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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-2000 Clerical MINUTES CLERICAL COMMITTEE City Council Chambers April 11, 2000 - 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Dave Nidiffer, Larry Sarff, Bob Molleck, Kevin Meade. Others Present: Mayor Edwards, Jim Elson, Jim Hartford, Jim May, Clif O'Brien, Steve White, Gary Orwig, Chief Elam, Chief Stanko, Jim Snider, Linda Caudle, George Spahn, Clark Wilson, Pat Wri ht, John Froehlin ,Matthew Leaf Finance Committee Larry Sarff, Chairman Bills were discussed. Motion was made by Alderman Sarff, seconded by Alderman Meade to add to the list of bills under the General Fund, a bill from Mitchell Appraisal for the comfort station. Voice vote, motion carried. Motion was made by Alderman Meade, seconded by Alderman Nidiffer to send the bills to council for action. Voice vote, motion carried. Chief Elam asked if there were any objections to increasing his Capitol Expense budget by $7200 for executive training. He explained that the executive training in the past has been funded through scholarships but those are nearly exhausted. Alderman Sarff said the money would be well spent. This item was for information only at this time. Jim Snider distributed the 2000-2001 Budgets for all departments and presented an overall written summary of each budget. He asked the committee members to review the budgets and to pass them along in two weeks to the other committee members. Jim Snider would like council to be prepared to approve the budgets at the first council meeting in May. Spoon River College's representative was unable to attend the committee meeting to discuss their water bill. A written report was presented to the committee. Due to several major water leaks in the college's water line their total bill was $159,012.84. A normal bill would be from $600 to $1500 for two months. In accordance with past practice in regards to water line breaks the city will adjust off the sewer charges. The committee instructed Jim Snider to contact Dr. Keith Miller, President of Spoon River College, tomorrow and ask him to attend the next council meeting since the bill is now past due. A proposal from Ameritech was received and discussed by their representative. Their proposal demonstrates some savings compared to the City's present plan. Ameritech will do further research and talk with the city's phone vendor and come back with an updated proposal. Having no other business to discuss, the Finance Committee adjourned. Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel Committee Kevin Meade, Chairman Gary Orwig informed the committee that the city will no longer be able to use UPIC summer workers as federal funding is no longer available. These workers provided additional help at the wastewater plant with mowing, trimming and painting. Gary requested permission to hire two temporary part time workers for summer work. Motion was made by Alderman Sarff, seconded by Alderman Molleck to approve this request. Voice vote, motion carried. Steve White told the committee he is looking for someone to operate the camp ground and for lake patrol. Motion was made by Alderman Sarff, seconded by Alderman Molleck to ask Steve White to advertise in the Daily Ledger the position openings for camp ground custodian and lake patrol, as an equal opportunity employer. Voice vote, motion carried. Steve White discussed the retirement of Water Treatment plant employee, Marty Wilson at the end of June. Steve would like permission to post the job opening in order to have a new person begin May 1~` to receive training. After discussion the committee advised posting the job opening in all departments in accordance with the contract. Kevin Meade requested an executive session at the end of the meeting for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. There was no other business for discussion and the committee adjourned. Community & Industrial Development Committee Robert Molleck, Chairman Alderman Molleck reported that the Community Development Office received a request from SWS Mortgage Services, 5615 SW Adams, Bartonville, Illinois to subordinate a loan for Betty J. Hammond in the amount of $29,250 for the purpose of a new roof and refinance house for 36 months. The property is located at 625 South 2°d Avenue. The original interest free home repair loan was granted August 22, 1984 in the amount of $7,867,22 and the city holds a promissory note signed by Mrs. Hammond to repay the full amount at the time the property changes ownership. The City has approved subordination agreements for three other loans for Mrs. Hammond. Alderman Meade abstained from discussion because Mrs. Hammond is his aunt. After discussion, the committee asked Attorney Jim Elson to contact SWS Mortgage Services to see if they would buy out the City's loan. Mr. Elson was successful in this approach in a recent request for a subordination agreement on another home repair loan that the City held. Linda Caudle reported that she and George Spahn inspected an Antique oak roll top desk and chair that was offered for sale to the City. The unusual office type desk is in excellent condition with the original patina. It is being offered to the City for $1500. This desk is the same type of office desk as used in the Burlington Northern Depot. 2 '~- Alderman Meade said the committee should think about whether the city has a need for this desk. Alderman Nidiffer felt this was a fair price for this desk. Motion by Alderman Nidiffer, seconded by Alderman Sarff to purchase an antique Oak desk from a seller in Norris for $1500 with TIF funds, to enhance the historic character of the restored Burlington Northern Depot. Mr. Ralph Young, owner of property in the Industrial Park, voiced his concerns regarding the storage of mobile homes on the lot in the Industrial Park next to his lot. He said there is no restoration work being done. Debris from the mobile homes blows on other properties. Mr. Young feels it presents a hazard. Clark Wilson explained the action already taken by the City. At the request of the property owner a jury trial date has been set for May. Attorney Jim Elson said that the owner does not have proper state permits for operating a salvage yard and that the City will do all it can to remedy this situation. Besides the danger aspect, there is a nuisance factor involved in this situation. The committee told Mr. Young that he will be kept informed of the progress on this case. No further business was discussed and the committee adjourned. Legal & Ordinance Committee David Nidiffer, Chairman Mr. Dale Shaffer, Building Chairman of the Temple Baptist Church, 10 Van Dyke Drive, came before the committee to request vacation of the alley by the Church to enhance their building expansion plans slated for next spring. The alley would be used for a parking lot. The alley is overgrown and has not been used for several years. However, there is a utility easement in the alley. Attorney Jim Elson suggested having the utilities sign off on this plan. Another option would be for the Church to bear the expense of paving the alley for their use. The Committee had no problems with the Church paving the City Alley at no cost to the City. This would eliminate the need to vacate the alley. Motion was made by Alderman Sarff, seconded by Alderman Meade to have the Attorney prepare a resolution and legal description of the alley and to allow the Temple Baptist Church to pave the alley totally at their expense. Voice vote, motion carried. Chief Elam reported that he had a request from a person wanting to hire Canton's auxiliary police to provide security at a graduation party. He feels that we will have more requests than what we could handle. It has been a past practice not to get involved with this, however he wanted to bring it before the committee for their input. Alderman Sarff suggested that we do not get involved and to suggest the person hire a private company. Committee agreed. Chief Elam reported that Mike Walker, a new police officer will begin his duties April 23`d at the Canton Police Department. In the absence of the Police and Fire Commission Chairman, the proper paper work will not be available for a few days. Chief Elam is requesting a check be written as soon as possible for Mr. Walker's uniform expenses. Motion was made by Alderman Sarff, seconded by Alderman Nidiffer to approve this request. Voice vote, motion carried. 3 Chief Stanko spoke on the revised Ordinance replacing certain chapters of Section 5 relating to the Fire Department. He and attorney Jim Elson have spent several months revising the ordinance and feel the changes are in compliance with changes in the laws. Chief Stanko highlighted the major changes. Alderman Nidiffer complimented Chief Stanko and Jim Elson on the excellent job and recommended the ordinance be sent to Council. Motion was made by Alderman Sarff, seconded by Alderman Molleck to send the Ordinance pertaining to the Fire Department to Council as amended. Voice vote, motion carved. Alderman Nidiffer was approached by Officer Dale Berry regarding the wording in the Ordinance relating to tall grass and weeds. A case last year was thrown out of court due to the wording of the ordinance. He asked Attorney Jim Elson to bring back to committee a revision of the ordinance stating that grass or weeds can not be higher than 8". Jim Snider informed the committee that he has received the Preferred Hospital Agreement Amendment from Graham Hospital changing the City's discount in services from 12% to 18%. Motion was made by Alderman Molleck, seconded by Alderman Sarff to bring a resolution before council to approve the Preferred Hospital Agreement Amendment from Graham Hospital. Mayor Edwards reported that he does have in hand the appraisal from Mitchell Appraisal on the City owned property known as the Comfort Station. The committee would prefer advertising for bids and plans for the use of the building without setting a minimum bid. Motion by Alderman Sarff, seconded by Alderman Meade to approve going out for bids along with plans and a time frame of implementation for the sale of the comfort station with an Ordinance for the method of sale of property to be brought before the next council meeting. Voice vote, motion carved. Chief Elam discussed an ongoing problem that Gary Pasley has had with the alley beside his property behind Sirloin Stockade. Large trucks making deliveries at the restaurant drive onto his property & damage his yard. He put in a new driveway and is worried that it will be damaged. Chief Elam has visited this situation several times and doesn't see any way of enforcement. Alderman Sarff talked with Mr. Pasley and noted that Mr. Pasley has the right to put up a retainer to protect his driveway. Mr. Pasley also wants the City to talk to Sirloin Stockade management to prevent trucks from going on his property. The City placed a barricade at the other end of the alley to eliminate through traffic. Alderman Sarff suggested that Mr. Pasley retain legal assistance, at his expense to handle this problem. Alderman Molleck agreed that it is a civil matter and the City should not be involved. No action was needed. Motion was made by Alderman Meade, seconded by Alderman Sarff to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. Roll call vote as follows: Ayes -Aldermen Molleck, Hartford, Sarff, Phillips, Nidiffer, Meade and May. Motion unanimous. 4 ~rr+" The committee reconvened in open session at 8:35 p.m. for the purpose of adjournment. No further business was discussed and the committee adjourned. Executive session minutes are on file. Recorded by Linda Caudle