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Home My WebLink About04-19-2011 Council Minutes A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on April 19, 2011 in the Council Chambers, The Donald E. Edwards Way-50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois 61520. Alderman in attendance: Alderman Craig West, Larry Sarff, Rick Reed, Eric Schenck, Jim Hartford, Dave Pickel, Jorge Rivero and Gerald Ellis Staff in attendance: City Treasurer Aaron Anderson, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, City Administrator Jim Snider, City Clerk Diana Tucker, Mayor Kevin Meade, Police Chief Dan Taylor, Interim Fire Chief Ernie Russell, Public Works Director Clif O'Brien, City Engineer Keith Plavec, ESDA Director Phil Fleming. Media in attendance: Daily Ledger- John Froehling, Democrat Stacey Creasy, Peoria Journal Star Mike Smothers, WBYS Mark Rothert Video Services by Joe Ginger Others in the audience: Alderman Elect Jeffrey Fritz, Alderman Elect Justin Nelson, Firefighters from the Canton Fire department, SRPED Director Mark Rothert, Robert and Jeannie Ems, Kevin Stephenson, Jon Johnson, Judy Anderson, Comptroller Caty Campbell PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING FOLLOWED BY THE INVOCATION GIVEN BY NINA NESTLERODE FROM THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN CANTON ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman West x Alderman Sarff x Alderman Reed x Alderman Schenck x Alderman Hartford x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Rivero x Alderman Ellis x Public Comments Veterans Memorial Bob Ems discussed the Veterans memorial that he is planning on building in Canton. Bob represents the Canton Park district thru the foundation. Bob Ems feels this project will be one of the biggest attractions that The City of Canton will have. This project will be very beneficial in bringing people to the community. Approximately 3400 bricks are estimated to complete the project. Bob expressed a desire to address the Co.uncil to make Canton part of this project. Ground breaking is anticipated to begin in the spring of this year for the memorial. The cost for one small brick is $100.00 CONSENT AGENDA Minutes of Council meeting held April 6th, 2011 Minutes of Clerical Committee meeting held April 12, 2011 Motion and second was made by Alderman Hartford/Pickel to accept the minutes as presented and be placed on file. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. BILLS Motion and second was made by Alderman Schenck/Reed to accept and pay the bills as presented. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman West x Alderman Sarff x Alderman Reed x 2 Alderman Schenck x Alderman Hartford x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Rivero x Alderman Ellis x The motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT City Treasurer Aaron Anderson reported: The end of March reflected 2.5 million in available cash in all funds. The total investments were 8.3 million. The general fund surplus is $ 543,670.00 YTD. The water and sewer surplus is $1,170,963.00. Motion and second was made by Alderman Ellis/Pickel to accept the Treasurer's report as presented. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Finance- Alderman Eric Schenck, Chairman 1. Habitat for Humanity Fee Waiver Request Waiver includes waiving the water tap fee. 3 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Schenck/Rivero to approve the fee waiver request for Habitat for Humanity. The motion carried. 2. Second Floor Renovations City Administrator Jim Snider explained the following quotes received for the renovations of the second itoor of City hall. Lincoln Office $ 7,461.40 Heart Tech $ 3,700.70 $2500.00 In-house work $13,631.00 Total Renovation Cost Motion and second were made by Aldermen Schenck/Ellis to approve the second floor renovations. Jim Hartford asked if the wall will be removed from the elevator area. This will make the 2"d floor more accessible to the citizens. Alderman Jim Hartford asked how the remodeling will accommodate the privacy needs for the City Clerk when she is working with human resource related topics with employees. City Administrator explained that the door the office will be locked during the day and a counter will be installed for customers to come to. The City Clerk will be able to use one of the other modular areas that will be installed to address private needs. One of the areas will be for the comptroller and the other two will be empty. Alderman Ellis asked if the City workers would have time to complete the projects. Clif 0'Brien explained the City workers will be able to complete the project in a timely fashion. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman West x Alderman Sarff x Alderman Reed x Alderman Schenck x Alderman Hartford x Alderman Pickel x 4 Alderman Rivero x Alderman Ellis x The motion carried. 3. Authorize Legal Action Against A-Z Management to Recoup Revolving Loan Funds. City Attorney stated the amount of $16,425.14 is due and to be collected from the company or from one or any of the individuals. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Schenck/Reed to authorize legal action against A-Z Management to recoup the revolving loan funds. The motion carried. Legal & Ordinance- Alderman Dave Pickel, Chairman 1. Generations Beer Garden Motion and second were made by Aldermen Pickel/Ellis to approve Generations Beer Garden. The motion carried. Community & Industrial Development- Alderman Jorge Rivero, Chairman 1. Hotel Motel Tax Request for Veterans Memorial A request in the amount of $500.00 was made for the Veterans Memorial. 5 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Sarff/Reed to approve the hotel/motel tax request for the veterans memorial from the general funds Alderman Sarff asked about supporting the project from the general fund. The hotel/motel tax does not prohibit brick type projects. Attorney Peterson stated that it would be up to the wish of the Council. The motion carried. 2. Hotel Motel Tax Request for a Self-Guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour Mark Rothert explained that various plaques will be placed in locations on or near buildings to explain the history of the building and locations. The project is aimed to inform visitors about our community. The approximate cost is $800.00, however $500.00 is being requested. The remainder will be received from grants. The plaques must be of good quality with protective coverings to sustain the weather conditions. Mark Rothert will research the cost for higher quality plaques and bring back figures. 3. Hotel Motel Tax Request for Creating a Tourism Specific Website for Canton Mark Rothert explained that the committee working on the website has researched other community's websites for tourism to gain additional knowledge for the best website for Canton tourism. The current website is basically a portal for various organizations. The same firm could be used to create a better website that would focus on tourism opportunities in Canton for the cost of $1500.00. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Pickel to approve the hotel motel tax request for creating a tourism specific website for Canton. The motion carried. 4. Hotel Motel Tax Request for Supporting the American Legion Baseball Tournament The dates for the baseball tournament will be July 12-July 16th which takes place every seven years in Canton drawing 250-300 visitors daily. It's a good opportunity for visitors to visit area restaurants, shops and hotels. The estimated cost for the tournament is $3,300.00. The request is $1,000.00 to cover extra costs which is the difference in what is not brought in by the event. 6 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Sarff/Reed to approve the hotel motel tax request for supporting the American Legion Baseball Tournament. The motion carried. Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel- Alderman Larry Sarff, Chairman COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR: 1. Dan Oaks Retirement Proclamation Mayor Kevin Meade presented Dan Oaks with the proclamation for retirement effective April 23, 2011. 2. Fire Department Appointments/Promotions Mayor Kevin Meade asked for approval of the following appointments Tony Plumer Assistant Chief Scott Roos-Lieutenant Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Sarff to approve the appointments. The motion carried. Bill Cook Mayor Meade explained it was a surprise to learn of the passing of Bill Cook. Bill Cook was a man of action and his legacy will continue. A service will be held on Saturday in Bloomington Indiana. A celebration of life will be held in Bloomington during the month of June. A celebration of life will be held in early May in Canton. The date will be announced. Bill's legacy will be felt for generations to come. The organization is committed to Bill's vision in Canton, and his growth wifl continue here in Canton. The Cook organization has embraced our community and will be greatly missed. 7 NEW BUSINESS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20 (TRUANCY) OF TITLE 6(POLICE REGULATIONS) OF THE CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE (1ST READING) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11 (LAKE CANTON) OF TITLE 8(PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY) 15T READING SRPED SERVICES AGREEMENT- RESOLUTION Motion and second was made by Alderman Reed/Pickel to approve the resolution and place it upon its passage. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman West x Alderman Sarff x Alderman Reed x Alderman Schenck x Alderman Hartford x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Rivero x Alderman Ellis x The Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS FULTON COUNTY ESDA PROPOSAL Motion and second were made by Aldermen Shenck/ Sarff to merge The Fulton County ESDA with the County. 8 Alderman Hartford explained that he is against the merger and the City will lose some valuable employees. The City spent a lot of money on equipment that will just be given to the County. The City should keep the ESDA and keep the training that the City employees received. The City will lose a lot if the City decides to merge with the County. Jim Hartford recommends voting no to merge with the County. Alderman Schenck explained that the City operated in the past with a volunteer agency, and the city should move to have this with the County. Having staff in the City is not necessary. Alderman Reed said that moving with the County is a step backwards. Canton is the largest community in the County and does not feel the County will be able to handle the load. Alderman Reed explained he was a spotter for the agency many years ago and encourages a"NO" vote on merging with the county. Alderman Rivero explained that Phil Fleming has done an outstanding job, and thinks the City should keep ESDA. ROLL CALL Ves No Absent Alderman West x Alderman Sarff x Alderman Reed x Alderman Schenck x Alderman Hartford x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Rivero x Alderman Ellis x The Mayor broke the tie by voting YES to merge with the County. The motion carried. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE CORPORATE PURPOSES OF THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2011 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2012 (2ND READING) Ordinance # 2031 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Schenck to amend the motion by reducing ESDA by $45,000.00 to reflect the action to merge with the County. 9 City Administrator Jim Snider explained that the deficit in the amount of 118,084.00 was planned. The renewal from BCBS was only 12% increase which is reduced from the 17% which will save in the general fund approximately $120,000.00. This will balance the general fund. A small surplus of approximately $40.000.00 is now in the general fund. The water and sewer fund currently has a surplus. The heavy equipment operator is still in the budget. $48,000.00 surplus remains in the water and sewer fund. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Schenck/ Reed to adopt the ordinance and place it upon its passage. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman West x Alderman Sarff x Alderman Reed x Alderman Schenck x Alderman Hartford x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Rivero x Alderman Ellis x The Motion carried. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ESTABLISHING OF COMPENSATION FOR POSITIONS WITH THE CITY OF CANTON FOR THE 2010-2011 FISCAL YEAR. (2ND READING) # 2030 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Sarff/West to adopt the ordinance and place it upon its passage. 10 ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman West x Alderman Sarff x Alderman Reed x Alderman Schenck x Alderman Hartford x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Rivero x Alderman Ellis X The Motion carried. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Reed/West to adjourn to executive session. The motion carried. Adjournment No further business was conducted after the closing of the executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION - TO DISCUSS POLtCE AND PUBLIC WORKS NEGOTIATIONS AND PERSONNEL Diana Tucker, City Clerk Kevin Meade, Mayor 11