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Home My WebLink About01-20-09 Canton City Council Meeting MinutesThe Canton City Council meeting was held on January 20, 2009 in Council Chambers at the Historic Depot, 50 North 4t" Avenue, Canton, Illinois. Those attending -Mayor Kevin R. Meade, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City Treasurer Aaron Anderson, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer, Keith Plavec from Maurer Stutz Inc. and city engineer Keith Plavec, Public Works Director Cliff O'Brien, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supt. Joe Carruthers, Water Treatment Supt. Greg Pollitt, Street Supt. George Spahn, Video Services by Joe Ginger. In the audience -News Media of John Froehling from the Daily Ledger, SRPED Executive Director Mark Rothert, and three unidentified men. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed with the Invocation given by City Clerk Nancy Whites. Mayor Kevin R. Meade asked for roll call at 6:30 p.m. Present: Aldermen - Joe Berardi, Larry Sarff, Craig West, Pamela Ihnes, Jason Strandberg. Absent - Aldermen Eric Schenck, Sonya Lewis. Appointment of Alderman and Oath of Office. Alderman West made the motion the appointment of Gerald Ellis as Alderman in Ward Three (replacing David Nidiffer) be confirmed. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. The motion was by unanimous voice vote. Gerald Ellis was then given the Oath of Office by City Clerk Nancy Whites. CONSENT AGENDA Minutes of Council meeting January 6, 2009 Minutes of Clerical Committee meeting January 13, 2009 Alderman Sarff made the motion all bills properly approved be paid. Was duly seconded by Alderman Ihnes. Discussion. Alderman Berardi commented that Tony Fahrenbruch was never hired by the city. And mayor, you read that letter from Tony where he resigned, and said that a certificate of insurance was not needed? Mayor Meade said he did not say that. Alderman Berardi said, Risk Management Insurance Company said this is a very precarious and the city is liable. Are we liable to workman's comp? Alderman Berardi ask Keith Plavec if 1 he gets a letter from a contractor when someone quits? Keith said no one has ever quit. Mayor Meade said what does this have to do with the minutes? Alderman Berardi said to the mayor, you brought this up by reading the resignation letter from Tony Fahrenbruch. The motion was by unanimous voice vote. BILLS. Alderman Sarff made the motion to approve all bills properly presented for payment. Was duly seconded by Alderman West. Discussion. Alderman Berardi said we have a shotgun policy that was inherited from the last administration. I want all of the Aldermen to stand up and tell me I'm wrong. Then he brought up bills that are from 2006 from Farm King that was presented to be paid. Also a bill from STS dated in August 2008. The bill from Bryan Cave in the amount of $3,424.00. Alderman Berardi said that council was told last month that was the last payment! What is this for? City Attorney Chrissie Peterson commented that she did not know when their billing cycle was. The total bill was $3,954.00 and Chrissie wrote on the bill for Deputy Clerk Diana Tucker "we should not pay for their time after they were fired." Then Alderman Berardi asked about the bill from Comcast where Joe commented the computers for the City were shut off because of none payment. Also there is $10,000 unaccounted for in the Public Works Department. Alderman Berardi said to Mayor Kevin Meade, you know about this and so does the city attorney. Mayor Kevin Meade said he did not know about it! Mayor Kevin Meade asked Alderman Berardi if the bill is on the list? Alderman Berardi, oh, we can't talk about this! When do you want to talk about it? Alderman Strandberg said to Alderman Berardi, do you want to see the bills, I have them right here. You brought up about STS. Alderman Berardi said he did not need to see the bills. Alderman Strandberg answered, you don't want the answers! Public Works Director Cliff O'Brien explained that STS is a temporary part-time position at $13.60 per hour, our employees make $9.05 per hour. Alderman Berardi said I'm asking for more than one month's worth of bills. Alderman Sarff called for the question. Alderman Berardi said he was not done yet. Mayor Kevin Meade, said the question has been called. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Stranderg, Ihnes, Ellis, West, Sarff. NAYS -Alderman Berardi. Mayor Kevin R.Meade voted AYE. 7 AYES, 1 NAY, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. z TREASURER'S REPORT. Alderman Ihnes made the motion to accept the Treasurer's Report. Was duly seconded by Alderman West. Discussion. Aldeman Berardi said he won't vote, not knowing how the money is handled. The motion was by voice vote. 6 AYES and 1 NAY, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Finance -Alderman Jason Strandberg, Chairman IDOT/Economic Development TARP Agreement. Alderman Sarff made the motion to approve of the agreement between the State of Illinois Department of Transportation for a jointly propose to improve designated locations of Third Avenue and Maple Street of 1,968 feet; Third Avenue from Elm Street to Maple Street; from Maple Street to 3rd Avenue, and to 5t" Avenue from back to curb, back to curb for a total dollar amount of $2,014,862.00. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Berardi, Sarff, West, Ellis, Ihnes, Strandberg. NAYS -None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. Legal & Ordinance - No chairman. None. Community & Industrial Development -Alderman Pamela Ihnes. Illinois River Road National Scenic Bvwav Annual Funding request of $7,200.00. Alderman Ihnes made the motion to accept the funding of $7,200.00 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund, for the "Gateway Community" on the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Strandberg, Ihnes, Ellis, West, Sarff, Berardi. NAYS -None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. City of Canton Daily Ledger Advertisment. Alderman Ihnes reported the City of Canton's website with the Daily Ledger will expire at the end of March and the City will not renew the advertisement. 3 Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel -Alderman Larry Sarff, Chairman. None. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR KEVIN R. MEADE - IMRF Statewide meeting. Mayor Kevin R. Meade reported that IML Annual Conference Road Show are having Statewide Meetings on 2008 Investment Returns. Through December 21, 2008, IMRF's investment return has been approximately a negative 25.9%. A loss of approximately $6.2 billion, coupled with a $1 billion charge for interest credited to member and annuitant reserves, would require opening year employer reserve balances to be reduced approximately. Based upon the investment returns through December 21, 2008, all employers will see a drop in their individual funded status. The IMRF Chief Financial Officer has scheduled meetings throughout the state to meet with you and other representatives of your employers to discuss IMRF's recent results and to answer your questions. Mayor Kevin R. Meade said that Deputy Clerk Diana Tucker, Interim City Treasurer Aaron Anderson, and Budget Director John Favorita will be attending the meeting on January 26t", 2009 in Peoria at 10:00 a.m. Mayor Kevin R. Meade reported the City will continued on the limb pick up due to the ice storm. Be patient, the weather is a factor on picking them up. A meeting with IDOT will be scheduled at the Canton High School on January 29tH, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the road improvements on North Main Street, Route 9 to Four Seasons Bowling Alley. Mayor Kevin R. Meade said he met with Ray LaHood who is going to be the head of the Transportation Committee from Washington D.C. on the stimulus funds. Was a very positive meeting. Nice having people in Washington D.C. that knows us. 4 Mayor Meade thanked the city crews and city department heads as it has been tough days, due to the weather. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: ORDINANCE - APPROVING & AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR ADMINISTRATION OF CANTON AREA 4-A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT. First reading, read by title. Alderman Ihnes made the motion to suspend the rules on first reading. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Berardi, Sarff, West, Ellis, Ihnes Strandberg. NAYS -None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. Alderman Ihnes made the motion to place the ordinance on its passage. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Strandberg, Ihnes, Ellis, West, Sarff, Berardi. NAYS -None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance being #1961. ORDINANCE - APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR CANTON IH SITE PROJECT AREA TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT. First reading, read by title. Alderman Ihnes made the motion to suspend the rules on first reading. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Berardi, Sarff, West, Ellis, Ihnes, Strandberg. NAYS -None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS., 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. Alderman Ihnes made the motion to place the ordinance on its passage. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Strandberg, Ihnes, Ellis, West, Sarff, Berardi. NAYS -None. 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance being #1962. ORDINANCE - AMENDING SECTION 3-11-6 (AGE REQUIREMENT) AND REQUESTING THE SERVICES OF A TATTOO OPERATOR. First reading, read by title. City Attorney Chrissie Peterson commented that the change to the ordinance is - no aerson under the aye of eighteen (18) may be tattooed exceat by a physician provided by the statutes of the State of Illinois. Abe verification 5 shall be obtained by government issued identification containing a birth date and photograph. A photocopy of the government issued identification must be retained by the operator for a period not less than twelve (12) months. ORDINANCE -AMENDING THE PERSONNEL POLICY FOR THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS. First reading, read by title. EXECUTIVE SESSION -PERSONNEL; AND, FIRE DEPARTMENT NEGOTIATIONS. Alderman Ihnes made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Personnel; and Fire Negotiations. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. The motion was by unanimous voice vote. The regular scheduled council meeting convened for executive session at 7:33 p.m. The regular scheduled Council meeting reconvened in open session at 7:49 p.m. ADJOURN Being no other business to conduct, Alderman Sarff made the motion to adjourn. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. The motion was by unanimous voice vote. The Council meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Nancy Whites, City Clerk APPROVED: 6 Kevin R. Meade, Mayor