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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01-08 Canton City Council Meeting Minutes The Canton City Council met Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council th Chambers, 50 North 4 Avenue, Canton, Illinois for their regular meeting. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed with prayer given by City Clerk Nancy Whites. Present – Mayor Kevin R. Meade, City Clerk Nancy Whites, Police Chief W.D. Taylor, Fire Chief Bonnie Cremer, Public Works Director Clif O’Brien, City Engineer/Zoning Officer Keith Plavec, Water Treatment Plant Supt. Greg Pollitt, Joe Ginger Video Services. In the audience – Don Lowe, Gerald Martin, William Whiteman, Vivian Whiteman and family members, Brenda Rothert, news media of Ledger – John Froehling, The Democrat – Wendy Martin, WBYS – Mark Bixler. Mayor Kevin R. Meade called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Aldermen answering roll call – Eric Schenck, Joe Berardi, Larry Sarff, Craig West, David Nidiffer, Pam Ihnes, Jason Strandberg, Sonya Lewis. Absent – None. Mayor Kevin R. Meade read the Proclamation he gave to the Canton Wresting Club. The Proclamation is as follows: WHEREAS, Canton, Illinois has both a Canton High School Wrestling Team and a Canton Wrestling Club, with most wrestlers competing on both teams; and WHEREAS, the CHS Wrestling Team earned back-to-back Mid-Illini conference titles in 2007 and 2008; and WHEREAS, the CHS Wrestling Team advanced to capture the regional title in 2007 for the first time in CHS wrestling history; and WHEREAS, the Canton Wrestling Club was the first qualifier for any round of a dual state tournament; and WHEREAS, the Canton Wrestling Club was invited to the AAU Scholastic Duels, also known as the Disney Duels, Wrestling Tournament in Orlando, Florida; and WHEREAS, they captured second place in these AAU Nationals; and 1 WHEREAS, team members of the Canton Wrestling Club were individual placers in the AAU Nationals in Orlando; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kevin R. Meade, Mayor of the City of Canton, Illinois, so hereby proclaim July 2, 2008, as “Canton Wrestling Club Day” in the city of Canton and encourage the community to join in the celebration and admiration of this fine team of young athletes. nd IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I Kevin R. Meade, hereby affix my signature this 2 day of July, 2008. Kevin R. Meade, Mayor Nancy Whites, City Clerk The Club members introduced themselves, and they are: Trey Simmons Jacob Ball Evan Smith JP Arrenholtz Andrew Zobac Zack Weiderman Alan Meyers Jessie Mulligan Chase Holloway Korey Woodkirk Steven Mitchell JJ Montgomery Mason Guerra Kyle Chapai Vinnie Franzoni Rob Johnson (Congratulations to each of the outstanding young men for your awesome accomplishment. You each made the city very proud. Nancy Whites, City Clerk.) 2 Consent Agenda Minutes of Council meeting June 17, 2008 Minutes of Mechanical Committee June 24, 2008 Alderman Sarff made the motion to accept the Council meeting minutes of June 17, 2008 and for the Mechanical Committee meeting minutes of June 24, 2008 to be recopied as the last page was missing. Was duly seconded by Alderman Nidiffer. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Committee Reports: Public Safety & Traffic – Alderman Joe Berardi Council Action Motorola Pagers. Alderman Berardi made the motion to replace six Motorola, Minitor 5 VHF pagers for ESDA, initial cost will be $1,918.00 using rebate of $75.00. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Ihnes, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Berardi, Schenck. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. Avenue C pay request Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Improvements. Alderman Sarff made the motion to approve the #5 pay request from Laverdiere Construction in the amount of $94,734.17. Was duly seconded by Alderman Berardi. Discussion. City Engineer/Zoning Officer Keith Plavec mentioned that this is for the Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Improvements. Keith said this is to be paid from the bonding funds. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck Berardi, Sarff, West, Nidiffer, Ihnes, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. WTP Improvement pay request for the ClearWell project. Alderman Berardi made the motion to approve the #5 pay request from Leander Construction in the amount of $91,991.92. Was duly seconded by Alderman West. Discussion. City Engineer/Zoning Officer Keith Plavec mentioned this is bonding funds also. Will see credit as the contractor does not have to go to Abington for rock, taking the rock from the IH site. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen 3 Lewis, Strandberg, Ihnes, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Berardi, Schenck. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. Streets & Garbage – Alderman Craig West Council Action 2008 MFT results from Advance Asphalt. Alderman West made the motion to approve the low bid from Advance Asphalt Company of Princeton, Il in the amount of $211,769.88. Was duly seconded by Alderman Sarff. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck, Berardi, Sarff, West, Nidiffer, Ihnes, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried. Lake, Buildings, & Ground – Alderman Sonya Lewis Council Action Lot 13 Industrial Park. Alderman Lewis made the motion to send to Legal & Ordinance Committee meeting next week for discussion. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Public Works, Water & Sewer – Alderman Eric Schenck Council Action Beer Garden License for VFW. Alderman Schenck made the motion to approve of the Supplemental Beer Garden License for one year. Was duly seconded by Alderman Berardi. Discussion. Alderman Berardi ask Keith Plavec about citizens providing property lines. Keith said that would be great. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Referred to Legal & Ordinance Committee discussion of drafting an ordinance for property owners providing property lines. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR KEVIN R. MEADE- 4 Avenue C and West Pine, residents requesting stop sign. Alderman Strandberg mentioned let’s try and help them out. Mayor Kevin R. Meade said he always relied upon the police department, and took their advise. Police Chief W.D. Taylor said he was not sure a stop sign will help. A stop sign could slow speed down. Alderman Nidiffer said he would go with the residents request. Alderman Sarff made the motion to refer to Legal & Ordinance Committee next week. Was duly seconded by Alderman Berardi. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimous. Mayor Kevin R. Meade said he was hoping to appoint a treasurer. Does not want to adjourn the meeting as we could need to continue the meeting to give the Oath and approve the appointment. Next week at the Clerical Committee meeting want to discuss hiring also a Finance officer, or what you want to call the position. Kathy Luker left, and she was the Budget Director, this new person would be in charge of finances. Alderman Ihnes ask about getting copies of the job description. Mayor said they would be made available. Mayor Kevin R. Meade said that the whistle needs extreme amount of pressure, and have looked at using the sirens in the community. Will be able to hear the whistle in town at a cost of $1,960.00 from Ragan Communications. A citizen provided $1,000 and Kevin wants to see if private funds will come in to help pay for the cost. Discuss next week at the Community & Industrial Development Committee. Senator Obama will have a staff member at Canton City Hall on July 8, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Mayor Kevin R. Meade announced that Diana Tucker the Wellness coordinator for the City of Canton reports that the month of July is “Glaucoma Awareness month.” OLD BUSINESS: 5 ORDINANCE – RE-ZONING CERTAIN PROPERTY OF WILLIAM & VIVIAN WHITEMAN FROM R-2 TO B-2 ZONING CONFIGURATION. Second reading, read by title. Alderman Nidiffer made the motion to place the ordinance on its passage. Was duly seconded by Alderman Sarff. Discussion. Vivian Whiteman was allowed to speak by Mayor Kevin R. Meade. Vivian Whiteman – mentioned she is the co-owner of the business. I do not fully understand, as we purchased the property and had car detailing done by our son. We all know how hard it is to make ends meet. Business was doing well, Planning & Zoning Commission approved the other property by us. Decided to check this out, enquired at city hall. Told our property was not zoned for us. Was zoned non-conforming use. This was our misconception. We followed the proper channels, went to Planning & Zoning meeting. Was told not to worry. Two of the Aldermen sitting on the Planning & Zoning Commission voted for it. A sign was placed on our property. Don Lowe then approached us to sell a portion of our lot. Where are the jobs for our young people. I’m asking you to vote your consciences, not what others want you to vote. I want an answer, but not after you vote. Alderman Sarff said this speaks to several issues. I don’t know why the zoning board voted for it. Alderman Sarff asked Keith Plavec if the business is such for the restrictions of B-2 zoning? Keith said, yes. Alderman Sarff ask, parking? Keith Plavec answered, no. Can they request a variance? Keith answered, still believe can. The parking is the bigger issue. Alderman Schenck mentioned the heart of the matter is over simplified that anyone could do anything, is not the case. We still have to abide by the ordinance. The issue is problematic. The U-Haul business is simply too small for the lot to meet B-2 zoning requirements. Alderman Strandberg said it bothers him, as these are good people who come here, brought property, runs a good up standing business. The city does not want to shut these people down. The business is completed surrounded by residents. The residents want the city to protect our neighborhood. We have some neighbors concerned, and some are not. We have to protect the integrity of our town. My opinion, we don’t zone the property, let’s work out a compromise and keep them in business. Let’s look for a Special Use Permit and keep two U-Hauls down at the business. Put the extra U-Hauls in the city’s Enterprise Park. At the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting they have to look for 7 finding of facts. I voted no on three of those facts. In the end all seven of those facts passed, and then I voted yes. 6 Alderman Nidiffer said he feels compelled to say, these are people of goodwill. There are two things butting up against one another. 1. Businesses have been there forever. 2. In addition to all of that, what bothers me we look at each one separately. I would support some form of compromise. I’m incline to not vote for the ordinance, and understand your frustration. Bill Whiteman said, was told by Keith Plavec could get a variance. The business of Subway does not have 25 feet. Alderman Strandberg stated he understands the city’s Comprehensive Plan. You don’t seem interested in keeping your business. Alderman Lewis suggest working on a compromise. William Whiteman commented that he was here for a B-2 Zoning. Alderman Schenck mentioned that the ordinance provides good guidance. And we need to comply with the ordinances. What has been presented is just petitions. What kind of plan do you have to accommodate your request? Vivian Whiteman said she did not understand what the request is. Alderman West commented, you are a victim of circumstances. My concern is for the future of what happens when you leave. Mayor Kevin R. Meade commented that six votes are needed to pass the ordinance, which is 2/3rds. Alderman Ihnes ask to be excused from voting as she has conflict of interest. Alderman Strandberg made the motion to excuse Alderman Pam Ihnes from voting on the ordinance. Was duly seconded by Alderman West. The motion carried by voice vote, and was unanimously. Roll call. AYES – None. NAYS – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Nidiffer, West, Sarff, Berardi, Schenck. Mayor Kevin R. Meade also voted NAY. 0 AYES, 7 NAYS, 1 ABSTAINED. Motion defeated. ORDINANCE – AMENDING TITLE 4, BY THE ADDITION OF CHAPTER 5, ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES ON THE RIGHTS-OF-WAY. Second reading, read by title. Alderman West made the motion the ordinance be placed on its passage. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Schenck, Berardi, Sarff, West, Nidiffer, Ihnes, Strandberg, Lewis. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Ordinance being #1936. 7 ORDINANCE – AMENDING CHAPTER 14 (OFF STREET PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS) OF TITLE 10 (ZONING) OF THE CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE. Second reading, read by title. Alderman Schenck made the motion the ordinance be placed on its passage. Was duly seconded by Alderman Strandberg. Roll call. AYES – Aldermen Lewis, Strandberg, Ihnes, Nidifffer, West, Sarff, Berardi, Schenck. NAYS – None. 8 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Ordinance being 1937. NEW BUSINESS: ORDINANCE – ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR POSITIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF CANTON FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY, 2008. First reading, read by title. Mayor Kevin R. Meade said this was left off the ordinance they was done for the non-union employees. To be discussed further at next week’s Legal & Ordinance committee. The regular scheduled Council meeting did not adjourn. Mayor Kevin Meade mentioned there might be such a need to approve a treasurer by the end of this week. All business that could be dealt with at the Council meeting, ended at 7:54 p.m. _____________________________, Nancy Whites, City Clerk APPROVED: ___________________________, Kevin R. Meade, Mayor 8 9