The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About11-05-2013 Council Meeting Minutes A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on November 5, 2013 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers, The Donald E. Edwards Way-50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois 61520. Aldermen in attendance: Craig West, Tad Putrich, Jim Nelson, Dave Pickel, Justin Nelson, Gerald Ellis, John Lovell, Jeremy Pasley Aldermen absent: Staff in attendance: City Treasurer Kathy Luker, City Attorney Nancy Rabel, Mayor Jeffrey A Fritz, Community Service Director Jason Strandberg, City Clerk Diana Pavley-Rock, Fire Chief Tom Shubert, Police Chief Kent McDowell, Public Works Director Bill Terry Media in attendance: Daily Ledger Video Services by Joe Ginger PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Rod Howard- Beech Street Rod Howard lives on Beech Street and is at the meeting to thank the Council for the recent work done on Beech Street. The City crew has worked on the street and demonstrated a high level of professionalism. The crew put in ditches and culverts. Mayor Fritz also expressed his thanks to all of the staff involved in solving the problem. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Pasley X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Pickel X Alderman Jim X Nelson Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X CONSENT AGENDA Minutes of Council Meeting held October 15, 2013 Minutes of Mechanical Committee Meeting held October 22, 2013 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Pickel/West to accept the minutes as presented and have the minutes placed on file. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS: PUBLIC SAFETY&TRAFFIC ALDERMAN JIM NELSON, CHAIRMAN LIFE SAVING AWARD FOR OFFICER NICK WILLIAMSON Chief McDowell presented a Life-Saving award to Officer Nick Williamson. On September 24, 2013 there was an over turned boat on the lake at Lakeland Park. Officer Nick Williamson and Canton Park District Sgt. Julie Moll helped rescue the individual from the water. The individual was treated and released from Graham Hospital. POLICE REPORT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Tad Putrich to approve the police report and place it on file. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. FIRE REPORT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Dave Pickel to approve the fire report. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. ANNUAL REQUEST FOR SANTA PARADE/SANTA HOUSE Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Justin Nelson to approve the special event. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Pasley X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Pickel X Alderman Jim X Nelson Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. STREETS AND GARBAGE ALDERMAN DAVE PICKEL, CHAIRMAN LAKE, BUILDINGS& GROUNDS ALDERMAN JOHN LOVELL, CHAIRMAN TRUE VALUE LEASE Alderman John Lovell explained that previous discussion took place regarding who would be responsible for paying the taxes on the old Feaster's lot (True Value Garden Center) Sarah Carter was told by the past administration that the taxes would be paid by the City of Canton and her annual lease would be $10.00. This agreement was previously made as part of the incentive for her to open the business in Canton. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Lovell/Pickel to place language in the lease reflecting the City would be responsible for paying the taxes and her annual lease would be $10.00. Discussion: Alderman Jim Nelson asked if Sarah Carter has a document showing that the lease was $10.00 per year. It was not specified in the draft as to who would pay the taxes. Attorney Rabel said that Sarah Carter has a draft copy of the lease, but did not believe there was ever a final agreement issued. Sarah Carter arrived at the meeting and addressed the Council. Sarah explained that approximately three months into the planning stages of the True Value Store in Elmwood Illinois Tony Rolando called Sarah about coming to Canton to open a store. Sarah met with several people in Canton about opening the True Value store in Canton. Sarah didn't ask for anything during her discussion; however these incentives were offered to her. Sarah told True Value about the incentives and it was agreed upon to start the process of opening the store in Canton. Sarah further explained that she didn't ever think that there would be any problems with any of the incentives/promises made to her by the previous administration. Sarah said they are very happy to be in Canton. Sarah Carter said she went to Chrissie Peterson (the previous City Attorney) and Chrissie placed in writing (by email) what their "intentions" were. It was shortly after the process started that Mayor Kevin Meade lost the election. Sarah Carter has invested a large amount of money in the project and believes in the community and further thought what the prior administration promised would stick. Alderman Jim Nelson explained that the current Council has approved everything that the past administration promised. The past Mayor or the past City Attorney did not have the authority to approve the expenditure of funds without the consent of the Council and should not have made a promise. The only issue currently being faced is the lease on the lot and the question as to who would pay the property taxes. Alderman Jim Nelson said the current Council has worked very hard in making sure everything is approved "correctly". Alderman Jeremy Pasley said he thinks there needs to be a common structure put into place for standard practices for all businesses. Alderman Putrich said this will cost the tax payers money and suggested having the City pay the taxes for just a three year period. The City should look at a "break even" solution for the tax payers. Alderman Pickel explained that the property taxes will be more than offset by the revenue generated from the sales tax. City Treasurer Kathy Luker stated that she was looking at a copy of the Fulton County tax bill. Because they are in TIF 1- and the City has the TIF until 2023—most of the line items on the tax bill will go back to the City. The increased value will all go back into the increment. The base value of the lot as it is now is spread among the taxing bodies. Any increase in the assessment will come back to the City. The lease will be presented at the next Council meeting for approval. PUBLIC WORKS, WATER&SEWER ALDERMAN GERALD ELLIS, CHAIRMAN APPLICATION FOR PAYMENT NO 4 FROM OTTO BAUM COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF 569,112.71 FOR THE TRUE VALUE GARDEN CENTER IMPROVEMENTS. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/West to allow Alderman Putrich to be exempt from voting since he has property in TIF 1. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. Motion and second was made by Aldermen Ellis/Lovell to approve the application for payment No 4 from Otto Baum Company in the amount of$69,112.71 for the True Value Garden Center Improvements. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Pasley X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Pickel X Alderman Jim X Nelson Alderman Putrich Exempt Alderman West X The motion carried. INVOICE 0012214-IN FROM IRC, INC IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,179.56 FOR THE 2013 MFT SEAL COAT PROJECT. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Justin Nelson to approve invoice 0012214-IN from IRC, INC in the amount of$73,179.56 for the 2013 MFT Seal Coat Project. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Pasley X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Pickel X Alderman Jim X Nelson Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. FRESH FIRE CHURCH WATER BILL AGREEMENT Alderman Picket explained that he met with Pastor Vickie Riley about the proposed agreement. Motion was made by Alderman Dave Pickel to direct the City Attorney to draft an agreement for the proposed agreement. The motion died for lack of a second. Discussion: Attorney Rabel explained she has been working with City Engineer Keith Plavec regarding the annexation costs. Keith Plavec met with the survey team and reviewed the map. Attorney Rabel further explained that the process is much more complicated that anyone thought. There are several issues that are currently being reviewed. The roadway is being reviewed to see if it would be maintained by the City. The water and sewer is being reviewed to see if it meets the IEPA standards. If it does not meet the standards and the property is annexed into the City it would need to be determined who would pay for this. The garbage pickup would be reviewed along with plowing the roadway. A home is built on a separate parcel and the remainder is where there are trailers. It would need to be determined which parcel would be acquired. Alderman Jim Nelson said this can't be voted upon tonight and makes a recommendation to send back to committee for further discussion. Alderman Ellis suggested voting on just the water bill and not on the annexation. Jason Strandberg said that the agreement was to move them to monthly billing--- lower their outstanding $11,000.00 bill to in-town rates and allow them to pay this off over a four year period. The last part of the agreement was to annex the property into the City. Motion and second were made by Alderman Ellis/Pickel to accept their water bill agreement to lower it to in-town rates and allow them to pay it off over a four year period. The motion did not carry. There was further discussion about the in-town rates. It was suggested by Alderman Lovell to have the agreement contingent on the annexation. Motion and second were made by Alderman Justin Nelson/Pickel to send back to committee for further discussion. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. Jason Strandberg explained that at this point they need to pay their current bill on time until an agreement is reached. JUNIPER STREET STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS The bids came in higher than expected and the recommendation is to reject all bids. This would be placed out for bid in late winter or spring. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Justin Nelson to reject all bids received on the project. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Pasley X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Pickel X Alderman Jim X Nelson Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR JEFFREY A FRITZ HOMETOWN AWARD Mayor Fritz said that he received a news release from the Governor's office: Governor Pat Quinn announced the winners of the 31St annual Governor's Home Town Awards. The award recognizes groups that have worked to improve their communities. The Canton Park District received one of the twenty-two awards issued. The award was issued for the Veterans Memorial. Former Director Bob Ems was instrumental in establishing the memorial. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS: A RESOLUTION FOR TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A STATE-MAINTAINED ROADWAY FOR A PUBLIC EVENT. (Santa Parade) #4040 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Jim Nelson to approve the resolution and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Pasley X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Picket X Alderman Jim X Nelson Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8 (INTOXICATING LIQUORS) OF THE CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE (1ST READING) AN ORDINANCE RE-ZONING REAL ESTATE FROM AG-1/PUD TO B-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT(1ST READING) AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR NO PARKING SIGNS IN THE 1500 BLOCK OF EAST ASH STREET PROHIBITING PARKING ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE STREET FROM 15TH AVENUE TO 16TH AVENUE IN THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY, ILLINIOS (1ST READING) #3029 Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Justin Nelson to suspend the rules to allow passage upon the first reading. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Pasley X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Pickel X Alderman Jim X Nelson Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Putrich to approve the ordinance and place it on record. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Pasley X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Pickel X Alderman Jim X Nelson Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND EAST & EM PROPERTIES, LLC (1ST READING) ADJOURNMENT Motion and second was made by Aldermen Pickel/Justin Nelson to adjourn with no executive session. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. May Jeffr: A z City Clerk Diana Pavley-Rock