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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-07-2020 Council Meeting Minutes City of Canton Council Meeting ZOOM Video conferencing April 7, 2020 6:30PM A regular meeting of the Council meeting was held on April 7, 2020 (6:30pm) via zoom webinar. The webinar ID 157 822 723 STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Kent McDowell, Attorney Chris Jump, City Clerk Diana Pavley Rock, Treasurer Crystal Wilkinson, Public Safety Director Richard Fairburn, Utility Director Joe Carruthers, Street Superintendent Ron Robinson, Beka Schulz-CLA, City Engineer Keith Plavec MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Daily Ledger, Fulton Democrat VIDEO SERVICES BY JOE GINGER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING INVOCATION— Mayor Kent McDowell PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -Parlin Ingersoll Library (Attorney Trygve Meade/Partin Ingersoll Library Director Kim Bunner) Attorney Trygve Meade said he would like to explain why the Parlin Ingersoll Library is asking the City to levy property taxes for them. The decision to have the City levy property taxes for the library is not one that was taken lightly, but they do feel that it is necessary. The usual source of income for the library- for almost everything is the Charles Ingersoll Trust. This year was a better year than normal, but even in good years the library is always very close to the edge of being in deficit. This year the library is under$20,000.00 in deficit. This deficit is not horrible, but something that the library does not feel they can sustain over the long term. As the result of a law that Governor Pritzker signed increasing the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour over the period of time-until 2025. This will affect almost all of the employees at the library by salary increases. The salary increases along with the capital improvements that have been recommended means that after all of the minimum wage increases take place the library could be facing more than a $300, 000.00 deficit on a yearly basis. The annual operating budget usually is around$600,000.00-$650,000.00. If the library had a deficit of$300,000.00,they would simply run out of money in a couple of years. As a result of the changes in the law with the salary increases and the capital improvement plans, the library can not do this without additional revenue. The library board members did not see a way to continue without requesting the City levy property taxes. Since Parlin Ingersoll Library is a municipal library this would be the way it would need to be done. The library is not a separate taxing district. The library would send a written request for the amount of money that they are asking the City to levy on their behalf. The City would then include this amount on the levy for the next fiscal year—which the City would pass in December. This money is collected by the Treasurer and placed into a separate library fund-which is then paid over to the library. The individual property tax bills would include aline showing it was for the Parlin Ingersoll Library fund. The request is to levy at the minimum possible rate which is .15%. It is then anticipated this would be approximately $300,000.00 and the average impact on the individual household would be approximately$45.00-$50.00 per year on their property tax bill. This request will not increase the library's surplus, but instead would allow the library to continue to operate as a library. The trust would still provide approximately 63%of the library's total funding. The next action that would be needed from the City would be to include this amount on the levy in December. The library is planning on charging people that live outside of the community a fee of approximately $45.00-$50.00 per year for a library card. Since citizens outside of Canton would not be paying property taxes, this would be a way to help make it fair for everyone that uses the services the library offers. The library is also currently looking at some USDA grants; however, any grant received would not be a long-term solution. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA Attorney Jump said he would like to move agenda item #5 under the legal and ordinance committee to the end of the meeting. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD MARCH 16, 2020 AND THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 17, 2020 BILL LIST Motion and second were made by Aldermen Hale/Lovell to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: FINANCE ALDERMAN RYAN MAYHEW, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR ALL CORPORATE PURPOSES OF THE CITY OF CANTON, FULTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN LIEU OF AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNNG MAY 1, 2020 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2020 (1ST READING) Alderman Ryan Mayhew explained that after the budget meetings the City now has a surplus in the proposed budget. The idea of a transitional plan for the Spoon River Partnership was a suggestion by Alderman Ryan Mayhew. Mayor McDowell said he would like to leave the budget as it is and then could work on it in the next year or two. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON APPROVAL OF THE FINAL PAY APPLICATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,459.50 FOR THE ANDERSON LIFT STATION GENERATOR Engineer Keith Plavec explained that this request is for the Anderson lift station generator and is the last pay request. The project has been completed and has been inspected. This was a budgeted item. It is the recommendation of Engineer Plavec to pay this out of account number 300-77-58100 MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Ryan/Nelson to approve the final pay application in the amount of$9,459.50 from account number 300-77-58100 ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PURCHASE AND FINANCING OF A 2020 WESTERN STAR DUMP TRUCK ORDINANCE#4186 The City will have a $60,000.00 down payment and then will finance the remaining part of a five-year period for the 2020 Western Star dump truck. The total purchase price is in the amount of$153,896.00. Further discussion took place regarding the warranty. MOTION-and second were made by Aldermen Ryan Mayhew/Nelson to waive the rules for a second reading of the ordinance. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. DISCUSSION: Alderman Ryan Mayhew explained that the $60,000.00 will come out of the fiscal year 2020 budget and paid from the 001-53-58100. The $94,054.00 will be financed over the remaining four years in equal payments. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ryan Mayhew/Hale to approve the ordinance and place in on file- including the $60,000.00 that can be issued by the City Treasurer. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. LEGAL AND ORDINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON APPROVING AN INSURANCE RENEWAL BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND GUARDIAN FOR THE POLICY TERM PERIOD MAY 1, 2020 TO APRIL 30, 2021 RESOLUTION #5232 Insurance consultant Tim Wyman (Wyman Group) explained that there was a slight increase with Guardian for the dental plan. The Wyman group shopped the plan extensively, but couldn't find anything comparable. BCBS offered 1% off of the medical plan if the City switched the dental over to BCBS, but the rates were very high to do this and would not be cost effective. Tim said his recommendation would be to stay with Guardian insurance with the same benefits offered. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Lingenfelter to approve the resolution and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INSURANCE RENEWAL BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ILLINOIS FOR THE POLICY TERM PERIOD MAY 1, 2020 TO APRIL 30, 2021 RESOLUTION #5233 Insurance consultant Tim Wyman explained that he received the initial renewal with BCBS the end of February. The initial renewal offered by BCBS was a 23% increase. BCBS came down to a 16% increase after the negotiations began. Humana offered a rate better than the 16%. BCBS then came down to an 11% increase as their final offer. The City had a 98% loss ratio and also has three significant ongoing claims that impacts the renewal. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Nelson to approve the resolution and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A RESOLUTION ADOPTING ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL POLICIES FOR THE CITY OF CANTON RELATED TO THE CORONA VIRUS/COVID-19 AND THE FAMILIES FOR CORONA VIRUS RESPONSE ACT- RESOLUTION #5234 Attorney Jump explained that he sent out a policy to the bargaining units and employees regarding the family medical leave expansion and the emergency sick leave. These are both federal laws that came into place after the covid-19 pandemic. The law becomes effective April 1, 2020. Attorney Jump would like to have the council formally approve the policies and to keep this in mind during budgeting discussions. Under the new FMLA expansion if an employee is unable to work or telework due to a child being home because their school has been closed-due to coronavirus reasons. The employees would be allowed FMLA leave for this now as paid leave at a rate of 2/3 of their pay. Certain employees can be exempt from this- healthcare workers, emergency responders-dispatchers and commissioned offers. The Mayor did want to make sure our first responders, dispatchers and commissioned offers were provided some additional sick leave. It is still to be determined how municipal governments will receive any credits for payments made under these policies. Under the emergency sick leave policy there are certain qualifying reasons. If a person is a full-time employee and they qualify for one of the reasons they are entitled to 80 hours of additional sick time. This would be in addition to whatever they are allowed otherwise. Private employers are allowed to get a 100% tax credit toward their payroll taxes. This is not available to municipal governments. This is still to be determined how it will be reimbursed to municipalities. Attorney Jump said it is important that everyone understands that this new emergency sick leave is in addition to what has been budgeted for regular sick leave for employees. City Clerk Diana Pavley Rock will be getting the required documentation from employees and putting this as a separate line item in payroll. This will be for record keeping purpose in the event some relief is available to municipalities. Attorney Jump explained that he would need to add the stated cap outlined in the policy and will forward a new copy to everyone. This City would not be allowed to require the employee to use their accrued sick time first. Employees would be able to supplement with accrued time off to get the full amount of pay. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/ Nelson to approve the resolution and place it on file with the addition of the cap in section two. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT OF LOCAL FUNDS FROM THE UNITED STATES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (USEDA) FOR A PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE (PWEAA) GRANT- RESOLUTION #5235 Engineer Keith Plavec explained that this resolution is in regards to potential funding available. A document was submitted for the EDA public works funding for the water treatment plant improvements. This is a project to replace the high service pumps and to connect the clear well. A meeting took place with EDA and they asked the city to start the application process. As part of the application process, several items will need to be gathered and submitted. The project is estimated at 2.1 million dollars for construction. The minimum grant is 50%- which would then be just under 1.1 million dollars. They are asking for a commitment that if the City is to receive a grant, would the City be able to secure funding to cover the rest of the costs. Mayor McDowell reached out to Mid America Bank to see if they would be willing to finance up to 1.1 million dollars if the city received this grant. This resolution would only go into place if the City is able to secure this grant. WIRC assists the City with the grant and prepared the proposed support and commitment of local funds. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Lingenfelter to approve the resolution and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING PUBLIC COMMENT RULES AND PUBLIC COMMENT RULES DURING A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY(Vt READING) ORDINANCE#4187 Attorney Jump explained that the governor issued some new executive orders on open meetings. A provision for local state of emergencies was included in the ordinance. It is important to allow for public comments and to remain transparent. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Hale to waive the rules for the second reading. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Lovell to approve the ordinance and place it on file. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL ALDERMAN JUSTIN NELSON, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ANSWER TO GRIEVANCE (STEP 2) FILED BY THE CANTON POLICE UNION PB&PA#52 ON OR ABOUT MARCH 26, 2020 Attorney Jump said he would like to go into executive session to discuss this. The council will then return back to open session to vote on this item. COMMUNITY& INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALDERMAN JOHN LOVELL, CHAIRMAN PUBLIC WORKS, WATER AND SEWER ALDERMAN ANGIE LINGENFELTER, CHAIRMAN PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRAFFIC ALDERWOMAN ANGELA HALE, CHAIRMAN STREETS AND GARBAGE ALDERMAN JEFF FRITZ, CHAIRMAN LAKE, BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS ALDERMAN QUIN MAYHEW, CHAIRMAN MAYOR COMMUNICATION Mayor McDowell said he would like to encourage residents to purchase totes for their garbage pickup. The purchase of the totes is important to keeping the sanitation workers safe during the covid-19 pandemic. The playgrounds in the parks are all closed. People are asked to limit their children from forming groups and to keep practicing social distancing during the covid-19 pandemic. It is predicted that the virus will peak in the next week or two. Mayor McDowell asked everyone to stay inside as much as possible, to wear masks in public and to limit contact with other people. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT MOTION and second were made by Aldermen Nelson/Lovell to go into executive session for: 51LCS 120/2 C1, C2, C21 ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. City of Canton Reconvened Council Meeting ZOOM Video Conferencing APRIL 7, 2020 8:37PM Mayor McDowell called the regular council meeting back to order after the executive session. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. LEGAL AND ORDINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A RESOLUTION REPORTING THE NEED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY OR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF CLOSED MEETING MINUTES PURSUANT TO THE ILLINOIS OPEN MEETINGS ACT. RESOLUTION #5236 Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Lingenfelter to keep the minutes confidential through April 6, 2020. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL ALDERMAN JUSTIN NELSON, CHAIRMAN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND VOTE ON AN ANSWER TO GRIEVANCE (STEP 2) FILED BY THE CANTON POLICE UNION PB&PA#52 ON OR ABOUT MARCH 26, 2020 Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Nelson to deny the grievance step two. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Justin X Nelson Alderwoman X Lingenfelter Alderman Fritz X Alderwoman Hale X Alderman West X Alderman Lovell X Alderman Quin X Mayhew Alderman Ryan X Mayhew The motion carried. Mayor McDowell explained that he would be issuing the executive order#2 since the current state of emergency will expire. The Mayor will re-declare the new order. Some of the items that will be included in the new order will be the extension of license until June 1, 2020, fishing on Canton Lake guidelines, no new boat stickers being issued and the closing of boat ramps to the public. Mayor McDowell thanked the City employees for their efforts and everyone is doing a great job during this pandemic. ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Aldermen Nelson/Hale to adjourn. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. Mayor Kent McDowell City Clerk Diana Pavley Rock