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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-08 Clerical Committee Meeting Minutes The Canton City Council Clerical Committee was held on September 9, 2008 in th Council Chambers at the Historic Depot, 50 North 4 Avenue, Canton, Illinois. Mayor Kevin R. Meade called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Aldermen Present – Eric Schenck, Joe Berardi, Larry Sarff, David Nidiffer, Jason Strandberg, Sonya Lewis. Absent – Alderman Craig West, Pam Ihnes. Present – Mayor Kevin R. Meade, City Clerk Nancy Whites, Interim City Treasurer Julie Smick, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, Police Chief W. Dan Taylor, Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer, Public Works Director Clif O’Brien, Wastewater Treatment Supt. Joe Carruthers, Street Supt. George Spahn, System Maintenance Supt. Bill Terry, Video Services by Joe Ginger. In the audience – SRPED Executive Director Mark Rothert and Brenda, Mary Kay and sister. Tony Fahrenbrunch, Roy Hopper, Jim Stratton and several residents of Westgate Subdivision, news media of John Froehling from Daily Ledger, and Mark Bixler from WBYS. Legal & Ordinance Chairman – Alderman David Nidiffer Westgate Subdivision/Water Rates/Pre-Annexation. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson mentioned she was up dating of a map of Pre- Annexation with Keith Plavec of Maurer Stutz Inc., we found the home owners were not paying the double rates of water which are 11 accounts. On August 26, held an open meeting and couple of council members came to the meeting. All of the eleven accounts are not paying the correct amounts. They had a spokesman for them and all were hesitate in signing for a pre-annexation agreement. Gayle Moffit spoke Tuesday night for the Westgate Subdivision residents and she said they want to find some comparable ground. We did not know such a ordinance existed. No subject of pre-annexation or sign any paper work was th mentioned. The first eight of us living there were not told, but the 9 house was told by the water department. Gayle said all 9 of them have various reasons for not willing to sign a pre-annexation agreement. 1 Alderman Berardi said whose fault is this, the City!? This starts at the top. We have know leadership. Don’t ask these residents to fix your screw-up. How do you turn water on when you don’t have a check list. If these residents hire a lawyer, so will the City. Alderman Sarff asked Gayle if she was asked to come here and speak? She said she was not ask! Alderman Strandberg said we don’t need to screw-up again, we need to grandfather these residents in. I don’t care who screwed-up, to me it is a done issue. Alderman Berardi said if these residents sale their homes, the next buyer signs a pre-annexation agreement. Alderman Sarff and Nidiffer wanted to not make a decision tonight and to discuss in executive session. Mayor Kevin Meade we don’t need to discuss in executive nor go to Council. We move forward from here. Alderman Sarff said something could change, and we would need to talk to the City Attorney. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson mentioned that she could draft an ordinance as a bank may not know if there is a foreclosure on it. It will be clear to those for generations to come. Alderman Berardi said a resolution is a very simple thing, and we don’t want an ordinance, as it won’t make it any clearer. Alderman Sarff make the motion to direct the City Attorney Chrissie Peterson to draft such an ordinance. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. The Sale of Lot #13 of the Industrial Park. Tony Fahrenbruch said he was given two options to expand his business, and have 200% of employees over existing employee. He wants to drop both A & B from the agreement. Tony said he has one full-time and one part-time employee. Alderman Berardi said he was not for eliminating A & B options in the agreement. This was the original intent, and is not in the spirit of what a TIF District is. Have not seen any specifications on a building you plan on building. What is the taxes frozen at, one hundred percent? 2 Alderman Strandberg answered, it’s the value of the property, not what the sale of the property brings. Mayor Kevin Meade said it is the access valuation of what you’re paying today, if improvements to land are made, then you’re access valuation raises. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson mentioned that the City offered the property out for bid, and Tony was the only bidder. Mayor Kevin Meade said we’re talking about a swamp, and Tony would be saving the City $90,000.00. I feel he is doing the City a great deal by saving us money. Tony said he could write a check for $90,000 and I could ask for the road to be put in, and the curb and guttering also. I feel it is a great savings to the City. Mayor Kevin Meade said economic development is a risk. I would not have patience’s that Tony has. He brought a business to this community, and I believe him when he tells me he is successful. Will I risk that he will build in two years, yes! I’m willing to take that risk. We’re suppose to make it easy for business’s, not difficult. Mayor Meade thanked Tony for his patience’s. Alderman Sarff made the motion to accept the agreement as written, and refer to council. Was duly seconded by Alderman Nidiffer. Discussion. Alderman Schenck said he would like to see the land go to Tony. I believe Tony is doing this for the right reasons. Tony said the ground will be back to city standards. Alderman Berardi said Tony should be issued a ticket. Tony answered, I find that appalling, what have I done wrong here? I can go to Cuba with my business. I am appalled. Do you have a problem with me? Alderman Berardi answered, I don’t care if you like me or not. Then Alderman Strandberg, Tony and Alderman Nidiffer were all talking at once. Alderman Berardi calls for a point of order as he is talking and got interrupted. Alderman Nidiffer asked City Attorney Chrissie Peterson if he could ask for Tony to speak? Chrissie commented, the chairman can ask any one he so chooses. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Resolution for Pre-Annexation Agreement with Ray Swise. Alderman Strandberg made the motion to refer the resolution to council. Was duly seconded by Alderman Sarff. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. 3 th 604 North 11 Avenue. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson mentioned at the last time of discussion Mr. Christy was told to bring an engineer’s opinion. Mr. Christy had done that and the engineer’s had mentioned of 8 things needing done before the winter of 08/09. Chrissie said she had talked with Mr. Christy by phone. He was wondering about the time limit. And if he cannot get things done by then, council can file condemnation proceedings. Alderman Sarff made the motion to refer to council. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. The Legal & Ordinance Committee adjourned at 7:21 p.m. Community & Industrial Development Alderman Pam Ihnes, Chairman Alderman Sarff chaired the committee in the absence of Chairman Pam Ihnes. Update SRPED Executive Director. Hy-Vee has a building next to their grocery store that is empty and a Dollar Tree is going in there. Which is a good thing. True Value feels Canton has an opportunity, and they need a local manager to run the store. Checked on the IDOT Enhancement Grant, and will know sometime this fall if will receive. The TIF District meeting was cancelled that was scheduled for yesterday. Will reschedule. Planning an open forum with consulting firms, and open to other public bodies. Council can ask questions and others also as to why the city wants to create a TIF District? Alderman Schenck said this is great to get dialog. Randolph Building on the way, see the windows are now in on the second building. And have colored brick at the bottom of the windows. 4 Another project is the rebuilding on the former Drow Hardware vacant lot. Had an in depth meeting with Tony Rolando of the Illinois Department of Commerce and also with Mayor Kevin Meade. Talked about the high school students from the Building & Trades program working with Skilled Labor Unions. They would build a building for commercial use. Mark thanked Tony for his expertise. Former Feaster’s building, now is a vacant lot. The owner has had long talks with the Odd Fellows Lodge members about the building next door to the former Feaster’s building. This is about the retaining wall which now sits on low grade due to the Feaster Building burning down. Alderman Schenck mentioned that he sees green space for a potential need because of living in the downtown area. Some committee might look into that. Alderman Berardi said he wants to see the plans of where to park for the Randolph building. Who has the plans and who designated the parking? Alderman Schenck suggested having staff look at where parking is available. Mark Rothert mentioned that the Streetscape Plan has identified the parking. The Main & Locust Street lot, looks like a promising adventure for the City. Maid-Rite received their building permit. Roy Hopper from the Canton American Legion gave information on a building of 12x21 and 7 feet high with the South end of the building being on Hickory Street. The America Legion will purchase a car port for outdoor seating. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson said the building has to have the sides open according to city ordinances. They are wanting an outdoor facility and to be able to sell liquor for all year. Mayor Meade said, If no one has any objections I will sign the license. This will be listed under mayor’s communication at next week’s meeting. The Community & Industrial Committee adjourned at 7:50 p.m. 5 Finance Alderman Jason Strandberg, Chairman Bids for two Garbage Trucks. The following are the bidders that bid with two of the City’s Garbage Trucks as trade-ins. Elliott Equipment $231,788.00 and $207,460.00 McNeilus $242,590.00 Centre State $247,936.00 Dave Gill $247,950.00 Alderman Sarff made the motion to refer to staff for review and recommendation, then to council. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Bills. Alderman Berardi wanted to know when the relationship with Bell Boyd & Lloyd ended? Mayor Kevin Meade said he would get the date to Alderman Berardi. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson mentioned that the consensus with Mr. Michael Ohm, we have not received a letter from Mr. Ohm. Alderman Sarff said we talked about the IH site and then we ask for his letter. (Michael Ohm worked with Bell Boyd & Lloyd and he left their firm while working with the City of Canton on behalf of International Truck & Engine.) Alderman Berardi wanted to know about a bill from Spoon River College for training. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson mentioned they are for Excel classes for two hours, and for two days a week, for City Clerk Nancy Whites, Chrissie Peterson, Mayor’s Secretary Carol Kohler, Deputy Clerk Diana Tucker, Public Works Secretary Nancy Mackey. Alderman Berardi said to Chrissie, do you work full-time? Chrissie said she did. Alderman Berardi said he has been up there and you are not there on Monday’s. Chrissie said she does work full-time. Alderman Berardi said that nobody up there works full-time. Alderman Sarff said he has 24 people off the floor at any one time taking training classes. 6 Alderman Sarff made the motion to refer to council. Was duly seconded by Alderman Nidiffer. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Treasurer’s Report. Revenues exceeded the 33% . Most departments are below their percentages. Alderman Nidiffer made the motion to refer to council. Was duly seconded by Alderman Sarff. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Interim City Treasurer Julie Smick mentioned that the investment bonds have a CD that will mature on October 15 with various banks. Julie mentioned that her, the mayor and Finance Chairman Alderman Jason Strandberg will get together to discuss their options. Alderman Strandberg said he wants to avoid what took place last year. When we come to a decision will send e-mails to the council members. Julie said they will look at the rates, and will bring them to council members. Mayor Kevin Meade mentioned that the amounts will be $500,000 up to two million maximum. Most of the bond money brings arbitrage rates. Alderman Schenck mentioned to check with Keith Plavec of what will be needed for the water line extension project. Julie Smick said she had to remove from the Illinois funds $1,500,000.00. The General Fund owes the Working Cash Fund some money. Have to remove some money from a CD from the General Fund to put back in the Working Cash Fund. This will put us below the three months reserves. The Finance Committee adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel Alderman Larry Sarff, Chairman Oath of Office to Jarrod Smith and Josh Wages, new police officers. City Clerk Nancy Whites gave the oath. Personnel Policy for clarification of Section 12.5 Retirement Insurance. City Clerk Nancy Whites brought up Section 12.5. 7 The Section in question reads – Employees and Department Heads including the Mayor and elected officials (hereinafter retiree) with less than 20 years of service who retire and are eligible to receive a pension under the provisions of the Police and Fireman’s Pension Fund or have become entitled to benefits under the IMRF retirement provisions, and has reached the age of 55 years will be eligible to have the City pay a proportionate amount of applicable employee premium based on years of service (x/20). Next paragraph reads – If any employee, elected official or department head, retires eligible for IMRF benefits or eligible for a pension under the Police and Firemen’s Pension Fund, and with less than 20 years of service, then the City will pay the full amount of the employees applicable healthcare premium. Nancy commented that the last paragraph does not list what qualifies them to have the full amount of the employees applicable healthcare premium paid? Alderman Sarff said for Nancy to ask negotiation attorney Bruce Beal to make the section more clear and to provide the propose language. Personnel Policy should be revised. Deputy Clerk Diana Tucker had talked with Bruce about the Section listed above and he said the policy should be rewritten. Alderman Sarff asked for Nancy to get with Bruce Beal to review and to propose language changes. Elected Officials’ Salaries. Mayor Kevin Meade mentioned we have to make decisions in October, so tonight I am letting you know this is coming up. We have talked about making the th position of City Treasurer part-time. These have to be decided by November 4 as it has to be 6 months before taking office. Elected officials salaries cannot be lowered or become higher while in office. The Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel Committee adjourned at 8:20 p.m. for the executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION – NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS – POLICE UNION GRIEVANCE; AND, PERSONNEL. 8 The Clerical Committee adjourned at 8:20 p.m. for an executive session to discuss personnel and police union grievance. ADJOURN The Clerical Committee adjourned into open session at 9:40 p.m. No motion nor second was made to adjourn the meeting. Recording Secretary, Nancy Whites, City Clerk 9