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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-08 Clerical Committee Meeting MinutesCLERICAL COMMITTEE Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 6:30 p.m. In Attendance -Aldermen Eric Schenck, Joe Berardi, Larry Sarff, Craig West, David Nidiffer, Kevin Meade, Jason Strandberg, Sonya Lewis. Absent -None. Others in attendance -Mayor Rodney W. Heinze, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City Treasurer Kathy Luker, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, Police Chief Jeffrey Fritz, Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer, Public Works Director Cliff O'Brien, Wastewater Treatment Supt. Joe Carruthers, Water Treatment Supt. Greg Pollitt, Street Supt. George Spahn, System Maintenance Bill Terry, Zoning Officer Keith Plavec, SRPED Executive Director Mark Rothert, Joe Ginger Video Services. In the audience was the streetscape committee, Jason Myetich, Brenda Rothert, News media of Daily Ledger - John Froehling, WBYS -Mark Bixler, The Democrat -Denise Bankes. Alderman Meade gave permission for the Community & Industrial Development committee to be first as there are a lot of members here from the Street Scape committee. Community & Industrial Development Alderman David Nidiffer, Chairman Update from Mark Rothert, SRPED Executive Director. Mark Rothert gave the following report. We're starting Streetscape plan in process with Teska & Associates. They will be in town the last Tuesday of this month, to do a walk about with the local people. People here tonight are the owners of businesses, and they are the steering committee for this streetscape plan. Teska & Associates will do the assessment of what the needs are and what is currently here. Teska & Associates will talk to this steering committee that night to listen to their ideas of what they think the needs are in this area. That streetscape plan will allow us to apply for the IDOT Transportation Enhancement Program. Will work with Teska & Associates and also Keith Plavec, as we will need engineering cost for that Streetscape Enhancement on the application. Worked with two site selections, moving on one for Hotel and the other one was a retail chain in Canton. Gave them a tour of Canton and several sites they might be interested in. 1 CLERCIAL COMMITTEE MARCH 11, 2008 On the Main & Locust meeting we held a public meeting to seek interest. The next step is to get a release from JC Penney which attorney Chrissie Peterson working on for the parking lot. The next step is to send out for information to interested developers. Have talked owners on that street that might be interested in selling to make a total development type of deal. Attended Rural Economic Development Conference hosted by Illinois Institution of Rural Affairs out of Western Illinois University. A lot a people came and talked about Rural Entrepreneurship. Met with Illinois River Road By-Way staff. We talked about the future plans. Canton is a gate way community to the Illinois River Road National By-Way. The Canton By-Way committee, would like to put in a Kiosk someplace to highlight the communities status. Thought of placing in Jones Park but it is very crowded right now. We have limited space, but thought the grassy area on the north side of the city building would fit. Attended the Illinois Main Street Day at the capitol. Great way to showcase Canton at the associated level. Opportunity to rally with Lt. Governor as well as other state and local officials. Working on some downtown development, should be coming soon. The Partnership Annual Dinner is April 5, all will be invited and hear Bill Cook. His topic is "Reviving Canton." Bill is formerly of Canton. Hotel/Motel Tax Request. Mark Rothert mentioned the process of the use of HoteUMotel Tax. The Partnership reviews the request and submits to council for the use of the funds. The Partnership agrees this request fits the need. The request at this time is for a Canton Profile Magazine. Trying to replica what was in 2001. Our goal is to produce 10,000 copies, and the cost is $14,000. We are requesting $5,000 as not all of the magazine is tourism related. Size would be 81/2 by 11, and would have 16 pages, less advertising, and apply more content. Three pages in the back of the 2 CLERICAL COMMITTEE MARCH 11, 2008 magazine maybe the ads would be, with high glossy pages, and high quality. Illinois Tourism will be ask to put in all rest stops to get our name out there. Chamber of Commerce Director Missy Towery was introduced as well as Jessica Buffington of being in charge of planning events. Missy said they will be building up the annual Cruise-In to make it bigger. Alderman Schenck said we need a calendar of events to get out to the right audiences and to get people into Canton. And I don't know if that is what we have? And we need to get that calendar of events out there now. Mark Rothert said, we tried to do that, and that is what we would do. We will put on Canton Illinois.org, and we do have a billboard. Alderman Schenck said it is time for the Partnership to put the staff in to make sure these events are successful and give reports of the results. Jessica Buffington reported, the mailing addresses we are compiling to reach 5,000 people through all over central Illinois, and will be combining into one file. Alderman Nidiffer said, this is one of the kind of things this money is for. City Treasurer Kathy Luker said the amount of the HoteUMotel Tax is $103,040.67. Alderman Meade made a motion to accept the request from the Partnership to use the HoteUMotel Tax funds for a Canton Profile Magazine in the amount of $5,000, and refer to council. It was duly seconded by Alderman West. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Alderman Schenck said that Mark Rothert had talked about going out for proposals for Locust & Main lot. Alderman Schenck said he talked to a guy in Galesburg who did Seminary Street. He said he did the whole thing, it was not pieced meal. He had a plan on how to develop it. Will get a hodgepodge of requests on the Main & Locust lot. Alderman Nidiffer said we have spent a lot of time addressing what the area should look like and the aesthetics. It's important of what that downtown should look like. We need people in here to make jobs available. Alderman Strandberg said he does not want to use eminent domain. It is terrible, lets work with people. The Community & Industrial Development Committee adjourned at 7:18 p.m. 3 CLERICAL COMMITTEE MARCH 11, 2008 Finance Committee Alderman Kevin Meade, Chairman Bills. Alderman Sarff made the motion to send the bills to council for approval It was duly seconded by Alderman West. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Treasurer's Report. Alderman Sarff made the motion to send the Treasurer's Report to council. It was duly seconded by Alderman Nidiffer. Discussion. City Treasurer Kathy Luker mentioned revenues y-t-d are more than expenditures for 10 months of the fiscal year. Health Care Fund is a negative $143,479.57, and Kathy mentioned would be taken care of this month when a C/D comes due. Voice vote, motion carried unanimously. Budget Report. Alderman Sarff made the motion to send the Budget Report to council It was duly seconded by Alderman West. Discussion. City Treasurer Kathy Luker explained the Budget is for 10 months into the Fiscal Year of 83.8 spent in the General Fund. Kathy talked about each of the Breakdowns of the Revenues from the General Fund. The following is how the City receives funding - Sales Tax $ 2,059,127.45 Income Tax $ 1,146,378.95 Property Tax, Replacement Tax, Road & Bridge $ 865,176.99 Utility Tax (AmerenCips & SREC) $ 546,904.96 Garbage Service Fees $ 372,359.48 Telecommunications Tax $ 291,881.38 Use Tax $ 166,490.77 Insight (COMCAST) and AT&T Franchise $ 110,150.75 Interest Income $ 98,328.88 Miscellaneous Income $ 66,247.26 Fines -Police Department $ 54,405.65 Licenses, Permits, Retirees Insurance $ 50,808.73 4 CLERICAL COMMITTEE MARCH 11, 2008 Grants-Federal, State, Misc. $ 50,166.14 Total Revenues Y-T-D $5,878,427.39 The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Waste Management Agreement Public Works Director Cliff O'Brien told the committee members this is a 3 year agreement beginning in August 08 for $37.00 to increase to $38.50 the next year in 09 and $40.00 the next year to 20010. Our current price is $30.00 and expires July 31, 2008. According to Dave Schaab with Waste Management, gate price for residential dumping is currently $41.00 and will increase by no less than $2.00 per year. Discussion. Alderman Sarff asked Kathy Luker to look at this for a projection in the next three years. Kathy said she would meet with Cliff O'Brien to have this projection for you. Will be added to the Public Works agenda March 27. Payment Number 1 from Laverdiere Construction, for Avenue C Storm Sewer $6,867.00. Alderman Sarff made the motion to accept the Payment #1 from Lavierdiere Construction for Avenue C Storm Sewer in the amount of $6,867.00, and refer to council. It was duly seconded by Alderman Nidiffer. Discussion. Keith Plavec from Maurer Stutz Inc. recommended the approval. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Resolution -FAU Funds Improvement on East Ash for Phase 11 and 111 in the amount of $525,000.00. Alderman Sarff made the motion to accept the resolution for the use of MFT funding for Improvements on East Ash Street for Phase two and three in the amount of $525,000, and refer to council It was duly seconded by Alderman West. Discussion. Keith Plavec from Maurer Stutz Inc. recommended the payment and said this work is under the MFT funds as we are saving using those FAU funds until Phase 4 and 5. The railroad tracks are still on hold. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. 5 CLERICAL COMMITTEE MARCH 11, 2008 Request for expenditure of those funds $525,000. Alderman Sarff made the motion to accept the expenditure of the funds in the amount of $525,000 for Ash Street from Main Street to Fifth Avenue and using MFT funds, refer to council. It was duly seconded by Alderman Nidiffer. Discussion. Keith Plavec from Maurer Stutz inc. recommended the use of those funds. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Computer Network. Alderman Meade mentioned, this is to update all the cities current computers as they are not affective working together within the departments. Will let the professionals come in and look over our system and they made the recommendations. (This is for updating the software and hardware, network diagram, labor & training, and passwords all for the system.) Alderman West made the motion send to council. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. The Finance Committee adjourned at 7:27 p.m. Legal and Ordinance Alderman Craig West, Chairman Resolution -between the City of Canton and the Village of St. David for Mutual Aid Sharing of Equipment. Jason Myetich, Village President said his board approved of the City of Canton using the City Street Sweeper to clean their streets in St. David for one day. Jason said he talked with the city attorney Chrissie Peterson. Alderman Sarff asked if this would create overtime? Public Works Director Cliff O'Brien said would do only one time a year just to clean up their cinders. Alderman Berardi said what is the next request? It should not cost anymore if they would use outside contractor. Alderman Sarff said he hated not being a good neighbor, but kind of agreed with Alderman Berardi. We are not set up fora rental business. Mayor Heinze said if there was a disaster they would be here in a minute. (No referral made to send on to council.) 6 CLERICAL COMMITTEE MARCH 11, 2008 The Legal & Ordinance Committee adjourned at 7:43 p.m. Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel Alderman Larry Sarff, Chairman 2008/2009 Health Insurance Rates. Alderman Nidiffer made the motion to accept the hiring of Rick Semonis at a cost of $1,500 to negotiate the premium for 2008/2009 with Health Alliance, and refer to council It was duly seconded by Alderman West. Discussion. Dan Oaks who chairs the health insurance committee had mentioned in a memo that Health Alliance is thinking about rate changes for the 2008/2009 fiscal year. City Treasurer Kathy Luker said the city paid out over $1.4 million last year for Health Insurance. The Insurance Committee is recommended this now so Rick Semonis can negotiate before May 1. Alderman Sarff said the city does not have an agent so that saves the city 15%, and Rick does a good job for the city. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Alderman Sarff mentioned that an executive session is needed next Tuesday for negotiations with Public Works and Fire. The meeting went into a 5 minute recess at 7:48 p.m. BUDGETS FOR 2008/2009 DISCUSSION OF DEFICIT. The Committee decided to discuss the Budgets before having an executive session. (Minutes were not taken.) EXECUTIVE SESSION - NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL TO DISCUSS -PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT. The executive session was not held due to the lateness of the hour. The Clerical Committee adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Nancy Whites, City Clerk 7