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Home My WebLink About10-02-07 City Council Meeting Minutes A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on October 2, 2007 th in Council Chambers, at 50 North 4 Avenue, Canton, Illinois. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING, FOLLOWED BY THE INVOCATION GIVEN BY NANCY WHITES, CITY CLERK. Mayor Heinze asked for roll call at 6:30 p.m. Present – Aldermen Eric Schenck, Joe Berardi, Larry Sarff, Craig West, David Nidiffer, Kevin Meade, Jason Strandberg, Sonya Lewis. Absent – None. Others in attendance – Mayor Rodney W. Heinze, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City Treasurer Kathy Luker, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, Police Chief Jeffery Fritz, Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer, Public Works Director Cliff O’Brien, Wastewater Treatment Supt. Joe Carruthers, Water Treatment Greg Pollitt, Street Supt. George Spahn, System Maintenance Supt. Bill Terry, Video Services by Joe Ginger. Audience was ASFCME Union members, News Media of Democrat Denise Bankes, WBYS Mark Bixler, Daily Ledger Linda Woods, Journal Star Brenda Rothert; Ashley Harper and Diane Carruthers from Billy’s Tap. MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 COUNCIL MEETING. Motion and second by Aldermen West/Sarff, the minutes of September 18, 2007 be accepted and placed on filed. The motion carried by voice vote MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 MECHANICAL COMMITTEE MEETING. Motion and second by Aldermen Lewis/Schenck, the minutes of September 25, 2007 Mechanical Committee be accepted and placed on file. Discussion. Alderman Berardi brought up that Alderman Sarff talked about this is not the time to discuss bills at the last meeting. Alderman Berardi ask for Alderman Sarff to explain his comment. Alderman Sarff said you had questioned the Police Chief buying T-shirts, I don’t question the legality. On the bills for the amount of the T-shirts the Police Chief was allowed to spend that amount. Alderman Berardi said he wanted this in the minutes and it was not. I want to know what can be discussed and what can’t not be discussed? Alderman Lewis mentioned that the tree that was taken down recently we thought was vandalism, when it was actually the tree had died. Police Chief Jeff Fritz mentioned that he could not find any report recently that a tree had been cut down. The motion carried to approve the minutes, with one nay and 7 ayes. 1 Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Meade, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Schenck. NAYS - Alderman Berardi. 7 AYES, 1 NAY, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Public Safety & Traffic. Council Action Police Vehicle Light Bar. Motion and second by Aldermen Schenck/Strandberg, to approve the purchase of a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor Package from Landmark Ford in Springfield for $20,324.00, and light bar cost of $1,485.00. Discussion. Alderman Berardi asked what the 1996 Jeep Cherokee that is being replaced was used for? Police Chief Jeffrey Fritz said originally was used for K-9 Unit and then became the back up for K-9 Unit. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck, Berardi, Sarff, West, Nidiffer, Meade, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. Streets & Garbage. Council Action Billy’s Tap. Motion and second by Aldermen Strandberg/Nidiffer, to approve of the idea building a beer garden that is removable for the east side of the building. Discussion. (The beer garden will be on the front of Billy’s Tap that faces Second Avenue. A sidewalk will be created on the outer edge of the beer garden next to the road way. Billy’s beer garden will now be setting where parking was allowed on Second Avenue.) Alderman Schenck suggested what should we do for the next one who comes along, that the business owner look at the long term, rather than using city property? Alderman Sarff said we should encourage business owners, and have to rent spaces they give up at $1,000 a piece. Just thrown out that amount. Should not give away city property indefinitely. Alderman Strandberg commented that the city would be gaining a sidewalk back. Don’t see charging a fee would improve the area of gaining a sidewalk. Alderman Sarff said, if we had a fair fee he could vote on tonight. Alderman Berardi said we gave Petersen a lot, Crawford’s lot sold to him for $100, in time Kevin Williams will want something. This is all for nothing, and we’re 2 asking businesses that have been here 50 years and wanting to make money, to pay out more money. Alderman Schenck said the downtown business district is not required to provide own business. In the downtown the city property is right up to the door step. The sidewalk café’s, they’ll be encroaching on city property. Alderman Sarff said in his opinion all projects are increasing business in Canton, and will go on creating $100,000 dollars in taxes. Alderman Nidiffer said, we need to help them succeed as they are part of the community development, and this gives us the opportunity to support business. I support this for those reasons. Alderman Berardi said, the retention of business should be in a development plan, and they should be judged on that. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Meade, West, Berardi, Schenck. NAYS - Alderman Sarff. 7 AYES, 1 NAY, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. Lake, Buildings & Grounds. Council Action None. Public Works, Water & Sewer. Council Action WTP Plant Accelerator Treatment Unit Material. Motion and second by Aldermen Strandberg/Sarff, to approve the purchase of the materials and prepare bids for construction and labor for later on. Alderman Strandberg mentioned the funding would come from the Bond account. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck, Berardi, Sarff, West, Nidiffer, Meade, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. Zoning Officer Job Description. Alderman Strandberg said we have worked to put this job description together and now we are ready for advertising the position, and it needs to begin now and we can list in out of town papers as well as our own. Alderman Sarff wants the staff come to next weeks meeting with a proposal of how much advertising will cost. Alderman Berardi suggested listing the position on the website and Alderman Lewis added with the application as well. 3 Alderman Meade said will have to have couple weeks of interviews. Motion and second by Aldermen Meade/Berardi, accept the job description and advertise the position to be received by October 16 by 5:00 p.m. Discussion. Alderman Meade said that Public Works Department will do advertising. Alderman Berardi said he did not see anything in the job description relating to computer skills. Motion and second added the computer skills to the original motion. Roll call. Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Meade, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Berardi, Schenck. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR HEINZE. Mayor Heinze read the following Proclamation: MINNIE AND FRANK BODEN Whereas, Frank and Minnie Boden have been residents of the City of Canton for twenty years; and Whereas, for the last twenty years they have been picking up litter from the streets and parks of the City of Canton; and Whereas, they often provide this service free-of-charge once, twice or even three times in one day; and Whereas, Frank and Minnie Boden set a wonderful example of quiet volunteerism for others in the community. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Rodney W. Heinze, do hereby present Frank and Minnie Boden with this Proclamation in honor of their long-standing contributions to the beautification of the City of Canton, Illinois. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Rodney W. Heinze, Mayor of the City of nd Canton, do hereby affix my signature this 2 day of October, 2007. Everyone present gave Minnie and Frank Boden a standing ovation. OLD BUSINESS: ORDINANCE – AMENDING SECTION 3-11-6 (AGE REQUIREMENT) AND SECTION 3-11-7(B) (HEALTH & SANITARY REQUIREMENT). Motion Second reading, read by title. and second by Aldermen West/Sarff, the ordinance be placed on its passage. Roll call was asked for and council members remembered the ordinance was adopted by suspension of the rules on first reading. ORDINANCE – REZONING REAL ESTATE FROM AG-1 TO B-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT BY CRAIG HOLTHAUS. 4 Motion and second by Aldermen West/Sarff, the ordinance be placed on its adoption. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Meade, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Berardi, Schenck. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance being #1911. NEW BUSINESS: ORDINANCE – PROVIDING FOR STOP SIGN ON SOUTHBOUND VANBUREN COURT AT THE INTERSECTION OF VANBUREN COURT AND WALNUT STREET FOR A STOP SIGN AT THE NORTH END OF THE ALLEY AT WALNUT STREET. First reading, read by title. RESOLUTION – APPROVING A WATER PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND AMEREN ENERGY RESOURCES GENERATING COMPANY, A SUSBIDIARY OF AMEREN CORPORATION.Motion First reading, read by title. and second by Aldermen Schenck/Sarff, to adopt the resolution. Discussion. Alderman Berardi said he would be voting no, as Ameren is not a good neighbor, they do not allow hunting or fishing on any of their property. They have a huge area out there and they will not talk to the city. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck, West, Nidiffer, Meade, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – Aldermen Berardi, Sarff. 6 AYES, 2 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. Resolution being #3828. RESOLUTION – APPROVING A PRE-ANNEXATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND DAVID & CINDY DAXENBICHLER. Motion First reading, read by title. and second by Aldermen West/Strandberg, the resolution be adopted. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Meade, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Berardi, Schenck. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Resolution being #3829. Alderman Sarff said the Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel Committee will hold an executive session for negotiations with the Public Works Union th beginning at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday October 8, 2007 at the Historic Depot. Alderman Sarff said the executive session may last longer than when the Clerical Committee meeting would begin at 6:30 p.m. 5 Motion Adjournment. and second by Aldermen West/Berardi, to adjourn. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. The regular meeting of the Canton City Council adjourned at 7:11 p.m. _________________________, Nancy Whites, City Clerk APPROVED: ________________________________, Rodney W. Heinze, Mayor 6