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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-1992 Clerical Clerical Committee City Council Chambers November 10, 1992 6:30 P.M. Menbers Present: Larry Sarff, Jerry Bohler, Kevin Meade Others Present: Don Edwards, Jim Elson, Clif O'Brien, Gary Orwig, Ray McKinney, James Elson, George Spahn, Jim May, Chris Spears, Harry Steck, Mike Elam, Bob DeRenzy, Dick Coay, Ross Gardiner, Gladys Young, Don Hopper Finance Committee Larry Sarff, Chairman Cliff O'Brien addressed the Committee concerning the loader. He stated that the bushings in the loader are bad and are becoming a safety hazard. These bushings are not available for replacement. Clif stated he had looked at some lease options for the purchase of a new loader. He stated that this loader is used at the water and sewer plants and feels that there would be enough justification to have these departments partially pay for the loader. Clif anticipated the total cost to be $75-80,000. Clif stated he had looked at and operated a Cat, John Deere and Case loader and would like to get quotes. He stated these three are made in America and repairs would be readily available. Clif informed the Committee that the lease for the backhoe, which is $4950 per year, is up and he would like to put these together as a package to see if the city could get abetter deal. Discussion. A motion was made by Jerry Bohler and seconded by Kevin Meade to allow Clif to get quotes for the lease and/or lease/purchase of a backhoe and loader. Pat stated that she felt a 50/50 split could be justified with the water and sewer departments. The motion was amended to provided for sealed bids, to be returned December 15, 1992. Second agreed. Voice vote. Motion carried. The steel main was next. Ray McKinney suggested that this item be deleted from the agenda until a later date. Committee agreed. Clif O'Brien addressed the Committee concerning repairs needed on a garbage truck. He stated that the 1984 IH Cargostar is in need of an engine overhaul. He stated that Rick Tieken had provided a list of replacement parts and the work needed to be done. Clif stated that this would be an in-chassis overhaul and he would like to get sealed bids for the repair of the garbage truck. A motion was made by Kevin Meade and seconded by Jerry Bohler to have Clif get sealed bids for the repair of the garbage truck and to have the bids brought to the City Council meeting of November 17, 1992. Voice vote. Motion carried. 1 ~IM- Mike Elam addressed the Committee with a request to purchase a chair for the dispatchers. He stated this chair is used 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The cost would be $423.72. A motion was made by Kevin Meade and seconded by Jerry Bohler to approve the purchase of the chair from Office Interiors by Widmer. Voice vote. Motion carried. Ray McKinney addressed the Committee with a request to go out for bids for anew heavy half ton pick up truck. He stated that the truck Dennis Ronk drives, 1982 CAC, has 116,000 miles on it, is using two quarts of oil and is in need of an overhaul. Rick Tieken has estimated the cost of the overhaul to be $1500 without the replacement of the clutch. Ray stated that he would give Dennis his truck and drive the new one, if one were purchased. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Kevin Meade and seconded by Jerry Bohler to allow Ray McKinney to go out for bids for a new truck. Voice vote. Motion carried. Bills were next. One item was discussed - the cost of tires and tire repairs for the garbage department. Clif stated that the cost of the tires is cheaper than the state bid and the repairs are also cheaper than other local shops. A motion was made by Jerry Bohler and seconded by Kevin Meade to send the bills to City Council as presented. Voice vote. Motion carried. No further business was discussed and the Finance Committee was adjourned. Negotiations, Grievance and Personnel Committee Bob Molleck, Chairman The first item was the drug testing. James Elson stated that this is being worked on. No action was necessary at this time. The job description and the salary for the city treasurer was discussed next. The Committee reviewed the changes to the job description. It was noted that an amendment should be made to provide for the publication of the annual report to reflect the requirements of the state statute. Discussion. A motion was made by Kevin Meade and seconded by Jerry Bohler to send the amended ordinance to the city council for approval. Voice vote. Motion carried. The Committee discussed the salary for the position of city treasurer. Mayor Edwards stated that he had talked to most of the aldermen and the consensus was $18,000 for the salary. Discussion. A motion was made by Kevin Meade and seconded by Jerry Bohler to increase the salary of the city treasurer to $18,000 per year for the next four years. Harry Steck stated he is opposed due to the financial constraints of the city. He stated that he thought Pat was worth the increase but he was opposed to ali the other raises and had to oppose this one as well. Voice vote. Motion carried. 2 No further business was discussed and the Negotiations, Grievance and Personnel Committee was adjourned. Carmunity and Industrial Development Carmittee Kevin Meade, Chairman The first item of discussion was the Director's report. Chris informed the Committee he had received a letter from Alan Hansen stating that CIC is willing to pay off the Fmt-IA debt in stock. The Committee was informed that CIC presented the city with $80,000 worth of stock this week with a value of $3.75 per share. Chris stated he had checked with Edward D. Jones and found the market value to sell the stock was at $3.50. It was noted that the city has a two year time frame on selling CIC stock and there will be stock available in January the city can sell. Mayor Edwards stated that the latest rumor is that there will be an auction next Tuesday to the bare walls and the company intends on walking. He stated that he would like to see CIC provide the lots to the city free and clear since they are marketable and had been agreed upon in exchange for the DCCA debt. It was noted that back taxes are owed on the lots. Discussion followed on the lots and the possibility of selling the stocks available. A motion was made by Kevin Meade to have Chris Spears and James Elson look at the possibility of selling the stock the city has authority to sell. Seconded by Larry Sarff. Voice vote. Motion carried. Chris asked if the Committee wanted to look at implementing a hotel/motel tax. Discussion followed concerning the city ability to implement such a tax. A motion was made by Larry Sarff and seconded by Jerry Bohler to have Chris look into the matter further. Voice vote. Motion carried. At this time Gerald Hall, the attorney for the Milwaukee Bulk Terminal company, addressed the Committee concerning a possible lease of part of the property in Banner owned by the city. He stated that the company is interested in leasing the northern portion of the property, which contain the docks, for a transfer location. He stated that fertilizer and agricultural products would be loaded and unloaded by crane into and out of barges. The site would contain no storage facility. The company would have approximately a half million dollars invested in personal property in the form of equipment and would employ five to eight persons during the river season, March through November. The company would like to have a long term lease. Chris stated he talked with President Fillingham of Banner and Ernie Slater, the road com~nissioner for Banner Township concerning the use of the road to the property. He also talked with Bili Douglas of the Department of Conservation and stated Mr. Douglas was concerned with the impact on the boat ramp to be constructed in Banner. Bob Anderson suggested that the lease provide for the city's ability to have test wells and the construction of a well if a line were to be run from the river to Canton. Mayor Edwards stated that the lease should be profitable for the city and the city should help protect Banner Township and 3 the Village of Banner. The weight of the trucks, the possible number of trucks, and the time table were questioned. Mr. Hall stated that he felt the time table for the lease should be fairly soon due to the barge season. Mayor Edwards suggested Mr. Hall meet with President Fillingham and Road Commissioner Slater concerning this matter. Discussion followed. Larry Sarff suggested that due to the time frame, the matter be referred to the Lake, Buildings and Grounds Committee on November 24, 1992 for further discussion. Committee agreed. The next item was a discussion of the railroad depot. Chris Spears stated that Rod Ahitow had planned on being at the meeting but called to say he would not be available. Mr. Ahitow has proposed the correctional center adopt the depot as a community project to renovate the structure. At a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting, they expressed their continued interest in renting space in the building. The prison would provide free labor for the renovation. The city would finance the endeavor with TIF 4B funds and would have to come up with the plans for renovation. Pat Wright stated that the fund has approximately $62,000. Pat stated that the city needs to have a plan for the TIF funds. Mayor F_dwards stated the proposal is a good idea and would be an ideal place for the chamber with possibly one room for city council meetings. He stated there is a senior citizens group who is also wanting space. He suggested that one room be made available for community groups. Discussion followed on who should look at the building to develop a plan and what could be done in the interim. A motion was made by Jerry Bohler and seconded by Larry Sarff to have Chris Spears notify the warden to have personnel put up the vinyl soffits and remove the sub-floor on the north end of the building. Voice vote. Motion carried. No further business was discussed and the Community and Industrial Development Committee was adjourned. Legal and Ordinance Committee Jerry Bohler, Chairman The first item was the affirimative action plan. James stated this is in the process and the matter was tabled at this time. The rezoning of property located at 705 North Main Street was next on the agenda. Jerry Bohler informed the Committee he had received a petition with over 300 signatures opposing the location of the ice cream store and made a motion to place the petition on file. Seconded by Kevin Meade. Voice vote. Motion carried. At this time the chairman stated the committee would hear from the petitioners and then allow the opposition to address the matter. Tad Putrich, representing the petitioners, addressed the Committee. Mr. Putrich stated that the traffic has been an issue and stated that it is bad now and won't get any better. He stated they do not 4 want to add to it. He stated they feel that in the future Main Street will be five lane, four for traffic and a turn lane. If that occurs, the residential property along this area will be worth less due to additional traffic and will have a road in their front yards. He stated that commercial property is worth more than residential property and taxes are higher for commercial property than residential property. Mr. Putrich stated that if this request for rezoning is denied, it wlli send a message to larger businesses, such as Wendy's, of the future. In regard to the renters of the house, he stated they will have ample time to move. There will be a fence along the property, not chain link but an ornamental fence. He stated that there has been a suggestion of locating in a difference place, but some locations were too high in price and some had gas tanks which would have to be removed. The petitioners feel that 100 small businesses are better than one large business, that was evident with International Harvester. He stated they have several businesses now, a marine business, plumbing business, storage facilities, commercial rental property and several residential rental properties. Mr. Putrich stated that all along Main Street there has been strip zoning. He stated he felt the Comprehensive Plan is out of date. This rezoning has been referred to by WBYS as a disaster - a disaster is a nuclear waste dump in the downtown. If the shop was located in the vicinity of Chubbs, there would still be added traffic on Myrtle Street. Mr. Putrich stated that there was marketing research done, they know how many cars leave the high school area. He stated that if Wendy's were to come to Canton they would pay more money than they are - this may create adjacent property owners to shoot themselves in the foot if this rezoning is turned down. At this time Steve Bordner, representing some of the residents of the area, addressed the Committee. He stated he had some cormients and other interested parties would like to address the issue briefly. He stated that the the question is whether the change in the zoning is best for the city. The Comprehensive Plan was developed in 1986 with lots of thought being put Into it and they feel it should not be thrown out. He stated that on pages 138-139 provides for the protection against encroachment upon the residential character and integrity. Mr. Bordner stated that if this rezoning is passed: it will violate the residential integrity of the area which existed in 1986 when the plan was adopted; the drive up for the ice cream store is not permissible in a B-2 zoning, according to 10-9-2(I) of the zoning ordinance except as a special use exception provided that the entrance or exit is at least 100 feet from the intersection of two streets; with the lot being 61'x 100' and the required setbacks, 20' back yard, 25' front yard and a 10' buffer to the residential areas, there is not enough room for parking. Mr. Border stated that the impact of the rezoning does not conform to the Comprehensive Pian; shows that the city is desperate for business; shows no faith in rules and regulations; and shows that the views of the citizens are not taken in consideration. He stated that spot zoning is not looked favorably upon by the courts. 5 At this time, the Committee listened to other persons opposed to the rezoning. Roland Pettitt, 708 North Main, stated there are four other businesses in the area but feels that other areas are better zoned for the citizens. He is concerned with the traffic problems and would like to see the integrity of the area maintained. Marlow Hauber, 725 North Main, who also owns 740 North Main, stated he mioved to the area in 1952 to raise a family. He stated when the property for Bonanza was rezoned, he was assured that the remainder of the block would not be rezoned. He stated the property at 705 North Main has three apartments. There will be three tenants loose their hares if the property is torn down. Mr. Hauber stated that rental property is at a premium in Canton. He has no objection to young people going in business but there are other blighted areas that can be purchased. Tad Putrich, one of the petitioners, stated that the principal use of the ice cream shop is not for a drive up. This may be a possibility if the property behind this one were purchased. The owner has expressed his interest in selling the adjacent property. Steve Joachim, one of the petitioners, stated that the biggest cm~lainer at the last meeting came to him the next miorning wanting to sell his property. He stated that rental properties are also businesses and there are several in this block. Steve Bordner stated that after the rezoning, the control is lost as to what type of business is put on the lot. Don Heriocker, opposing the rezoning, stated there is not enough room for the parking. Steve Bordner stated that if the building is placed on the lot as shown on the drawing, there is not adequate room for the proposed parking spaces. The drawing shows the use of city terrace area including to meet the parking requirements. Jerry Bohler stated that his concern is - is this the proper zoning. He stated that there exists now multi-family housing located in the area that will not hurt the integrity of the single family residences. Kevin Meade stated that it should be looked at legally. Look at he long term use but also look at the feelings of the neighbors and their concerns. Steve Joachim asked if the question was the use or the rezoning of the lot. He stated that the building can be rearranged to meet the guidelines. The intent is to have people cane in, park, get their ice cream, and go. Other businesses of this nature told them a drive up window does not add anything to the business. Tad Putrich stated that they were of business they were looking at it would be an ice cream shop. later sold, it could be something fits the guidelines. told to be up front with the type putting in. The petitioners stated If the property were rezoned and other than an ice cream shop if it Mayor Edwards stated that the Comprehensive Ptan was drawn in 1968 and updated in 1986 by the Planning and Zoning Commission and accepted by the City Council. In 1976 when the zoning ordinance was being developed, it was suggested that this area be a buffer to the downtown. Almost every business north of this lot has been built since the adoption of the zoning ordinance in 1976. Don agreed that the 100' provision is in the ordinance. The main question is do you want to leave this area R-4 or change this block to business. Larry Sarff asked that Jim Elson check the references to the zoning ordinance and setbacks brought up by Attorney Bordner. Steve Bordner stated that the in persuade the Committee and they petition. A motion was made by Kevin Meade recommend the petition be sent recommendation until the Council Voice vote. Motion carried. formation and the drawings should should recommend denial of the and seconded by Larry Sarff to to the City Council without a hears from the city attorney. The beer garden ordinance was next on the agenda. James stated this is in the process. An easement request was presented by John McCarthy. He stated that Dr. & Mrs. Buckley own lots 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of Section 3 in Village Square. They intend on building a house on lots 3 and 6. There is an easement between lots 3 and 6 which extends to lots 4 and 5. Dr. Buckley would like to have this easement vacated. Jim Elson stated that if one person purchases all the lots, the access easement would merge with the property and no longer be existing. John McCarthy stated the purchase of the lots is contingent on the vacation which would have to be vacated by Illinois Bell and CIPS as well. Discussion followed concerning the water line from Sycamore street, which is a two inch line. John McCarthy stated this was to service these lots and can be cut off at any point. Clif O'Brien stated this would not be a problem. A motion was made by Larry Sarff and seconded by Kevin Meade to recommend to the City Council the vacation of the easement for Dr. Buckley. Voice vote. Motion carried. The last item on the agenda was the city dog tags. Mayor Edwards stated that he, James Elson and Dr. Trotter met concerning the matter. Dr. Trotter has stated that he feels this is a duplication of paperwork for the veterinarians. The vets charge $2.50 for the city dog tags with the city receiving $2.00 per tag. He suggested the vets stop issuing dog tags, let the city issue the tags or use a rubber stamp to number the inoculations by the vets. Mayor Edwards 7 stated that he has not contacted the other vets to get their feelings on the matter. Discussion followed. No action was taken on the matter by the Committee. No further business was discussed and the Legal and Ordinance Committee was adjourned. Kayma Duncan - Committee Secretary