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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-16-2020 Special Council MinutesA G E N D A CANTON SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 16,2020— 6:OOPM The Donald E. Edwards Way Historic Depot, 50 North eh Avenue, Canton, IL CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INVOCATION- Mayor McDowell PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin Nelson X Alderwoman Lingenfelter X Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin Mayhew X Alderman Ryan Mayhew X The motion carried MAYOR COMMUNICATION DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY- ORDINANCE #4182 Attorney Jump explained that this ordinance is to permit the Mayor to declare a local state of emergency. This is authorized under the municipal code and the Illinois emergency management act. Declaring a disaster under the Illinois emergency management act is a trigger to implement any emergency plans that the City has. The provisions under the municipal code allow the Mayor to take certain actions that may be necessary to respond to the Covid 19 pandemic. The items set forth in the ordinance does not mean that the Mayor is going to impose these items, it would just allow him to do so in the event the need should arise. The Illinois Municipal league has put out some guidance on the ordinance. Having this ordinance in place will allow the Mayor to protect the employees and the citizens of Canton during the pandemic. Alderman Fritz suggested designated some funds for the efforts for various items including emergency housing. Attorney Jump said he has been communicating with Treasurer Wilkinson and the City can't use any more money than what is appropriated for that year; without coming back to the council to do a special appropriation. If the City needs to do this, a special meeting could be held to allocate a specific amount of money, or to authorize the Mayor to take out a loan if needed. Attorney Jump said the City has been monitoring the amount of personal protective gear for the police; fire and public works employees. Currently the City believes they are in a good spot. This could be re -addressed if the length of using it is longer than anticipated. Attorney Jump said he is waiting on the guidance from the federal government on sick leave and FMLA for employees. Currently this bill is pending, but is expected to be passed soon. Alderman Fritz said that Canton has a large population of elderly citizens- which is the most vulnerable to the virus. If the City has to bring in resources this could be an additional cost as well. Further discussion took place regarding the language included in ordinance and the declaration of a local state of emergency. The City will obviously follow what the state is doing, but the local state of emergency declaration will pertain to what is unique to the City of Canton and actions that would need to be made locally. One of the things included in the executive order for the local state of emergency includes allowing local license that would expire to be extended, or allowing water bill cut-offs to be suspended during this time. This ordinance would allow the City to be more restrictive if needed than the state. Attorney Jump said he spoke with Robert Senneff at Graham Hospital today and informed him that if the City can be supportive in anyway to let him know. Currently there will be more police presence at the hospital. Mayor McDowell said he has also been in close contact with Katy at the health department, and Sheriff Jeff Standard at the county. Several meetings have taken place to try to make sure all bases are covered. Alderman Jeff Fritz said that when the disaster took place previously with the explosion Chris Helle with ESDA was a great resource. Attorney Jump said the only amendment that he has from the drafted declaration is adding the language for the chair for negotiations, grievance and personnel committee to the document. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Fritz/Nelson to waive the first reading of the ordinance. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Fritz/Nelson that the ordinance be approved. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin Nelson X Alderwoman Lingenfelter X Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin Mayhew X Alderman Ryan Mayhew X The motion carried. The law states that once the declaration is made, the Mayor is required to file it with the City Clerk. The City Clerk is required to publish the ordinance. The ordinance would be posted on the City website, City Hall, Canton Police Department, Canton Fire Department. If a curfew is ever implemented it would then be posted in an area near the curfew. Mayor McDowell encouraged citizens to purchase the totes for the safety of the City public works employees. Citizens.are also asked to double bag the garbage. Water/Sewer bills can be paid online or put in the drop box outside of City Hall. All disconnect of water/sewer bills will be suspended during the state of emergency. The city is currently working on getting disinfectant products and products to fog buildings. All City buildings are currently closed to the public. Any employee or aldermen will need to have a City ID card to get into the buildings. Mayor McDowell said several meetings have taken place with department heads to discuss staffing. A list of retirees for fire and police are on hand in the event they would need to be called in to help. Mayor McDowell said a budget meeting is scheduled for March 19th and again on March 24th. We still have to meet the April 30th deadline for the budget and make sure the publication requirements are met. Attorney Jump discussed looking at options for video conferencing for future meetings. The City will research options for video conferencing. If we hold the meetings remotely, we could look at options to the meetings online for the citizens to view. Mayor McDowell said he has talked with Pastor Bailey regarding the food bank and will also be meeting with the Salvation Army this week. Attorney Jump asked that everyone take this very seriously and will continue to work with all agencies to make sure the orders are complied with to protect everyone. Everyone is asked to follow the social distancing and to keep everyone safe. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Nelson/Lingenfelter to adjourn. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous Diana Pavley Rock, City Clerk Kent McDowell, Mayor Adjournment EXECUTIVE SESSION Executive session for the purpose of: personnel, grievance, pending litigation, negotiations, land acquisition and business matters