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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-2014 Council Minutes City of Canton Council Meeting The Donald Edwards Way (Historic Depot) Canton il 61520 06-17-2014 6:30PM A regular meeting of the Canton City Council and a joint meeting with the clerical committee was held on June 17 2014 (6:30pm) in the Council Chambers, The Donald E. Edwards Way-50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois 61520. This is the second meeting of the new trial period to hold meetings twice per month instead of the first four Tuesday's of each month. This trial period will be during the months of lune and July 2014. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Jeffrey Fritz, Attorney Nancy Rabel, City Clerk Diana Pavley-Rock, Treasurer Kathy Luker, Police Chief Kent McDowell, Fire Chief Tom Shubert, Community Service Director Jason Strandberg, Comptroller Caty Campbell, City Engineer Keith Plavec, WTP Superintendent Greg Pollitt, Public Works Director Bill Terry MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Daily Ledger, Fulton Democrat OTHERS IN THE AUDIENCE Devon Deal, Michele Deal, George Roos, Carol Fliginger, Tony Plumer, Josh Russell, Robert Moravek, Jay Smith, Blake Flickinger, Mike Eveland, Scott Roos and other members of the police and fire department. VIDEO SERVICES BY 10E GINGER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING. INVOCATION--City Treasurer Kathy Luker PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X VacantSeat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich X Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA Mayor Fritz moved the Fire department recognition to the beginning of the meeting. CONSENT AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF THE JOINT COUNCIL AND MECHANICAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES HELD JUNE 3, 2014 2. POLICE REPORT 3. FIRE REPORT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Putrich to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis x Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich X Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. COMITTEE REPORTS: PUBUC SAFETY&TRAFFIC ALDERMAN JIM NELSON, CHAIRMAN 1. APPROVAL FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT RESEARCH TRIP FOR APPARATUS REQUIRING TRAVEL OUT OF STATE. Chief Shubert explained that the apparatus was located and is currently being leased for a seven year period by the Virginia Fire Department. The apparatus age ranges from 2005-2007. Once the apparatus is received back to the company after the end of the lease they will turn around and sell it. The price range is between $180,000.00 and $190,000.00 which is about half of the price of what it would cost to purchase new apparatus. If purchased by the City this apparatus would have a 50% savings for the City. Chief Shubert is not certain if the apparatus will be at the Alabama or Virginia location, but would like to be able to travel to the location to look at the apparatus. The only cost for the City would be the cost for the travel (by car)for four people. The deprecation account has a balance of$225,000.00 that would be used if they purchased the apparatus. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Pickel to approve four individuals from the fire department to look at the apparatus at either the Virginia or Alabama location. Discussion: Chief Shubert explained that the current apparatus is old and is often out of service. The department needs to have something that is reliable. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant5eat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich X Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson x The motion carried. STREETS AND GARBAGE ALDERMAN DAVE PICKEL, CHAIRMAN PEDESTRIAN ALLEY City Engineer Keith Plavec explained that the Council previously spent money to put lighting into the alley to make it a pedestrian alley rather than a vehicular alley. The next step would be to have a cross walk and sidewalk work done so it would be handicapped accessible. Two parking spaces would be eliminated during this process. Alderman Pickel said it would be a good idea to finish this project for the downtown events. This will be placed on the next Streets and Garage committee agenda for further discussion. LAKE, BUILDINGS &GROUNDS ALDERMAN JOHN LOVELL, CHAIRMAN PUBLIC WORKS, WATER&SEWER ALDERMAN GERALD ELLIS, CHAIRMAN FINANCE ALDERMAN JUSTIN NELSON 2014 WWTP&WTP MISC IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT BID RESULTS AND AWARDS Treasurer Kathy Luker will check to see if a hold could be placed on our current bids to give time to review a list of priorities. FINANCING FOR THE 2014 WWTP&WTP MISC IMPROVEMENTS The finance committee passed unanimously to go with the Commerce Bank, Peoria lllinois and an effective interest rate of 1.048% plus bond issuance costs and bond counsel fees of $15,000.00 subject to formal credit approval for the WWTP &WTP misc. improvements. This totals an estimate of$105,000.00 in interest and other costs which is approximately a $100,000.00 cost savings over the next quote. This will be a general obligation bond (alternate revenue source) for$2.1 million water and wastewater capital improvement projects. All of the bids were lower interest rates than our original estimate . The finance committee would like to have the Council approval to continue further in the pursuit of this bond issuance. Motion and second were made by lustin Nelson/Jim Nelson to use Commerce Bank at 1.048% for the WWTP & WTP misc. improvements. Discussion: Alderman Jim Nelson said that last month the Council voted to build up the fund, but now the request is to come back and use the money. City Engineer Keith Plavec explained that the City is bringing in an extra one million dollars per year from the original rate increases in 2005. This money was suppose to be going toward projects. The operating and maintenance fund has not increased, so the money that should have been going toward projects has actually been going towards the operating and maintenance. The increases that have occurred are operating and maintenance increases, but at the same time the City has projects that need to be completed, but all of the money has been going toward the operating and maintenance instead of the projects. Alderman Tad Putrich explained that what the City is looking for is a 2.1 million dollar project to start immediately, but the Council was sold on the increases for the future. It seems like just one week later the increases that were approved for the future is suddenly being requested to be spent. Alderman Putrich suggested waiting a couple of years to do the projects since everything is working right now. The money could build up in the fund and then the City would not have to borrow anything right now. Alderman Putrich said this is not the concept that he had in mind when he approved the increase in the water rates. City Engineer Keith Plavec said that the operating and maintenance has not been increased in 14 years on one and 10 years on the other. This amounts to approximately one million dollars per year. This fund has been used instead of using the money that should have been going toward the projects for several years. Just in this year's budget alone the City is short $150,000.00 to make ends meet on just the operating and maintenance fund. All of the money that should have been going to the projects has been going toward the operating and maintenance and the City is still short $150,000.00 in the current budget. The City needs $150,000.00 of the recent rate increase just to break even in this fiscal year. City Engineer Keith Plavec said he understands the question about waiting four years, but the City has projects that can't wait that long. The City has a lime slaker that is a $500,000.00 project. If this current lime slaker goes out, the City crew would have to manually throw 500-1000 bags per day into it. Alderman Putrich said that somehow this has worked for the past five years, and he doesn't understand why it's such an emergency now. Community Service Director Jason Strandberg explained the issue by stating: Several years ago when the bonds were taken out the Council years ago decided that the money was going to be put on the water bills. Approximately half to pay back the bonds and the other half was to collect a certain amount of money for projects. Instead what happened for the last ten years is nobody raised the operating and maintenance costs. Instead of the money that was designated for projects going toward the projects, it was actually going into the depleting operating and maintenance fund. The auditors last year said that the City has been doing this for 10 years and can no longer keep doing this. Were at the point now where the money that is being collected to pay the bonds and also the projects has gone to the operating and maintenance fund. This is because the Council over the last 10 years decided not to raise the water rates. If the City did not raise the water rates this year, we would have been $150,000.00 in the red, and each year it would just continue to get worse if rates were not increased. Jason stated that this Council has been put in a terrible position due to the past actions of not previously raising the water rates. Alderman Putrich asked "why all of a sudden does this have to be done now." The question he has is what constitutes an emergency now. Keith Plavec explained that all of the money was spent on O&M but projects are needed to be done in priority order. The projects will not be awarded if funding is not available. Alderman Putrich said he would want to make sure that only the necessary projects are completed now and have money still in reserves for emergency items. Alderman Justin Nelson explained that the City has an aging system. The slaker is definitely a priority, but the mechanical component could go out that would be an extreme emergency. The manual labor required to keep up with the work of the lime slaker would be huge. An itemized list of priorities could be brought back for further discussion. The list of priorities could be reviewed to see how the City could still keep some of the funds for other emergencies not already planned. Jason explained that if the lime slaker were to go out, or another big engine would fail, the City simply would not be making water anymore. Jason said he is not considering these projects that are being requested "emergencies", but they are rather major items that need to be replaced simply due to their age and condition. City Engineer Keith Plavec said he could bring a list back to Council that would prioritize the projects in order of necessity and urgency. Community Service Director Jason Strandberg said that the City may have a customer that will need to have 800,000.00 gallons of water per day, but we are currently using a 1939 system. The City would like to be able to tell the company that we are equipped to handle the extra demand to the system. Alderman Justin Nelson said that if the City continues to wait on doing the projects, the City will be paying more money because the rates and cost will be higher. Alderman Putrich explained that he would like to see a list of priorities and only do what is necessary. The City should then hold off on the less important items and keep some of the money in reserves for the unexpected. Alderman Justin Nelson asked if anyone would be interested in going back and looking at the rate increases again to see if they should be changed. City Engineer Keith Plavec said the first priority would be the lime slaker. If this system goes out,the City would not be able to manually keep up with the work load. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Jim Nelson to withdraw the previous motion. The motion carried. It was determined that a list of priorities will be brought back to the next meeting for further discussion. Treasurer Kathy Luker will see if the bank will put a hold on the current bid. CANTON POLICE PENSION FUND ANNUAL STATEMENT No action----This is simply a requirement to distribute the statement for review. CANTON FIRE PENSION FUND ANNUAL STATEMENT No action----This is simply a requirement to distribute the statement for review. TREASURERS REPORT Page 1 of the Treasurer's report reflects the unrestricted cash balance in the amount of $543,945.43. The restricted cash balance is $494,524.13. The big toot fund was added which included money donated by a citizen several years ago. The current balance is $2,267.18. These funds were previously held in the cash reserves. Page 2 of the Treasurer's report reflects the schedule of investments. The fire department capital improvement is down $220,000.00 due to funds being borrowed to prevent getting a loan and paying interest. The City also borrowed $50,000.00 from the garbage depreciation account due to the tax levy shortage at this time. Page 3 of the Treasurer's report reflects the budget report. The general fund revenue income is 5.8%, which is down 2.5% for the month. This is also due to no property taxes being received. The expenses were up at 10.4% which is 2.1% over the normal. This is due to three payrolls during the month of May. There was also a large payout to Spoon River Partnership in the amount of $40,000.00. There was another large payment to the Humane Society due to contracts. The water and sewer fund was on mark at 8.2%. The expenses for water and sewer was at 7.0%which is 1.3% below average. Page 4 of the Treasurer's report reflects no property taxes being received. There is 2.119 million dollars coming from the general government and $934,326.00 for TIF I and $127,335.00 for TIF II income. Page 5 of the Treasurer's report reflects the TIF I account balance at $1,881.19. Page 6 of the Treasurer's report reflects the TIF II account balance at $811.46. Page 7 of the Treasurer's report reflects the water and sewer bond recap balance at 1.263 million for the bond expenses. The City received during the month of May $66,391.00 from Illinois Jobs Now, which was an MFT project. Page 8 of the Treasurer's report reflects the money that has been loaned to others. The DECA loan has a balance of$50,084.76. The checking balance is $35,527.30. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Putrich to approve the treasurer's report. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich X Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. BILL LIST Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nefson/Putrich to approve the bill list. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich X Alderman Dave Pickel x Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. LEGAL& ORDINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST APPROVAL OF ST. MARY'S PARISH ANNUAL FESTIVAL TO BE HELD AUGUST 16 2014 An application was submitted by St. Mary's parish for their annual festival to be held on August 16, 2014. The liquor commission met on June 5, 2014 and made the recommendation to send the request for a Class F Special Event License to Council for approval. The event will be held from S:OOpm to 11:OOpm. The event will be held on the property of St. Mary's church and will not include any road closures. Alcohol will be served in the defined area with outside entertainment. A certificate of insurance has been submitted. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to approve the event. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich x Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. CANTON LAKESHORE LEASE AND ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE FOR LOT#3 LAKEVIEW The City owns lot No. 3 of the Lakeview addition to Lake which is located at 24724 East Lakeview Drive Canton Illinois. The City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City of Canton that it enter into a lease for municipally owned property. COMMUNITY& INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALDERMAN TAD PUTRICH CANTON SCHOOL DISTRICT ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM Superintendent Roy Webb explained that he was approached regarding the City wanting to allocate some of the funds to the school district alcohol and drug awareness programs. The funds could go to the school district or to the coalition for wise choices. Superintendent Roy Webb provided a list of items that the funds could be applied to. The school could use some of the funds for school assemblies for drug and alcohol awareness, or use some of the funds for awareness programs at the middle school. Three years ago the school district had 31 expulsions. Last year the district had 4 expulsions that were drug or alcohol related. The district recognizes that there is still a problem with drug and alcohol abuse and they would be willing to work with the City to see how funds could be utilized. Jason Strandberg said that Lee Puleo originally had the idea to use some of the funds the City received when they expanded the liquor license within the City for the schools drug and alcohol awareness. Mayor Fritz said the City would need to decide if they want to use some of the funds and how much of the funds would be dedicated to the program. Alderman Jim Nelson said that he thought Lee Puleo originally suggested to have 50% of the funds the City received from the packaged liquor stores dedicated to the alcohol and drug awareness program at the school district. NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL ALDERMAN COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR FRITZ: FIRE DEPARTMENT SHIFT TWO RECOGNITION On March 31, 2014 at 11:50 pm Canton Fire Department Shift two responded to 161 North 3rd Avenue to a structure fire. Arriving on the scene in two minutes Assistant Chief Scott Roos called for all off duty personnel to the station and the scene. Lieutenant Clark Evans and Firefighter Robert Moravek quickly made entrance to the front door and extinguished the fire in the living room area. Lieutenant Evans and firefighter Moravek searched the structure in moderate heat and smoke conditions. Firefighter Robert Moravek located a victim on the bed. Lietenant Evans and Firefighter Moravek were met on the front porch by firefighter Williams. The second occupant was not at home. CPR was started on the victim until an ambulance arrived at the scene. The victim was loaded and transported to Graham Hospital. Chief Tom Shubert said he is very proud to honor the work of the firefighters and police officers that stand ready 24 hours a day to protect the citizens. Chief Shubert presented the metal of honor to the following: Firefighter Robert Moravek Lieutenant Clark Evans Assistant Chief Scott Roos Firefighter Williams Police Officer- Lieutenant Mike Eveland BRIGHT SPOT FOR JUNE Mayor Fritz awarded the June Bright Spot award to Jeff and Brenda Chenoweth at 143 West Spruce for the full sun garden spot. APPOINTMENT OF LIQUOR COMMISSIONERS Mayor Fritz re-appointed current liquor commissioners Mike Freeman and Doug Manock for a one year term that will end May 2015. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to approve the appointments. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. VACANT ALDERMAN POSITION Mayor Fritz announced that he will be seeking a replacement to fill the vacant alderman position for ward 4. The term would end in May 2015. Please contact the Mayor's office if interested. OLD BUSINE55 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND RENEWAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION OF CANTON 1 DOWNTOWN/STH AVENUE TIF DISTRICT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY ILIINOIS AND JACOB & KLEIN LTD AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP LTD. (2ND READING) #3066 Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich Abstain Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND RENEWAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION OF CANTON 2 RT 9/CHESTNUT STREET TIF DISTRICT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY ILLINOIS AND JACOB KLEIN, LTD AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP LTD. (2ND READING) #3067 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Pickel/West to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich Abstain Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 6(POLICE REGULATIONS) CHAPTER 4(ANIMALS) SECTION 2G (GENERAL REGULATIONS AND LICENSING. (2ND READING) #3068 Motion and second were made by Aldermen west/Lovell to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich X Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 6 CHAPTER 4(ANIMALS) SECTION 8F OF THE CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE. (2ND READING) #3069 Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich X Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. NEW BUSINE55 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON PUBLIC WORKS AND AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES AFL-CIO COUNCIL 31/LOCAL NO 1372 AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR AND THE CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE SAID AMENDMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CANTON ILLINOIS. #4069 Motion and second were made by Aldermen west/Pickel to approve the resolution and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Aiderman lustin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich x Aiderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF MUNiCiPALLY OWNED REAL PROPERTY. (1ST READING) #3070 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Putrich/Justin Nelson to suspend the rules for the second reading. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Putrich to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich X Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Jim Nelson to adjourn into executive session for the purpose of: Business Matters 51LCS 120/2 (c) (23 ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Jerry Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman John Lovell X Vacant Seat Alderman Craig West X Alderman Tad Putrich X Alderman Dave Pickel X Alderman Jim Nelson X The motion carried. The meeting adjourned after executive session with no further business for open session. Diana Pavley-Rock, City Clerk Jeffrey A. Fritz, Mayor