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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/2015 Council Meeting Minutes City of Canton Council Meeting The Donald Edwards Way (Historic Depot) Canton 11 61520 11-17-2015 6:30pm A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on November 17, 2015 (6:30pm) in the Council Chambers,The Donald E. Edwards Way-50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois 61520. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Jeffrey Fritz, City Clerk Diana Pavley-Rock, Treasurer Crystal Wilkinson, Attorney Nancy Rabel, Fire Chief Tom Shubert, Police Chief Rick Nichols, Public Works Director Bill Terry, City Engineer Keith Plavec, SRPED Director Missy Towery, Lou Ann Armstrong-Clifton Larson MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Daily Ledger VIDEO SERVICES BY JOE GINGER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING INVOCATION PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA Aldermen Jim Nelson said he would be removing the item from the agenda (ordinance abating the bond levy)this will be placed on the next Council agenda. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD NOVEMBER 3, 2015 POLICE REPORT FIRE REPORT TREASURER'S REPORT Treasurer Crystal Wilkinson reported that at the end of October the general fund balance was $693,544.69. The water and sewer fund balance at the end of October was in the amount of $178,500.17. The Cemetery fund has a current balance of$41,496.00 Treasurer Wilkinson further explained that the motor fuel tax fund will be depleted so hopefully there will be some resolution within the coming months at the State level about the release of the funds to municipalities for the motor fuel tax. The City should be ok with what has been approved for payment from the MFT fund, but could run into problems around the month of May if the State does not release funds. BILL LIST Treasurer Wilkinson reported that the bill list reflects some bond payments that will be paid the first part of December for the water/sewer bond as well as the TIF. A question was raised by Alderman Ellis about a large expenditure for a hose adapter and cylinder assembly. Chief Shubert explained that this will be paid by grant funds. MAIN STREET WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS APPLICATION FOR PAYMENT NO 1 FROM UTILITY CONTRACTORS (HOERR CONSTRUCTION) IN THE AMOUNT OF$161,696.70 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/West to approve the consent agenda as presented. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich ABSTAIN Alderman West X The motion carried. FINANCE ALDERMAN JIM NELSON TAX LEVY DISCUSSION Louann Armstrong from Clifton Larson explained that she wanted to explain some information presented in a handout for review. The tax levy is money levied for the property taxes. This is money that comes out of the taxes and can be used for specific purposes. The State of Illinois establishes a rate or limit. Last year the City levied $2,309,032.00. This amount compared to the 2014/2015 actual reflects that the actual amounts of the expenses are significantly higher than the amount that was actually levied last year. Fund balances reflect that there is money that gets paid out, but it may not have the money available in the fund. The civil defense fund reflects a negative $75,000.00. The social security fund reflects a negative $220,000.00. The unemployment insurance fund reflects a negative $7,000.00. The workers compensation fund reflects a negative $175,000.00. Some of these funds are only paid out one time per year. Social Security is paid on a monthly basis so it will continue to create more of a deficit, so at the end of the budget year we will be even a larger deficit than we are now. The City is allowed to levy 5% over what was levied this year without a hearing. This would be filed at the County Courthouse and the City would receive this money. If you look at the deficits and that they are going to continue to grow it would be a good idea to consider trying to levy for more to help reduce the deficit. There has been some talk on the State level about freezing the tax rates. If the tax rates are frozen nobody knows for sure exactly what that will mean. If the rate is frozen at a rate we have now we will never be able to collect more than what we are currently collecting. Louann said this is a good time to give this some serious consideration and decide if the City wants to increase the levy or have it stay at the current level. Alderman Putrich asked what level of an increase is being recommended. Louann explained that she has pulled together various numbers ranging from the maximum amount allowed to a more moderate amount that would be something in the middle. Louann explained that if a truth in taxation hearing is held the City could further discuss the topic and then come back and vote on it. If you don't hold the hearing the 5% is the highest amount of an increase that would be allowed. The purpose of a hearing is to bring forth additional information. Alderman Jim Nelson explained that if a truth in taxation hearing is held there will be a need to have solid numbers that would be placed in the notification. Alderman Jim Nelson said that the City has not levied correctly for a number of year. There has been excess money in various funds that have been paid down to prevent increases in taxes; however it eventually gets to the point that something needs to be done. The 5% increase that the City could levy without a truth in taxation hearing would be $115,487.00. If the City had a 28.004% increase it would reflect a dollar amount of$2,965,670.00-which would increase our money by$655,929.00. On a home with a owner occupied taxable value of$33,570.00 would increase the City portion of the tax bill by$163.95. This would not county any of the other taxing entities. Alderman Jim Nelson said the City does not need to decide tonight on a truth in taxation hearing, but it need to be decided so the tax levy ordinance can be filed with the County Clerk by the last Tuesday in December. If a truth in taxation hearing is going to be held, notification must be placed in the newspaper no less than 7 days before the hearing or more than 14 days before the hearing. The Council could make a determination at the next Council meeting with the numbers prepared and then put notification in the newspaper the next day for a hearing. WIRC(WESTERN ILLINOIS REGIONAL COUNCIL) PRESENTATION Susan Nash (Executive Director of Western Illinois Regional Council) addressed the Council with information and the services that is provided by Western Illinois Regional Council. Since 1992 the City of Canton has received 2 million dollars in funding from Western Illinois Regional Council. They were able to help administer the Cook facility construction and the Canton downtown facade program. In 1998 Western Illinois Regional Council wrote the original grant to the USEPA that resulted in the cleanup of that site that turned into an opportunity for economic development. The City was previously a dues paying member of the Western Illinois Regional Council, but in the last four years the City has decided not to pay dues for membership. Susan Nash said that the fact that they wrote over 2 million dollars worth of grants over a 23 year period which created a substantial return on investment for the City. Susan said she would ask the Council to consider membership once again with WIRC. The WIRC will be working with Canton on a housing rehabilitation grant and potential target areas for grant funding along with an abandoned properties grant application. WIRC would work directly with the City on various grants either by request of the City or by notification from WIRC on available grants. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON ALLOCATING MONIES FOR AN APPRAISAL FOR TAX APPEAL FOR THE HARVESTER INN The Harvester Inn appealed their property taxes. The City, County, School Board and possibly other taxing bodies are filing a letter of intervention to protest the appeal. When this was previously discussed before the last budget process the City discussed budgeting money for this. Attorney Rabel said it is her understanding that this is not in the budget for this year. Attorney Rabel further explained that if the tax appeal goes through at the suggested appraisal amount, it would have a negative impact on our TIF. Attorney Rabel contacted the school district, the College Board, park district, county and township to see if they would be able to help with the cost involved in an appraisal. It would be a TIF eligible expense. A qualified appraisal and process could be approximately $10,000.00. This was not a budgeted expenditure. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Justin Nelson to approve the expenditure for up to $10,000.00 with hopes of recouping some of the money from the other taxing bodies. The money would come out of the TIF fund. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich ABSTAIN Alderman West X The motion carried. DISCUSS CONSIDER AND VOTE ON THE ALLOCATION OF MONIES FOR ASBESTOS INSPECTION AT SIESTA MOTEL Alderman Jim Nelson explained that the City is seeking approval for the expenditure of $1500.00 for an asbestos inspection. The City has the title to the deed for the Siesta Motel and hopes to have it cleaned up for development opportunities. Before demolition takes place (and EPA permits can be issued) on the Siesta Motel an inspection needs to be performed to determine if there is asbestos remaining on the property. This would be a TIF eligible expense from the TIF II account. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/West to accept the allocation of money for an asbestos inspection at the Siesta Motel from the TIF II fund. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich ABSTAIN Alderman West X The motion carried. DISCUSS. CONSIDER AND VOTE ON ADOPTING GRAHAM HOSPITAL'S WELLNESS PROGRAM AND AMENDING THE CURRENT PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF CANTON EMPLOYEES. The City of Canton adopted a wellness program with Graham Hospital back in 2008 for the city employees that are structured on a point system that was implemented back in 2008. Graham Hospital has since updated their wellness program and is offering the same program to the City of Canton. There is language in the union contracts that states they have a wellness program that is from Graham Hospital, but could be amended from time to time. The City currently utilizes Optimum Health of Peoria for a blood screening that is held annually. City Clerk Diana Pavley-Rock said she would like to have these services performed by a local hospital. By utilizing Graham Hospital for the screening we would be keeping this service within our local community. The City currently budgets $100.00 per employee for the screening and $200.00 per employee for the wellness incentive payout. The purpose of a wellness program is to promote overall health and wellness to employees, but to be able to have a return on investment by having fewer claims that reduces the overall cost of insurance. Jake Green from Graham Hospital's wellness program addressed the council with the program details along with the structure of the point system and the incentives employee would receive for their participation in the program. There is an increase in the amount currently being budgeted for the screenings. This would increase from $100.00 per employee to $129.00 per employee for the screening. The incentive program budgeted amount of$200.00 per employees would remain the same. The program is structured more to achieve the overall wellness goal for the employees. Some of the employees currently receiving the $200.00 will need to meet actual goals designed by Graham Hospital for overall wellness or they will not receive the full $200.00 incentive. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Hale to adopt Graham Hospital's wellness program. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The Motion carried. LEGAL AND ORDINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALDERMAN TAD PUTRICH GOOD ENERGY PRESENTATION Representatives from Good Energy presented information for residential energy. Currently they are the residential energy consultants for the City of Canton. The City of Canton is within a very large aggregation of communities that they are the consultants for. The City is just a little over a year in a purchasing contract- where they purchase power for the City of Canton. The contract period runs from June 2014-June 2016. The savings were relatively moderate during the first year; however the savings in the second year was quite significant. The actual savings this year from June to the end of the current electric contract is $120-140 year per home. This represents the largest savings in Ameren. The City has a municipal fee that is part of the program that brings in approximately $35,000.00 per year that is used for energy related items in the general fund. When people move into Canton they receive an opt out letter at the current rate of 4.5 cents. The current rate with Ameren is at 6.0-7.0 cents. The purchase made for June 2014-June 2016 has greatly benefited the community. The total savings to the community is $650,000.00 between residence and small businesses. Many companies try to offer these services, but this is by far the best rate. Many changes are underway for regulatory changes in Illinois and is being driven by national, local renewable standards. This is not a time to gamble with this. DISCUSS. CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST BY SNOWMAN'S STUDIOS INC FOR THE SNOWMAN'S REINDEER TO BE HELD ON 11-28-2015 FROM 10:30AM TO 12:30PM AT THE CANTON SQUARE NEXT TO THE SANTA HOUSE. A special event request was submitted by Tracy and Scott Snowman for an event to display their newly acquired live reindeer in Jones Park on Small Business Saturday alongside the Santa House. The event will be held on November 28, 2015 from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Tracy Snowman addressed the Council regarding the event and explained that information was distributed to further explain their event. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Putrich to accept the special event request. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A CONSULTING AGREEMENT WITH DACOTT ENERGY FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS. #5036 George Hall representing Dacott Energy was at the meeting and explained that a presentation was made at the last Council meeting. Dacott cut their fee lower than Good Energy for the last four years. George further explained that he feels Dacott could match the savings that was presented by Good Energy. Alderman Ellis said he thinks the City should send the energy services out for a bidding process to make it a competitive bidding process. Alderman Jim Nelson--- said they all go to the same utility company and essentially you're just hiring a firm. Dacott's fee was approximately half the amount of Good Energy's fee. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Putrich to approve the resolution that was on the agenda tonight and presented two weeks ago. DISCUSSION: Alderman Justin Nelson raised concerns that Dacott made a presentation last week, but Good Energy was not given the same opportunity to present to the Council at the last meeting. Alderman Justin Nelson further explained that since Good Energy is just presenting tonight to the Council for the first time it doesn't seem like the City gave them the same opportunity. Alderman Jim Nelson said that he would pick a local contact over a Peoria contact everyday of the week. Alderman Justin Nelson said that if we are not pressed for time on this decision he would like to see this brought back in two weeks. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST BY THE SALVATION ARMY KETTLE KICK OFF TO BE HELD ON 11-20-2015 FROM 11:30AM TO 12:30PM AT JONES PARK AND THE CEFCU LOT A special event request was submitted by Lieutenant Sarah Eddy for the Salvation Army kickoff to their annual Kettle Drive. The event will be held in Jones Park. The parking spaces requested would be used for the canteen vehicle and the giant kettle. The event would be held on November 20, 2015 from 11:30am to 12:30pm. This will kick off the fundraising effort with the goal of raising$53,000.00. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Putrich/Mayhew to approve the special event request by the Salvation Army for the Kettle Kick off to be held on November 20, 2015. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL ALDERMAN JUSTIN NELSON,CHAIRMAN PUBLIC SAFETY&TRAFFIC ALDERWOMAN ANGELA HALE, CHAIRMAN STREETS AND GARBAGE ALDERMAN RYAN MAYHEW, CHAIRMAN LAKE, BUILDINGS&GROUNDS ALDERMAN JOHN LOVELL, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON THE PURCHASE OF A ZERO TURN MOWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,082.00 FOR GREENWOOD CEMETERY. Public Works Director Bill Terry explained that one of the mowers at Greenwood Cemetery is in poor shape and needs to be replaced. The City received two bids for the mower. A bid was received from Trac Equipment for a walker mower and the other bid was received from Midwest Equipment. Public Works Director Bill Terry's recommendation was to accept the low bid for the walker mower from Trac Equipment. This is currently a budgeted item. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Lovell/Justin Nelson to approve the purchase of the mower from Trac Equipment in the amount of$9,082.00. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderwoman Hale X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Ellis X Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderman Mayhew X Alderman Jim Nelson X Alderman Putrich X Alderman West X The motion carried. PUBLIC WORKS,WATER&SEWER ALDERMAN GERALD ELLIS, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS ADA SIDEWALK RAMPS BY JC PENNEY City Engineer Keith Plavec explained that the discussion on the sidewalk ramps by JCPenney originally started in 2014. There are currently three areas that are within the City right of way that a request was made to add ADA ramps. This was just recently brought up because an individual could not get down this area with their wheelchair and complained to Penney's. The other two areas being considered is on the other side of Penney's that does not have a ramp. A quote was obtained from B's Concrete and Construction in the amount of $4,897.00 for all three areas. Keith wanted to know if the City wanted to consider helping with the funding from the TIF 1 or the TIF 1 bonding fund. Keith Plavec further explained that additional research would need to take place regarding the prevailing wages and see if B's Concrete is charging prevailing wages. This will be brought back to the next Council meeting for further discussion. UPDATE ON LIGHTING PROJECT AND WATER MAIN City Engineer Keith Plavec explained that the City has been working on street lighting in the downtown area. These lights will be installed and have concrete poured around the bases. There was a delay from IDOT with the lighting. There are areas with barricades sitting over the top of the foundations. Citizens will continue to see this until sometime in March. Keith made some phone calls to MOT expressing some frustration. All of the work being done in the sidewalk area is the street lighting project. Once the lights are in we will need to have decent weather to install them. The contract with IDOT would allow them to go up to the month of June. COMMUNICATION FROM MAYOR JEFFREY FRITZ JIM ELSON Mayor Fritz said it is with great sadness that he wanted to inform everyone of the passing of Jim Elson last week. Jim was very involved in the community where he served as the City Attorney for many years and sat on the planning and zoning committee and library board. Mayor fritz extended his condolences and sympathy to the Elson family. POLICE DEPARTMENT AWARDS: Chief Nichols presented awards to Officer Nick Williamson and On 9-23-2015 at approximately 6:00am Officers Keith Grant and Nick Williamson responded to a house fire on West Locust in Canton. The caller on the line that was speaking with the dispatcher was telling him that her house was on fire and she was unable to get out. Chief Nichols said he listened to the 911 call and could hear the panic in her voice as she was asking for help and the responders to hurry. Officer Keith Grant was the first one at the scene and observed that the home had black smoke pouring out of the windows. Officer Grant entered the burning home and was able to locate the resident in the chair. As officer Grant was getting the resident up and moved her toward the front door he was met by Officer Williamson. Together they were able to get the victim out of the house. For their efforts each officer was nominated and has received the life saving award from the police hall of fame. It is good to know that as we are enjoying our morning coffee the men and women of the Canton Police Department are out at night watching over us. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Lovell to adjourn without the need for an executive session. Diana Pavley-Rock, City Clerk Jeffrey A. Fritz, Mayor