The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About06-05-07 City Council Meeting Minutes A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on June 5, 2007 in th Council Chambers at 50 North 4 Avenue, Canton, Illinois. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING FOLLOWED BY THE INVOCATION GIVEN BY CITY CLERK NANCY WHITES. Mayor Heinze asked for roll call at 6:30 p.m. Present – Aldermen Eric Schenck, Joe Berardi, Larry Sarff, Craig West, Les Carl, Jason Strandberg, Sonya Lewis. Absent – Alderman Kevin Meade. Others present – Mayor Rodney W. Heinze, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City Treasurer Kathy Luker, Interim City Attorney John McCarthy, sitting in for Police Chief Jeffrey Fritz was Detective W. Dan Taylor, Fire Chief John Stanko, Public Works Director Clif O’Brien, Wastewater Treatment Supt. Joe Carruthers, Water Treatment Supt. Greg Pollitt, Street Supt. George Spahn. In the audience WBYS Mark Bixler, Journal Star Jenny Freeman, Democrat Wendy Martin, George Hall, Mr.& Mrs. Dick Versace. MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MAY 15, 2007. Motion and second by Aldermen West/Lewis, the minutes of May 15, 2007 Council meeting be accepted and placed on file. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. MINTUES OF MECHANICAL COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MAY 22, 2007. Motion and second by Aldermen Schenck/West, the Mechanical Committee minutes be accepted and placed on file as amended. (The amendment is on page 4 second paragraph having to do with Western Illinois University to invite them to come to the next Clerical Committee The correction is Building & Grounds Committee.) meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS. Public Safety & Traffic. Council Action None. Informational. Mayor Heinz reported there are 5 final selection of candidates for Fire Chief. There will be an open house reception this Friday 1 night June 8 at the fire department. This event will be open to the public starting at 7:00 p.m. with light snacks. Will start the testing process on th Saturday June 9 at City hall beginning at 7:45 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. All Aldermen are invited to the Saturday meeting also, but not the public. The th Aldermen should contact the mayor’s office by Thursday June 7. Lunch will be served. I am hopefull to be able to select someone with council’s approval. My goal is two 2 weeks from tonight to make the appointment. Streets & Garbage. Council Action None. Lake, Buildings & Grounds. Council Action None. Alderman Lewis mentioned that at the Mechanical Committee two weeks ago there was discussion for improvements to the Lake area and was approved by a motion and second. Alderman Strandberg ask for permission to make comments on that issue! Alderman Lewis gave him the okay to speak. Alderman Strandberg commented that he was surprised this was not on the agenda tonight. I certainly agree with members of that committee that we really need to have a good look at our lake plan. I’ve heard a lot from the community when I was campaigning we have a third rate facility at the lake. It would be nice to get something going here. My problem, this was brought up in the committee two weeks ago and we can’t do it pell mell. And that’s what it sounded like. If we do decide on improvements for the lake, we need to come up with a Master Plan. I know this Master Plan was talked about before, I was not on the council at that time. So it needs to be brought up to speed. Alderman Schenck said he brought that for discussion in January or February. Alderman Schenck said he had brought up idea for a plan and Alderman Berardi remarked he had a free plan. Alderman Strandberg said he did not want to be accused of wasting tax payers money. Alderman Strandberg then ask Alderman Berardi, do we have a plan yet? Alderman Berardi answered, in March he presented one to 2 council. Out of that transcript I had contacted a developer and Alderman Carl attended the meeting. And there were people who were willing to put up the funding. We had several meetings, and we did have a person for paying of the preliminary things such as design of the camp ground. It was proposed by Alderman Schenck to have Phillips & Associates do a plan for $5,000. Look at the Lake, spending $5,000 is a waste of money. Alderman Berardi said he agrees we need a Master Plan but $5,000 won’t do it. The developer had told us the Lake was our greatest asset as far as development. Alderman Strandberg commented that he agreed. Alderman Berardi continued and said also presented at that meeting was the cost of the shelter. There was a total package to get it done and would be spread over a three year period of time. Alderman Strandberg ask if this plan was a free plan? Alderman Berardi answered, it is not a free proposal and was to be done in steps. There was to be a walking trail, shelter, completely redoing the campground. Also I had complete hook ups donated of upto 4, excavating, electrical, new roof on bath house and plumbing. I have my plan somewhere, but since I am not a committee member and I have not been solicited for anything I have not done anymore. Alderman Strandberg said if you have a plan put together, I certainly did not get one and really need to get moving on this, we’ve lost many months. This is something to look at and get grants, but cannot get grants if we do not have a plan. Alderman Berardi said let me comment, a lot of that work was donated, the dock was to be donated also. And all these things are as good as the grants. Alderman Strandberg ask if those people are willing to donate again? Alderman Berardi answered, not now, but it isn’t anything we can’t pursue again. There was some conflict, not among the aldermen of how this should proceed. There were homeowners and campers that had some 50 questions, and I answered them all. Alderman Strandberg, you say we have a plan? Whose doing this plan? Alderman Berardi answered, these are the steps you need to take an these are the people that’s going to be involved. The total project was $100,000 with combination of Hotel/Motel funds and three year plan for using Lake Development funds. Alderman Strandberg said donations are great, if we don’t do this by bringing this back to committee we’ll put it down and forget about. Mayor Heinze suggested to Alderman Lewis for her to do in a couple of weeks pull this all together. 3 Alderman Schenck said he had shared information of what an example of a “Master Plan” might look like. The Master Plan paints a picture and is a helpful tool of where things go, because it’s outlined, and the cost of each item is listed. The other thing was that Western Illinois University Park & Recreation person was very interested in coming to Canton and looking at the lake with graduate students. We need to put this on the agenda, and help make it happen by spending money wisely. Alderman Sarff suggested all council members receive a copy of Alderman Berardi’s proposal as he does not have one either. Mayor Heinze said we have an opportunity to make the lake a hallmark, maybe even a golden opportunity to have people come to Canton Lake. Appreciate Alderman Carl bringing this to the council. Public Works, Water & Sewer. Council Action None. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR HEINZE. Appointments of Ad Hoc Committee for naming of Fire Building. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/West, the appointments of Public Works Director Clif O’Brien, Fire Chief John Stanko, former Police Chief Michael Elam, former fire fighter Howard Dye, insurance agent Charles Taylor be confirmed. Discussion. Mayor Heinze said is something we could have rushed in this too quickly, so that is why I want to name an ad hoc committee. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Approval of Final Survey Plat of #17 East Side Square Condominium. Motion and second by Aldermen Sarff/Berardi, to accept the Final Survey Plat of #17 for the East Side Square Condominium by Dick Versace and wife and to be signed by the mayor and clerk. Discussion. Interim City Attorney John McCarthy said this has been approved by the plat officer, city engineer, Zoning Officer Clark Wilson and Jim Nelson County Clerk. The city has not signed the plat, that is the approval we need. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Carl, West, Sarff, Berardi, Schenck. NAYS – None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: 4 ORDINANCE – AMENDING SECTION 3-8-4(A) (CLASS A TAVERN LICENSE) OF THE CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE. Second reading, Motion read by title. and second by Aldermen Schenck/Sarff, the ordinance be placed on its passage. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck, Berardi, Sarff, West, Carl, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance being #1906. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION – CANTON PRIDE COMMITTEE PARADE TO BE TH HELD ON WEDNESDAY JULY 4. Motion and second by Aldermen West/Sarff, the resolution be adopted. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Resolution being #3804. Motion Adjournment. and second by Aldermen Lewis/West, to adjourn. The regular scheduled council meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. ______________________________, Nancy Whites, City Clerk APPROVED: _______________________________, Rodney W. Heinze, Mayor 5