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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-1981 2nd Council Meeting Minutes 121 A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on May 5th, 1981 in Council Chambers. The City Clerk Nancy Whites gave the oath of office to the newly elected officials. Mayor Donald Edwards , City Treasurer Pat Wright, Alderman Tom Hammond, Alderman Francis Mazza, Alderman Les Carl , Alderman Virgil Horr. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING FOLLOWED BY THE INVOCATION GIVEN BY CITY CLERK NANCY WHITES. Mayor Donald Edwards asked for roll call at 7 :10 P.M. Present. Aldermen Kovachevich, Hammond, Selfridge, Mazza , Grant, Carl , Clarke, Horr . Absent : None. MAYOR'S OPENING REMARKS. Mayor Donald Edwards welcomed the new members to the Council . Reported that he had discussions with most every body on the council and I think it. will be a pleaisure to work the ..next.four years with you . Were going to spend alot of time here, and I think we have to get to know each other right off the start. Looking at the arrangement of the council , we need to do a little changement on seating, were a little lop-sided . I would like to thank the people for coming to the council meeting. And the Iq citizens of Canton for given me the opportunity to serve as Mayor. As I look 0 forward to the next four years , I often think of the former alderman , the late Q Everett Howard , who often said , "We can some times judge the future with the Q past. " I don't look fornew problems that we haven 't seen before. As I think back on those years, it seems like almost perodically the same problems come up again . So, I think its just a matter of getting acquainted and getting our heads to- gather and settling problems. I see no problem with this. There will be new problems to approach and maybe different ones. But they will be problems that can be solve, and I think we will accept the challenge and serve Canton. I do think we must work close with our City Treasurer . If we don 't, we won 't be able to provide the basic City services we 've been providing. This evening I 'm going to present you with an ordinance on committee structure and I hope you 'll suspend the rules. I would like to see the eight committees, with each alderman serving as a chairman and sharing the work load. As most of you know I plan on appointing the City Attorney tonight. At this time I 'm going to open the council up for discussion of this appointment. I 've been ask not to appoint him tonight, but I 'm going to. The statute says that you appoint your city attorney on the first meeting in May. Alderman Kovachevich asked for the floor. His comment is as follows: There has never been a mayor that ' s appointed a city attorney and never had him approved by council . And I liked to go back four years, when this City elected another mayor. I did not support that appointment, but when he came up for the recommend- ation for the city attorney, I felt it was the mandate of the people and therefore he is the mayor and he has that right to pick his city attorney. I feel the same today. We elected a new mayor, Mayor Edwards, and I still feel it' s a mandate of the people. And he has the right to pick the city attorney that he can work with, and therefore I will ask for confirmation of his city attorney. I think the only thing we have to consider , is, the city attorney competent? And from what I 've heard , he is competent. We are voting on this one particular man. There's been alot of articles in the paper , alot of rumors going around town. I 've tried to vote my convictions of the rank and file of the people that have elected me. .I think we all agree that there' s more rank and file working people in this City then there are business people. I don 't have anything against business people, or professional people. I can 't understand why we would even think about turning down the mayor appointment of his choice of a city attorney if he is competent, and "I beleive he is, and I beleive he is a fine young man." If we vote this down, "are we going to embarrass the mayor?" "No," were going to embarrass this council . Think of how your going to vote because your going to have to live with it for four years. Alderman Carl felt that he should apologize for being a businessman. And person- ally resented some implications that Alderman Kovachevi.ch spoke of. 122 Continued May 5th, 1981 Alderman Kovachevich stated that he wasn't speaking particularly against businessmen. He has something against a priveledge group that is putting pressure on some of the aldermen, if there is such a group? Mayor Edwards stated that it has been said that his choice of city attorney is not a member of the Illinois Bar Association, when in fact he is a member of the American Bar Association , Illinois State Bar Association, and Illinois Trial Lawyers and is very qualified, ADOPTION OF COUNCIL RULES - PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL NOTICE OF COUNCIL MEETING PLACE AND TIME. Motion by Alderman Clarke second by Alderman Mazza the adoption of the council rules of order. Voice vote, motion carried , NEW BUSINESS : ORDINANCE - ESTABLISHING COMMITTEES. First reading, read by title onl/y. There have been changes on some of the committees by dropping a name and adding it to another committee, and split public works, and make another committee of Lakes Buildings and Grounds. Mayor Edwards is asking for suspension of the rules as we cannot afford to wait two weeks before operating the business of the City. Motion by Alderman Kovachevich, second by Alderman Carl , to suspend the rules. Roll call , AYES: Aldermen Horr, Clarke, Carl , Grant, Mazza, Selfridge, Hammond , Kovachevich, NAYS: None. Motion carried. : 8 ayes O nays 0 absent. Motion by Alderman Grant, second by Alderman Horr, the ordinance be placed on its passage. Roll call , AYES : Aldermen Kovachevich, Hammond, Selfridge, Mazza, Grant, Carl , Clarke, Horr. NAYS : None. Motion carried , 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. Ordinance being #885, MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS . The appointment of James Malmgren as City Attorney. Motion by Alderman Grant, second by Alderman Kovachevich, the appointment be confirmed . Roll call . AYES : Aldermen Horr, Grant, Kovachevich. NAYS : Aldermen Clarke, Carl , Mazza, Selfridge, Hammond. Motion defeated , 3 ayes 5 nays 0 absent. Mayor Edwards stated that taking the advice of Frank Pfiffer legal counsel for the Illinois Municipal League, he then appointed James Malmgren as City Attorney for a 30 day period. And no confirmation is needed, according to Frank Pfiffer so reported Mayor Edwards. Alderman Mazza stated that he took acceptance to the opinion given by the Illinois Municipal League, He did not feel that the research that 's been done, that any appointment, has to be confirmed by this council . Mayor Edwards said that he was sorry, but that he had confirmed for the second time today with the chief council of the Illinois Municipal League and that 's the position he's taking and he 's not changing it. Appointment of Rhonda Vogel as secretary to the mayor, at a salary of $12 ,700.00 a year. Motion by Alderman Carl , second by Alderman Clarke, the appointment be confirmed . Roll call . AYES: Aldermen Kovachevich, Hammond, Selfridge, Mazza , Grant, Carl , Clarke, Horr. Motion carried . 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. Motion by Alderman Horr, second by Alderman Grant, the appointment of Larry Sarff and James T. May to the liquor commission be confirmed . Roll call . AYES: Aldermen Horr, Clarke, Carl , Grant, Mazza, Selfridge, Hammond , Kovache- vich. NAYS: None. Motion carried. 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. Motion by Alderman Grant, second by Alderman Horr, the appointment of an ad-hoc committee consisting of Aldermen Kovachevich, Carl , Hammond and Clarke for sidewalks with the Chamber of Commerce be confirmed. Roll call . AYES : Aldermen Kovachevich, Hammond , Selfridge, Mazza , Grant , Carl , Clarke, Horr. NAYS: None. Motion carried. 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. 123 Continued May 5th, 1981 Motion by Alderman Grant, second by Alderman Clarke, an ad-hoc committee for handicapped people consisting of Bill Cherry, Scott Richards and Fred Russell , work with the Moose Lodge' s civic committee be confirmed . Roll call . AYES: Aldermen Horr, Clarke, Carl , Grant, Mazza, Selfridge, Ham- mond , Kovachevich. NAYS : None. Motion carried . 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. Motion by Alderman Kovachevich, second by Alderman Clarke, the temporary appointment of Ray Hartle as zoning enforcement officer be confirmed . Roll call . AYES: Aldermen Kovachevich, Hammond , Selfridge, Mazza , Grant, Carl , Clarke, Horr. NAYS : None. Motion carried . 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. Motion by Alderman Carl , second by Alderman Mazza the re-appointment of Carmalee Ashwood as the director of ESDA be confirmed. Roll call . AYES : Aldermen Horr, Clarke, Carl , Grant, Mazza, Selfridge, Hammond , Kovachevich. NAYS : None. Motion carried. 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. Motion by Alderman Kovachevich, second by Alderman Grant, the appointment of Richard Maurer and the appointment of Jim Elam to the Fire & Police Commission be confirmed. Roll call . AYES : Aldermen Kovachevich, Hammond , Selfridge, Mazza , Grant, Carl , Clarke, Horr. NAYS : None. Motion carried. 8 ayes 0 Q nays 0 absent. a Committee Appointments : Finance - Kovachevich Chm. , Carl , Hammond , Clarke. Negotiations Grievance and Personnel - Carl Chm. , Kovachevich, Hammond , Clarke. Community & Industrial Deve. - Clarke Chm. , Kovachevich, Hammond , Carl . Legal & Ordinance - Hammond Chm. , Kovachevich, Carl , Clarke. Public Safety & Traffic - Horr Chm. , Grant, Selfridge, Mazza . Street & Garbage - Selfridge Chm. , Horr, Grant, Mazza . Lake Building & Grounds - Grant Chm. , Horr, Selfridge, Mazza . Public Works Water & Sewer - Mazza Chm. , Horr, Grant, Selfridge. Motion by Alderman Horr, second by Alderman Carl , the appointments be confirmed . Roll call . AYES: Aldermen Horr, Clarke, Carl , Grant, Mazza , Selfridge, Hammond, Kovachevich. NAYS: None. Motion carried. 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. RESOLUTION - CONFIRMING THE MAYOR AS TEMPORARY CITY AGENT FROM CRAWFORD MURPHY & TILLY. Read by title and informational section of the resolution . Emil Cook from Crawford Murphy & Tilly stated that the City does need a representative, and with Gordon Braun being gone, it is normally the respons- ibility of the mayor to take over this position. If you want to change the authorization later you can do so by re-submitting the application. Motion by Alderman Mazza, second by Alderman Selfridge, the resolution be adopted . Roll call . AYES: Aldermen Kovachevich, Hammond , Selfridge, Mazza , Grant, Carl , Clarke, Horr. NAYS: None. Motion carried . 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. Resolution being #882. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSION. Alderman Hammond said that he had alot of questions that needed answers , but it will take some time before they can be answered. Motion by Alderman Selfridge, second by Alderman Clarke, refer the need to hire a City Engineer to the Negotiations, Grievances & Personnel Committee, and for the advertisement of same. Discussion. Voice vote, motion carried . Mayor Edwards stated that the Finance Committee will want to get togather with the department heads to work on budgets and also meet with the City Treasurer for the Appropriation Ordinance. The Illinois Municipal League puts out a hand book on City procedures , which is called the Illinois Municipal Handbook. Referred to the Finance Committee. 124 Continued May 5th, 1981 RESOLUTION - FOR STREET LIGHTS. Read by title only. Motion by Alderman Carl , second by Alderman Clarke, the resolution be adopted . Discussion . Roll call . AYES : Aldermen Hornr, Clarke, Carl , Grant, Mazza , Selfridge, Hammond, Kovachevich. NAYS: None. Motion carried. 8 ayes 0 nays 0 absent. Resolution being #883. ORDINANCE - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 10, SECTION 9 OF THE CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING THE DISCONTINUANCE OF WATER AND SEWER SERVICE. Mayor Edwards felt that a post card stating a five day notice before shut off of water service, was needed . Motion by Alderman Hammond second by Alderman Grant, this ordinance be sent back to the Water & Sewer committee. Voice vote, motion carried. ORDINANCE - AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR STOP SIGNS AT CERTAIN INTERSECTIONS. First reading, read in its entirety. BIDS - CITY AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEARS 1980-1981 AND 1981 -1982. Motion by Alderman Kovachevich, second by Alderman Horr, the City Clerk be directed to open the bids and identify the bidders. Voice vote, motion carried. The bidders are : Willock, Warning & Co.- 1980-81 $6,000.00 1981 -82 $6,500.00. Hocker & Hocker - 1980-81 $6,800.00, 1981-82 $7,500.00. Barber , Potts & Co. 1980-81 $6,385.00, 1981 -82 $6,970.00. McGladrey, Hendrickson & Co. - 1980- 81 $12,000.00, 1981 -82 $13,000.00. Clifton, Gunderson & Co. - 1980-81 $5,575.00, 1981 -82 $6,000.00. Peat, Marwick, & Mitchell - 1980-81 $6,000.00, 1981 -82 $6,400.00. Motion by Alderman Selfridge, second by Alderman Grant, the bids be referred to the Finance Committee. Voice vote, motion carried . ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Alderman Clarke, second by Alderman Selfridge, to adjourn. Voice vote, motion carried. Council adjourned at 7 :56 P.M . CITY CLERK APPROVED. MAYOR