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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-2009 Council MeetingA regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on December 15, 2009 in Council Chambers at 50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois. Mayor Kevin R. Meade called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and asked for roll call. Present of the Aldermen -Rick Reed, Eric Schenck, Craig West, Larry Sarff, Jorge Rivero, Gerald Ellis, Jim Hartford. Absent- None. Others in attendance -Mayor Kevin R. Meade, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City Treasurer Aaron Anderson, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, Police Chief W. Dan Taylor, Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer, Public Works Director Cliff O'Brien, City Administrator Jim Snider, Supt Water Treatment Plant Greg Pollitt, Street Supt. George Spahn, System Maintenance Supt Bill Terry, Video Services by Joe Ginger. In the audience -News Media of John Froehling from Daily Ledger; Mark Bixler from WBYS; Stacey Creasy from The Democrat; Kevin Sampler from Journal Star. Also Bruce Melz, Attorney Ron Weber, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Phillips, Attorney Nathan Ihnes, former Police Chief retired Don Edwards, and one unidentified person. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING, FOLLOWED BY THE INVOCATION GIVEN BY CITY CLERK NANCY WHITES. CONSENT AGENDA - Minutes of Council meeting December 1, 2009 Minutes of Clerical Committee meeting December 8, 2009 Alderman West made the motion the Consent Agenda be accepted as printed, and was duly seconded by Alderman Hartford. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote. BILLS. Alderman Schenck made the motion that all bills presented be paid, and was duly seconded by Alderman West. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Hartford, Ellis, Rivero, Sarff, West, Schenck, Reed. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT. 1 City Treasurer Aaron Anderson commented that we have a deficit of $15,000 to date due to the state revenue not being received. Alderman Sarff made the motion the Treasurer's Report be placed on file, and seconded by Alderman Rivero. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance. Council Action Benefit Plannine Consultant Contract. Alderman Schenck made the motion to enter into an agreement to continue the services into 2010 from the 3rd party administrator for our Flex Plan, HRA, & Council meeting 12-15-09 Cobra Administration, and was duly seconded by Alderman Hartford. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Reed, Schenck, West, Sarff, Rivero, Ellis, Hartford. NAYS - None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Legal & Ordinance. Council Action Approval of Closed Session Minutes. Mayor Kevin R. Meade said that first they will be discussed in executive session to determine which minutes to release. Then the Council will come back into open session and make that determination by motion and second. Community & Industrial Development. Council Action Hotel/Motel request for uperade website at a cost of 52,000. z Alderman Rivero made the motion to allow for the upgrade of the website at a cost of $2,000, and was duly seconded by Alderman Hartford. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Hartford, Ellis, Rivero, Sarff, West, Schenck, Reed. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. City of Canton Reauest for proposal selline of real property at 59 & 61 East Side S uare. Alderman Rivero made the motion to go out for bids for the first floor only, the second floor only, or the entire two-story building, plus the real property, with bids due January 19, 2010, and was duly seconded by Alderman Rivero. Discussion. Mayor Kevin R. Meade stated that the first bid that came in was rejected and there could be others that are interested. Are you interested in listing outside of the local market? Alderman Sarff said I think we should advertise for bids in the Peoria area and he said he does not know if anyone else is interested in doing this on the website. Alderman Ellis said he was under the impression from Mark Rothert there was an interested party from the Peoria area. Mayor Meade said he would ask Mark Rothert if he could suggest any other media. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Reed, Schenck, West, Sarff, Rivero, Ellis, Hartford. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel. Council Action Workplace Harassment Trainins. Alderman Sarff made the motion the committee recommended payment of $474.00 to the Illinois Department of Human Rights for training of all city employees in the work place for the subject of harassment, and was duly seconded by Alderman Rivero. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Hartford, Ellis, Council meeting 12-15-09 Rivero, Sarff, West, Schenck, Reed. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR - 3 The U.S. Census Bureau is now hiring temporary local field employees. Local testing is now being held at the following locations -Farmington Municipal Building, December 16 and 30; Canton First Baptist Church, December 15 and 22; Fiatt Independence Church, December 28; Astoria Municipal Building, December 23 and Pekin IDES (Unemployment Office), December 16, 21, 23, 28, 30; Canton YMCA, January 7, 14, 21 and 28. Each person applying are required to take an employment test. Jobs pay between $10.45 and $15.00 per hour plus $.55 a mile reimbursement. Mayor Kevin R. Meade stated it is nice to watch in the downtown of the facade improvements taking shape from the grant funding. Official Time Out put up awnings, Fulton Square doing work on their buildings, exciting to see Third Avenue taking shape. The Coleman Clinic new building is taking shape and enclosed in for the winter work. Kind of fun right now at this time of year watching all the construction jobs. The Christmas Walk was held last Friday night and the Chamber of Commerce did a great job putting this together. The mayor thanked everyone. Employee Recognition. Mayor Kevin R. Meade gave a plaque to George Spahn the Street Superintendent who will retire on December 18, 2009. Mayor Kevin Meade said George has worked for the City 20 years, and George is the kind of employee you like to have working for you. He did his work quietly and performed many task such as the leaf program, snow removal, GABBY Days. George is a phenomenal employee and we will miss him greatly. Public Works Director Cliff O'Brien also honored George Spahn with a gold watch with the dates of his hiring until his retirement date. Also on the watch is his nickname "Bulldog" and he got that name years ago. George has been a good friend of mine and a good friend to the City. And he will be missed. George Spahn said - it has been a pleasure and an honor to work for the City of Canton some 20 years, and I feel fortunate, I really do. It was great to work with everyone. Anew door has opened in my life and I'm going to go through it. Thank you very much I really appreciate it. OLD BUSINESS: 4 ORDINANCE -PROVIDING THAT THE WEST ALLEY BETWEEN LOTS 9 TO 16 IN ANDERSON'S FIRST ADDITION BE-ONE WAY FROM SOUTH TO NORTH, FROM LINN STREET TO CHERRY STREET. Second reading and read by title. Alderman Hartford made the motion the ordinance be placed on its passage, and was duly Council meeting 12-15-09 seconded by Alderman Ellis. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Reed, Schenck, West, Sarff, Rivero, Ellis, Hartford. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance being number 1194. ORDINANCE -LEVYING AND ASSESSING TAXES FOR CORPORATE PURPOSES OF THE CITY OF CANTON, ILLINOIS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2009, AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2010. Second reading and read by title. Alderman Sarff made the motion the ordinance be placed on its passage, and was duly seconded by Alderman Schenck. Discussion -Alderman Reed said he had a real problem moving forth on this ordinance. The property owners of Canton have been burden with taxes quite a bit. I like to see the taxes be paid by the General Fund. We could maybe pay this tax through the sales tax and still give the services to the community. Alderman Reed made a motion to amend the ordinance to have the tax paid by the General Fund of $428,000, and was duly seconded by Alderman West. Discussion -Alderman Schenck stated this tax levy is really driven by increase cost of the pension programs of municipality employees, fire and police. And the pensions were all set up by the State not the city. They are expenses we are not able to affect and they have to be paid. Already it is an issue about how they will be paid, or paid through property taxes or other means. It's really hard to have a balance budget every year. We've been fortunate that we've kept a fiscally sound budget and not necessarily immune from other financial impacts of the economic downturn and late payments to the City. I won't vote for the amendment, and that does not mean I'm for taxes than anyone else. Alderman Sarff said we do have a reserve fund and one of the reasons we have it, when our normal income sources don't meet our expectations, or, are late due to circumstances beyond our control, and we have then something to draw from. If this would be for one year instance, I think it might be something that could be 5 considered, but it's not. I think it would be irresponsible to not do it now, and, not because I want to. I will be voting against the amendment also. Alderman Reed said, isn't there a way we could ear mark sales tax to take care of this financial burden? City Administration Jim Snider said we have done a good job communicating. The reason for the increase is the pension cost. Those cost are not diminishing, they are increasing. It's not a one year event and certainly you could earmark sales tax monies for that, but from a budgetary standpoint you need to approach it respectively and not reactionary. If that's your choosing, I would recommend during the budget process for next year that you would carve not a portion of your General Fund revenues, and then fund that pension portion next year with that money. Now by doing that you're going to reduce services and mainly capital expenditures that department heads are going to be looking to spend. Our sales tax revenue is in reality flat. A recession is going on we've seen reduction flatly of our sales tax revenue. Again, certainly we could do that if the amendment would pass. It would require a budget amendment and our balance budget was passed. Right now the treasurer mentioned we have $15,000 deficit currently and would turn into additional deficit as well. I don't think Council meeting 12-15-09 physiologically the point Alderman Reed, is correct. I do think from my point of view from the budget standpoint we need to be respective of that and plan on that in the future so we can be fiscally prudent with our finances. Roll call (for taking $428, 000 from the General Fund). AYES -Aldermen West, Reed. NAYS -Aldermen Hartford, Ellis, Rivero, Sarff, Schenck. 2 AYES, 5 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Amendment defeated. Alderman West made the motion to amend by the City paying %2 of the $428,000, and was duly seconded by Alderman Reed. Discussion -Alderman West if we tighten our belts we can help the citizens. Mayor Meade said paying half would be $214,000 out of the General Fund to subsidize. Alderman Reed said one thing to remember is what we have in reserve funds that are in place, and we need to do all we can to help our citizens in our community. If not in full amount I would like to support the % payment for this tax being paid by the General Fund. So I ask for your support. Roll call. (Amendment of paying 6 for the total of $214,000). AYES -Aldermen Reed, West, Rivero. NAYS - Aldermen Schenck, Sarff, Ellis, Hartford. 3 AYES, 4 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Voting on passage of ordinance -Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Hartford, Ellis, Rivero, Sarff, Schenck. NAYS -Aldermen West, Reed. Mayor Kevin R. Meade then voted AYE in case of need for voting. Alderman Schenck said he wants to express his appreciation of Aldermen Rivero, West, and Reed. This is not an easy issue. I'm glad to see all of the aldermen engaged in this with ideas and concerns for the community. Mayor Kevin Meade said we raise taxes and we can lower taxes, and we have a number of times in the last few years. And I would hope next year if things are good and we could be able to have a tax decrease. One thing I had not thought of was the sales tax. One way to increase sales tax is by referendum and maybe citizens given a choice of rather have sales tax increase or property tax. 3 AYES, 2 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance number being 1195. NEW BUSINESS: ORDINANCE -REZONING CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNED BY GRAHAM HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, FROM A R-3 ZONING CONFIGURATION TO A R-4 ZONING CONFIGURATION. First reading and read by title. Attorney Nathan Ihnes spoke about the Graham Hospital who is the owner of the Kelly Home. My client is looking to move his office into the former Kelly Home and has to have the zoning change. It is a good fit for the buyer. The owner would like to have this in place by the end of the year. Alderman Sarff made the motion to suspend the rules for placing the ordinance on its passage, and was duly seconded by Alderman Ellis. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Reed, Schenck, West, Sarff, Rivero, Ellis, Hartford. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Council meeting 12-15-09 Alderman Sarff made the motion the ordinance be placed on its passage, and was duly seconded by Alderman Hartford. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Hartford, Ellis, Rivero, Sarff, West, Schenck, Reed. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance being number 1196. ORDINANCE - GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE OPERATION OF A PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTUAL OFFICE AT 344 WEST CHESTNUT STREET TO WILLIAM F. PHILLIPS, PHILLIPS AND ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS, INC. AND ANY SUCCESSIVE PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTUAL ENTITIES OF WILLIAM F. PHILLIPS. First reading and read by title. Attorney Nathan Ihnes asked for this ordinance to be passed on first reading in order for Bill Phillips to be able to get the paper work by year ending. Alderman Sarff made the motion to suspend the rules by placing the ordinance on its passage, and was duly seconded by Alderman Reed. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Reed, Schenck, West, Sarff, Rivero, Ellis, Hartford. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Alderman Sarff made the motion the ordinance be placed on its passage, and was duly seconded by Alderman Reed. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Hartford, Ellis, Rivero, Sarff, West, Schenck, Reed. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance number being 1197. ORDINANCE -AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2009/2010 MUNICIPAL BUDGET ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE 1974, AND DECLARING THAT THIS RESOLUTION SHALL BE IN FULL FORCE IMMEDIATELY. First reading and read by title. ORDINANCE -ABATING ALL OF THE BOND LEVY FOR THE 2009/2010 FISCAL YEAR ($26,430,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT ALTERNATE REVENUE BONDS SERIES 2005). First reading and read by title. Alderman West made the motion to suspend the rules for the purpose of placing the ordinance on its passage, and was duly seconded by Alderman Ellis. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Reed, Schenck, West, Sarff, Rivero, Ellis, Hartford. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Alderman West made the motion to place the ordinance on its passage, and was duly seconded by Alderman Ellis. Roll call. AYES -Aldermen Hartford, Ellis, Rivero, Sarff, West, Schenck, Reed. NAYS -None. 7 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Ordinance being number 1198. s ORDINANCE -ABATING ALL OF THE BOND LEVY FOR THE 2008-2009 FISCAL YEAR ($1,150,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT ALTERNATE REVENUE BONDS SERIES 2002). Mayor Kevin R. Meade said this ordinance will not be needed anymore as those alternate revenue bonds series 2002 were paid off on December 1St, 2009. RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE IMLRMA MINIMUM/MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. First reading and read by Council meeting 12-15-09 title. Alderman Schenck made the motion the resolution be adopted, and was duly seconded by Alderman Hartford. Discussion - Alderman Schenck said this changes the Risk Insurance to a reduction of the premium upfront. This is a risk the community has to accept. Alderman Ellis commented that the department heads should be very cautious with safety issues. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Resolution being number 3911. AGREEMENT -JON AND KIM NEWBORN TIF REDEVELOPMENT. Mayor Kevin R. Meade said this would be held over as the agreement is not available at this time. Alderman Ellis made the motion to go into - EXECUTIVE SESSION - TO DISCUSS MINUTES LAWFULLY CLOSED UNDER THE OMA FOR PURPOSES OF APPROVAL BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND/OR SEMI ANNUAL REVIEW OF MINUTES 5 ILCS 120/2 (C) 21, and was duly seconded by Alderman Hartford. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. This portion of the regular scheduled Council meeting convened for executive session at 7:10 p.m. The regular scheduled Council meeting reconvened in open session at 7:29 p.m. to conduct the following business - Alderman Hartford made the motion to approve of the city attorney's recommendation of releasing and what to hold for executive session minutes of 7-19-05, and other executive minutes beyond that time frame, and was duly seconded by Alderman Ellis. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 9 ADJOURN Being no further business to conduct the regular scheduled Council meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Nancy Whites, City Clerk APPROVED: Kevin R. Meade, Mayor so