he is concerned with the City wanting to spend money on saving this archway when the City does not have any money. The City has been putting off projects due to the lack of funding and does not think it would be a good idea to spend money to save this archway. Alderman Mayhew explained that the City has $360,000.00 in the TIF fund that needs to be used by the end of this year. There are a lot of projects that the City could use these funds on. Alderman Jump suggested getting a list from various department heads on what type of projects need to be completed. The Council could then review the lists provided to see what else the TIF funds could be used for. The City will need to use the TIF funds before the end of the year or they will expire. Attorney Lane further explained the possibility of a redevelopment agreement if the archway could be saved. The redevelopment agreement would clearly show that only the archway was the property of the City of Canton. The green space and the remainder of the area would belong to the owner. Discussion is still taking place on the legalities of the ownership of the archway and property. Currently investigations are still taking place on the building. Until all investigations are completed the building will not be torn down. Kurt Huber is still the owner of the property and ultimately he can do whatever he wants to with it. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST AND ROAD CLOSURE BY BILLY'S TAP FOR THE STRUBE MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER TO BE HELD JULY 29, 2017. A request was submitted from Billy's tap for the Strube Memorial event to be held July 29, 2017. The road closure will be on 2nd Avenue from Elm to Pine. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Lovell/Hale to approve the event to be held on July 29, 2017. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump Abstain Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A SPECIAL EVENT AND ROAD CLOSURE REQUEST FOR THE KID'S FEST TO BE HELD ON JULY 8, 2017 A special event was submitted by Canton Main Street for the Kids' Fest to be held July 8, 2017 in Jones Park. The request includes closure of some of the parking spaces next to Jones Park. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Lovell/Putrich to approve the event on July 8, 2017. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. DISCUSS. CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A REQUEST FOR A ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE LONGWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY TO BE HELD JULY 29. 2017. The event was submitted for the neighborhood block party to be held July 29, 2017. The event will be from 2:30pm-8:OOpm for the neighbors to gather for food and games. MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Lovell/Mayhew to approve the event. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. UPDATE FROM SRPED MISSY TOWERY Missy Towery reported that she attended a solar conference during the month of June. The partnership has been engaged with the county on a potential solar project for the last couple of years. Illinois is now in line to be the third place in the country as the best place to do solar projects. Missy is working closely with the County to do a utility scale project. Missy said it is important to be aware of these types of projects for the City of Canton as well. The southern portion of the IH site is currently being explored as a possible area for a solar project. Missy will find out if the size of the acreage is adequate. Missy will continue to work with developers for this type of project. Discussion took place at a recent Canton Main Street meeting about the amount of plywood that is still on the downtown businesses after the explosion last year. Missy said she would like to ask the Council to adopt an ordinance that would put time limits on the amount of time the businesses can keep plywood on their business windows and doorways. Missy said they have talked to the property owners regarding the plywood. In some cases they are still waiting on insurance, but in other cases she feels that they will just let it go until they are told to remove it. Attorney Lane said he can prepare a letter that could be sent out after the council approves it. Missy further explained that they are working on the marketing efforts for the JC Penney property. It is currently listed under the available properties on the cantonillinois.org website along with the Canton Main Street facebook page. The retail landscape is changing everyplace and is currently being further reviewed. Missy is making process with the theater project efforts. Bids have been received. The next step would be to have the developer acquire the property and approve the bids received. A final letter of intent will be entered into with the developer. The cantonillinois.org website updates is scheduled to go live in mid August. A completed updated version of the Fulton County Visitor's guide is completed and will be distributed. An electronic version will also be available online. July 8, 2017 will be the annual Kid's Fest from 9:00am to noon. August 12, 2017 will be the Heritage Days Antique and Collectable show from 8:OOam-3:OOpm. Alderman Justin Nelson asked for an update on the possible hotel in Canton. Missy explained that a feasibility study was being conducted. The developer was asking for extra assistant with the feasibility information. Information was provided to the developer. The partnership has talked to another franchise that is interested in the community. They have asked to be connected to the current developer. The current developer has indicated that they do not want to go that route. Missy asked Attorney Lane where the City is with a purchase agreement. Missy explained that she is not certain that they can get the financing that they need without the feasibility study coming back positive. The other option would be to reach out to the other franchise that is interested in the community. If the feasibility study comes back low, the other developer would still be interested in Canton's market. Attorney Lane explained that the City does have a development agreement with Royal Hospitality LLC. They are months behind in some of the provisions of the agreement. They were supposed to be building already, but there were some issues with an ALTA survey and a feasibility study. There is a clause in the development agreement that states if the feasibility study is not favorable they could withdraw from the agreement. Alderman Putrich said that he believes if they are past the deadline the property does come back to the City. Attorney Lane said this item will be placed on the next agenda for further discussion. Attorney Lane will also contact Royal Hospitality LLC regarding the tall weeds and grass at the property. PUBLIC WORKS,WATER AND SEWER ALDERWOMAN ANGIE LINGENFELTER,CHAIRMAN LIME SLUDGE REMOVAL Mayor McDowell explained that currently the City spends over$200,000.00 per year in removal of the lime sludge. Mayor McDowell said he has been working with the city department heads to figure a way to handle this in-house to save some money. A chemical study is currently taking place to see if it could be used by local fertilizer's. PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRAFFIC ALDERWOMAN ANGELA HALE, CHAIRMAN STREETS AND GARBAGE ALDERMAN JUSTIN NELSON, CHAIRMAN LAKES, BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS ALDERMAN TAD PUTRICH, CHAIRMAN Mayor McDowell explained that he is currently working with some local boy scout leaders to setup a couple of days per month to do community service around the lake to pick up garbage and clean up the lake area. MAYOR COMMUNICATION Mayor McDowell congratulated the department head's for all of the work they are doing. The department head's have been working very well together to come up with new solutions to help save additional money. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Jump/Nelson to adjourn for the purpose of: Negotiations 5ILCS 120/2 (C)2 ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried. The meeting returned to open session at 8:14pm following the executive session. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Nelson to hold a meeting next Tuesday at 6:30pm for a personnel committee meeting. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman X Lingenfelter Alderman Putrich X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Jump X Alderman Mayhew X The motion carried Motion and second were made by Aldermen Nelson/Lovell to adjourn. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. Diana Pavley-Rock, City Clerk Kent McDowell, Mayor