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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/01/2015 Council Meeting Minutes City of Canton Council Meeting The Donald Edwards Way (Historic Depot) Canton 11 61520 12-01-2015 6:30pm A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on December 1, 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, SRPED Director Missy Towery, Lou Ann Armstrong-Clifton Larson MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Daily Ledger, Fulton Democrat VIDEO SERVICES BY JOE GINGER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING INVOCATION-Alderman Gerald Ellis 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 Alderman Putrich asked to amend the agenda and have the Community & Industrial Development Committee moved so it would be after the consent agenda. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD NOVEMBER 17, 2015 Alderman Putrich asked to have the November 17, 2015 Council minutes corrected to reflect that Missy Towery was not in attendance. BILL LIST WWTP MISCELLANEOUS IMPROVEMENTS APPLICATION FOR PAYMENT NO. 14 FROM LEANDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF$41,520.79 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Jim Nelson to approve the consent agenda as presented and correct the minutes from the November 17, 2015 Council minutes. 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. COMMITTEE REPORTS: COMMUNITY& INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALDERMAN TAD PUTRICH UPDATE FROM MISSY TOWERY-SRPED Missy Towery explained that during the past month she worked on an action plan meeting. The meeting was a combination of the recruitment for business committee, transportation and residential committees as well as the partnership board. A list of topics were created as well as action items for 2016. The four priorities were: * The four lane highway * Residential development * Theater * Business climate A press conference took place by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. One of the programs (First Home Illinois) is for a $7,000.00 cash assistance grant for first time home buyers and veterans. The money can be used for closing costs and down payment costs. The other program (At Home Illinois) is a $5,000.00 loan program to first time homebuyers and veterans for zero percent over a 10 year period. This program will go past January 1. Anyone interested can call the Spoon River Partnership office or visit the IHDA.org website. Missy further explained that she is working with Senator Koehler's office regarding house bill 4035. This bill appropriates the funds for distribution of motor fuel tax funds, 911 grants, video gaming revenues and payment of lottery prizes. The hope is to be able to have these revenues start coming into municipalities. Representatives from OSF recently visited the Giant Goose Ranch for the possibility of purchasing a cabin for their pediatric cancer patients. Friday, December 3, 2015 is the Christmas walk in the downtown area. The Canton Main Street Board recently discussed addressing pet owners in the downtown area about taking care of their pets messes. The Canton Main Street will begin a large initiative to have the community support their efforts in keeping the downtown area beautiful. Saturday,January 16, 2016 will be the Glacial Golf event. FINANCE ALDERMAN JIM NELSON DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON HOLDING A TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING ON DECEMBER 15, 2015. Lou Ann Armstrong from Clifton Larson discussed the tax levy. The levy amount from last year was $2,309,032.00. The City would be allowed without any formal approval process to levy for an amount equal to 5% over this amount. If the City would want to levy for anything about the 5%, a truth in taxation hearing would need to be held. Lou Ann presented different examples on how an increase would impact a citizens tax bill. The tax bills have two separate items for the City of Canton. One item listed as the City of Canton would be funds allocated for the general fund which would include the fire protection, police protection, cemetery, auditing, tort liability, civil defense, unemployment insurance and workers compensation. The second item showing City of Canton-pension. The pensions would include police pension, fire pension, and social security. Lou Ann explained that there is really just a small portion of the money that comes to the City for the services that are provided. The example tax bill has a fair market cash value of 97,840.00. The total tax bill was $2,613.30. The portion that came back to the City was $548.82. If the City would file a levy for 5% over last year's amount it would increase this particular tax bill by$5.16. If the City would levy 15% over last year's amount it would increase this particular tax bill $57.90. If the City would levy 20% over last year's amount it would increase this particular tax bill $84.27. These amounts would be for just the City portion of the tax bill. The levy amount that was discussed at the last meeting- which would cover all of the specific levied categories would increase the tax bill presented as an example by$126.49. The final levy would be to add $150,000.00 just to go into the general fund which would increase the tax bill by$160.75. Lou Ann further explained that these examples would help with discussing what amount of an increase the City would decide to present for their tax levy. When the City prepares the levy they would identify what category the funds would be applied towards. A 5% increase would represent $115,000.00 which is a total tax levy of$2,424,483.00. The City would then establish what fund the money would go to. Alderman Jim Nelson said that once you hold a hearing you would not be able to change the figures being presented unless you would hold another hearing. The City has been short for a longtime and the Council will need to decide what amount of an increase will take place. A notice for a hearing would need to go in the paper by December 15th and the levy must be filed with the County by the last Tuesday in December. Alderman Jim Nelson said that the levy was not prepared properly in the past. If the City does just a 5% increase, a hearing would not be necessary. Alderman Jim Nelson further explained that he would not be in favor of the maximum increase because of problems that took place within the City during the last ten years. Alderman Ellis said we need to raise the taxes so we can have money coming in and not look at what happened in the past. If the problem came from the last ten years--the last three years is the problem of the current council. The Council needs to forget the past and whoever was here in the past and just move forward. This Council should have corrected this problem within the last three years. Alderman Ellis further explained that the Council must bite the bullet and say they all made a mistake and not put the blame on the past---- the past is over. We need to make sure we have enough money coming into the City to pay the fire, police and other departments that provide the services. Alderman Mayhew explained that we need to be fiscally responsible in the years coming. He would not be in favor of a 30% increase because we have many people in our community that is on a fixed income. The City could look at a 15% increase and then look at cuts during the budget process. Further discussion took place regarding the proposed property tax freeze being proposed by the State. It is not certain at this time how a freeze would impact proposed rate increases. Alderman Justin Nelson said the departments have already cut personnel and is not in a position to be able to cut anymore people and still be able to operate. Mayor Fritz said he realizes the shortfall happened over time, but does not want to layoff anyone. He said he does not want to go for the highest tax increase , but thinks the City would need to compromise by raising the taxes; however we can't expect the citizens to pay the entire burden. The City must compromise between how the City is run and the property tax increase. Alderman Putrich said he doesn't want to raise taxes so high that we run people out of town. Alderman Justin Nelson said the City will be put in a bad position if people are cut. It will create liability issues when we do not have the personnel to cover essential services such as police and fire calls. It will be very difficult to cut people, when you don't have people to cut. A 20% increase would only get the City 2/3 the way to where we need to be with the budget--- according to Aldermen Justin Nelson. The Canton School District is not holding a hearing--- not sure about the township--- county is not having one---- if the other taxing bodies are not holding a hearing their taxes could not increase more than the 5%. Mayor Fritz said that if the other taxing bodies are not increasing their taxes over the 5%- the impact from the city would be minimized if the other agencies are not increasing above the 5%. Mayor Fritz further explained that the pensions for the police and fire are set by statute. What will affect the pension is the salaries that are negotiated. Alderwoman Angela Hale said she would be in support of a 20% increase. Motion and second were made by Alderwoman Hale/Justin Nelson to have a truth in taxation hearing with a 20% increase in the levy. Discussion: Lou Ann Armstrong asked if the truth in taxation hearing is held with a proposed 20% increase if the City could come back and decide to go with a lower amount. Alderman Jim Nelson said he would not be sure why the City would even want to go with a lower amount if that is what the proposed amount would be. 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 failed. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Mayhew/Lovell to hold a truth in taxation hearing with a 15% increase. 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. Alderman Ellis explained that his no vote was because that is not enough money to levy. The numbers that Lou Ann presented shows the City needs closer to a 27% increase. This will cause the City to tighten the budget and have some cuts. APPROVAL OF THE EXPENDITURE FOR 50% OF THE COST FOR HAND HELD RADIOS MICROPHONES AND EARPIECES FOR THE WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM FROM THE ASSET FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF$2,775.00 Chief Nichols explained that the multi jurisdiction task force between the City of Canton police force and the Fulton County Sheriff's department has been in operation for approximately two years. During this time period the communication between the two departments have been hindered and has to be run on separate frequencies. Mike McCormick from the Sheriff's department did some research and found that the proposed expenditure would be an effective way to have their team be able to have radio communications during their search warrants. The cost for the radios are a greatly discounted. The radios are overstocked at Ragan Communications so they were able to make a good deal to the City. The discount was between $75.00-$100.00 per radio. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Jim Nelson/Mayhew to approve the expenditure of 50% for the cost for hand held radios, microphones and earpieces for the West Central Illinois Special Response Team from the asset forfeiture fund in the amount of$2,775.00. 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. LEGAL AND ORDINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST-ABSENT ALDERMAN TAD PUTRICH-ACTING CHAIR APPROVAL OF A CLASS B LIQUOR LICENSE FOR RANCHO NUEVO MEXICAN RESTAURANT INC TO BE LOCATED AT 811 NORTH MAIN IN CANTON. Mayor Fritz explained that the liquor control commission met last week to review the request for a Class B liquor license for Rancho Nuevo Mexican Restaurant Inc. It was the recommendation of the commission to approve the license. The background check for the manager is still pending. If the background check comes back unfavorable a new manager will need to be named. A background check on the owner was recently performed for their current restaurant (Camino Real) Motion and second were made by Aldermen Putrich/Justin Nelson to approve the Class B liquor license for Rancho Nuevo Mexican Restaurant Inc at 811 North Main in Canton. 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 ORDINANCE REGARDING ANIMALS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS-SPECIFICALLY POTBELLIED PIGS Alderwoman Hale explained that she received some phone calls regarding a request for potbellied pigs within the city limits. Alderman Lovell said he did research and found that the pigs grow to be over 100 lbs. Many of the adult pigs end up in shelters. Alderman Lovell said he would not be in favor of allowing the potbellied pigs in town. Attorney Rabel said the potbellied pigs would be classified as swine and would not be allowed within the City limits according to our current code. No further action was taken. 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 PUBLIC WORKS, WATER&SEWER ALDERMAN GERALD ELLIS, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS ADA SIDEWALK RAMPS BY JC PENNEY Alderman Ellis explained that Cook received a bid from a contractor for approximately $4,800.00 for the work. According to Steve Kline prevailing wage would be required to use TIF funds for the project. The City could have the street department do the work next spring or the City could place this project out for bid to the contractors that would be paying prevailing wage. Attorney Rabel explained that she talked to Public Works Director Bill Terry about the project. Bill Terry said the street department would be willing to do the work next spring if the funds are available. The State currently is not releasing any video gaming funds. The City previously was using video gaming funds for sidewalk repairs. The state may release the funds by the spring time. Alderman Ellis suggested prioritizing the handicap ramps so they would be addressed before other sidewalks in the spring. Alderwoman Hale explained that this project would definitely be a priority due to safety concerns. COMMUNICATION FROM MAYOR JEFFREY FRITZ Mayor Fritz said he would like to start the budget planning a month earlier this year. He suggested holding a meeting either January 16th or 23rd Mayor Fritz wants everyone to check their schedules to let him know what date works best. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Justin Nelson/Lovell to adjourn into executive session for personnel 51LCS120/2 C1 5ilcs 120/2 (c)1 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. The meeting adjourned without any additional information for open session. Diana Pavley-Rock, City Clerk Jeffrey A. Fritz, Mayor