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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-1989 Council Minutes 476 ' A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on February 7, 1989 in council chambers. Mayor Edwards asked the City Clerk to read comments he had prepared for "We The People." The old regime The Articles of Confederation, although approved by the Continental Congress in 1777, were not ratified by all the states until 1781, just eight months before the end of the Revolutionary War. They were sufficient as a treaty of friendship among the independent, sovereign states that had banded together against a common foe, King George 111. The states preserved their individuality, yet united for assistance during the war. But as a document of national government, the Articles were woefully inadequate. By design, they provided for a weak legislature; the states had no intention of relinquishing authority they exercised in coining money, levying taxes, setting tariffs or making treaties with foreign countries. After the Constitution had been ratified, the Confederation Congress--the legislature that operated under the Articles--adjourned for the last time in September 1788. Judging from the differences between the two documents, the transition would be one of major proportions. A bicameral legislature with greater power The Articles of Confederation had authorized only one branch of government: a one-house legislature where each state had one vote. The new Constitution, however, called for a bicameral legislature. Each state had two votes in the Senate and was represented in the House according to population. The change attempted to balance the interests of large states, which favored representation by population, with the smaller states, which felt politically threatened by their more populous neighbors. The new Constitution allowed for a simple majority vote by members of each house of Congress to approve a measure, subject to a presidential veto. Under the Articles, two-thirds of the states had to agree on important matters, and a unanimous vote of the states was required to amend the Articles. In addition, the Constitution granted to Congress power to tax and to regulate interstate commerce, authority that the Articles had reserved for the states. From one branch to three Perhaps the most radical change from the Articles was the Constitution's call for two additional branches of government beyond the legislature. Article 2 provided for and delegated specific powers to an executive branch. It created the electoral college, the process followed to this day for choosing the president. It also specified age and residency requirements for the president. Article 3 authorized the third branch, the judiciary. Section 1 called for one "supreme Court, with such inferior Courts as Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." In passing the Judiciary Act of September 25, 1789, Congress formed the Supreme Court, thirteen district courts and three ad hoc circuit courts as well as the office of attorney general. Under the Articles of Confederation, which had made no provision for a federal court system, many interstate squabbles went unresolved. . And so, less than two years from May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia, the transition to this new form of government was well underway. The blueprint endures to this day, admired by people worldwide who cherish liberty. 47~ CONTINUED February 7, 1989 Three members of the Bi-Centennial Commission composed of Randy Wilson Marjorie Bordner and Linda Duchardt presented to the community a silk screen replica of the Constitution that will be displayed in the city building. There are thousands of Canton citizens signatures on the Constitution where signing was done in front of the Post Office in July of 1987 and at Jones Park and the Friendship Festival. Mayor Edwards thanked the commission members for their dedication to one specific project. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING FOLLOWED BY THE INVOCATION GIVEN BY CITY CLERK NANCY WHITES. Mayor Edwards asked for roll call at 6:30 p.m. Present: Aldermen Zilly, Steck, Sarff, Meade, Bohler, May, Chapman. Absent: Alderman Kovachevich. O MINUTES OF JANUARY 17 MEETING. Motion by Alderman Steck, ~ second by Alderman Sarff, the minutes of January 17th be ~ accepted and placed on file. Voice vote, motion carried. _ (n COMMITTEE REPORTS: a Public Safety & Traffic. Council Action Motion by Alderman Steck, second by Alderman Chapman, the approval of the expenditure of $25 per month for the rest of this fiscal year for the pagers of Howard Williams and Ed Reed. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Chapman, May, Bohler, Meade, Sarff, Steck, Zilly. NAYS - None. 7 AYES 0 NAYS 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Streets & Garbage. Council Action Motion by Alderman Meade, second by Alderman May, the approval to purchase parts to repair the road grader at a cost of $1,335.95. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Zilly, Steck, Sarff, Meade, Bohler, May, Chapman. NAYS - None. 7 AYES 0 NAYS 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Motion by Alderman Meade, second by Alderman Sarff, approval of an expenditure of $746.84 to repair a transmission on a truck in the street department. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Chapman, May, Bohler, Meade, Sarff, Steck, Zilly. NAYS - None. 7 AYES 0 NAYS 1 ABSENT. 7 AYES 0 NAYS 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Motion by Alderman Steck, second by Alderman Zilly, the complaints on snow removal be sent to the committee of Streets & Traffic. Discussion. Alderman Sarff and Steck said that complaints had been received also last year on snow removal. Voice vote, motion carried. Lake, Building & Grounds. Council Action Mayor Edwards said the lake ad hoc Water Committee will 4?S CONTINUED February 7, 1989 be bringing up at the next council meeting their final report. Public Works, Water & Sewer. Council Action Motion by Alderman May, second by Alderman Chapman, the $1,000 retainage held by the city on River City Painting & Sandblasting not be released as previously authorized due to a bill owed by River City Painting & Sandblasting to Tnemec for paint supplies. Discussion. Cliff Sagaser reported that he had received a release of those liens from Tnemec that was dated in July of 1988. There seems to be some conflict in Tnemec claims. Voice vote, motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR EDWARDS. A representative of the West Central Illinois Water Commission was to be present at this meeting, but due to illnes had to cancel. They will be here at a later date. I'm recommending the Fence Ordinance be referred back to committee. Enforcement of the Water Conservation Ordinance after passage depends on the water level of the lake. Emergency typed wells will be drilled at the lake that will produce in excess of 1,000 gallons a water per minute into the lake. The estimated cost of drilling & purchasing pumps is in the amount of $300,000. Mayor Edwards said he had been discussing the financing with several bankers and has asked David Leezer to look into financing with the state on the project. We had a twenty-four month span of water and we are now halfway into that span. Will be discussing this next week at the committee meeting about going out for bid. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: BIDS: LABOR AND MATERIAI~ FOR WALL AND FLOOR AREA OF TORGENAL ~URFACE FOR T~E COMFORT STATION. The city clerk informed council no bids had been received. Mayor Edwards then asked for bids from the audience, no one responded to the request. Cliff Sagaser said he would bring some alternatives to the committee meeting of Clerical. ORDINANCE - AMENDING TITLE 6, CHAPTER 3 RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF FENCES, WALKS AND OTHER PROTECTIVE BARRIERS. First reading, read by title. Motion by Alderman Zilly, second by Alderman Sarff, the ordinance be sent to the Legal & Ordinance Committee. Voice vote, motion carried. ORDINANCE - CREATING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 10.1 IMPLEMENTING AN EMERGENCY WATER CONSERVATION PLAN. First reading, read by title. Motion by Alderman Bohler, second by Alderman May, the ordinance be sent to committee. Voice vote motion carried. 4~9 CONTINUED February 7, 1989 RESOLUTION - APPROVING AN AGREEMENT PROVIDING FOR THE SALE/PURCHASE OF CITY OWNED REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS OF 559 E. ELM/10 SOUTH SIXTH AVENUE. First reading, read by title. Motion by Alderman Sarff, second by Alderman Bohler the resolution be adopted. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Zilly, Steck, Sarff, Meade, Bohler, May, Chapman. NAYS - None. 7 AYES 0 NAYS 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. Resolution being #2047. RELEASE - TED VAULTONBURG AND JEANETTE 1200 BLOCK OF SOUTH FOURTH AVENUE. Motion by Alderman Sarff, second by Alderman Chapman, the release be approved. Roll call. AYES - Aldermen Chapman, May, Bohler, Meade, Sarff, Steck, Zilly. O NAYS - None. 7 AYES 0 NAYS 1 ABSENT. Motion carried. ~ EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL. Motion by Alderman Sarff, ~ second by Alderman Zilly, to go into executive session. = Voice vote, motion carried. m Council recessed at 7:05 p.m. a The executive session minutes are on file in the office of the city clerk. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Alderman Meade, second by Alderman Bohler, to adjourn. Voice vote, motion carried. Council adjourned at 7:37 p.m. ~ ~ CI Y CLERK APPROVED: ~ MAYOR