HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-1997 Clerical
Clerical Committee
City Council Chambers
December 9, 1997 - 6:30 p.m.
Members Present: Larry Sarff, David Nidiffer, Kevin Meade, Chet Phillips, Jim Hartford
Others Present: Mayor Donald Edwards, Jim Elson, Steve White, Gary Orwig, Clif
O'Brien, Chief Elam, George Spahn, Jim Snider, Harlan Banister.
Finance Committee
Larry Sarff, Chairman:
Bills were discussed. Motion by Alderman Meade, second by Alderman Nidiffer to send
the bills to council for action. Voice vote, motion carried.
A resolution approving pre. engineering service by MFT/FAU 690 Phase I -widening
North fourth avenue was discussed. Motion by Alderman Meade, second by Alderman
Nidiffer to remove item for future consideration. Alderman Meade requested it be
reviewed again in six months. Perhaps government financial participation would be
clearer at the time. Motion Alderman Meade, second by Alderman Nidiffer, voice vote -
motion carried.
Jim Snider presented a budget for a Gateway 2000 model #GP6-233 Mhz Computer. Jim
said he reviewed various vendors, both component made and name brand. This business
application computer from Gateway was recently rated very high in It~Es class. It was
also recommended that we purchase the top of the line Hewlett Packard 890Cse ink jet
printer. Including a surge protector, cords and ink cartridges - a budget of $2861.00 in
forecasted. Motion by Alderman Meade, second by Alderman Nidiffer to approve this
budget. Voice vote, motion carried.
Jim Snider referred to the Committee a recommendation from Bob Anderson to purchase
a software program for utility mapping from Caliper Corporation. The software, entitled
Maptitude Geographic Information System (GIS) for Windows, can be used to continue
the mapping program, and prepare and up-date the zoning map. GIS could also help the
community development department assemble as information data base, and then link
everything into a GIS. This type of software has been needed for some time, but only
recently has the cost become affordable. Bob has reviewed similar software in the past
that has run in the $1300 -5300 range. Maptitude GIS sells for $395.00. Motion made by
Alderman Nidiffer, second by Alderman Meade to purchase the Maptiude GIS software
per Bob Anderson~Es recommendation. Voice vote, motion carried. No further business
was discussed and the committee adjourned.
Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel Committee
Kevin Meade -Chairman:
A request by Kama Duncan to extend the number of sick days applicable to IMRF was
discussed. Alderman Meade said that Attorney Bruce Beal had reviewed the request and
saw no major problem with agreeing to the language change in the personnel policy.
Motion made by Alderman Sarff, second by Alderman Meade to increase the number of
sick days applicable to IMFR to 240 days. Voice vote, motion carried.
Mayor Edwards recommended the Committee review the Early Retirement program
offered by 1MRF which was considered by the Committee a few months ago. The item
will be place on the agenda for January, 1998~Es meeting.
Mayor Edwards also gave a report of the Community Mapping meetings sponsored by
Spoon River College, that He and Linda Caudle have been attending the last couple of
months. Mayor Edwards encouraged the council members to attend future one hour
sessions which will be held in January, 1998.
Alderman Meade informed the committee the council would need to go into executive
session following the Clerical Committee meeting tonight. No other business was
discussed and the committee adjourned.
Community & Industrial Development Committee
Kevin Meade Acting Chairman
A request for an additional parking space for the Taxi Cab company on South Main was
presented to the Committee by Chief Elam. After further discussion it was decided to
deny the request. Motion by Alderman Sarff, seconded by Alderman Meade. Voice vote,
motion carried. No further business was discussed and the committee adjourned.
Legal & Ordinance Committee
David Nidiffer, Chairman
A Lot Exchange request from Dave Burketta was removed from the agenda for future
consideration. Motion by Alderman Meade, second by Alderman Sarff. Voice vote,
motion carried.
The water & sewer rate increase, referred from council, was discussed. Harlan Banister
reviewed the increases on water from $1.20 to $1.3 8 per 100 cubic feet and $1.00 to
$1.15 per 100 cubic feet on sewer with the committee. Alderman Sarff said he believed
most people who have followed the media reports and last week~Es televised city council
meeting understand the need for the increase. Our water is a commodity and must be sold
for more than it cost to produce. Alderman Nidiffer said he agreed with Alderman
SarfflEs comments.
Alderman Phillips commented as to the 20% of our water sales which goes to neighboring
communities as being pure profit. The fixed cost of the operating the plant such as labor
and infrastructure are not effected when these bulk sales occur. Alderman Hartford said
he has received negative feedback fr he increase would eeffect their livelihood. crease. He
said many are on a fixed-income and t
Harlan Banister said he had receive seven call on the matter with no one opposing the
necessary increase. He also invited the constituents to contact Jim Snider or himself to
discuss the matter further if they are confused as to the need to raise rates.
Alderman Meade noted that our proposed rate increases would still leave us with one of
the lowest rates around. An article in today~Es& sewer~ates for $29 000(ourr eview was
Bloomington approving a study of their wat
done internally by Jim Snider and Harlan Banister). Bloomington~Es current rate for
water is $2.70/100 cubic feet. Nearly twice the amount of this current proposed increase.
Alderman Meade felt that this was a modest increase. As for the reason to raise the rates
now after only 21 /2 years since the last increase; Alderman Meade said it only tells him we
raised it but not enough to gouge people. Alderman Meade also indicated that he hasn~Et
received one call of the rate increase.
He said he was open to alternative solutions to the current shortfall in the Water & Sewer
Fund, which has had to receive transfers from the CitylEs General Fund of $100,000 each
of the last two fiscal years. Alderman Meade also pointed out that if rates do not increase,
cuts must be made. Alderman are elected to be responsible and make tough decisions
when necessary. He is also concerned of the future capital improvement needs of the
water treatment plant. It is 50 - 60 years old and will need major work at some point in
future.
Alderman Hartford brought up the possibility of re-negotiating our outside water sale
contracts as a way to deal with the shortfall. Raising the price they pay could provide the
necessary income. Jim Elson said the first contract to expire would probably 10 years
away. The possibility trying to force a price increase would require and extensive and
costly legal battle.
Mayor Edwards reminded the committee that when St. David tied into our system, they
paid to have a line laid all the way to Chestnut Street. This pipe became part of our
infrastructure. The cost they incurred was in the $700,000 to $1,000,000 range. Fairview
and Norris also extended our system when they came on line to our water.
A motion to send the recommended increase on to council was made by Alderman Meade,
second by Larry Sarff. Voice vote, motion carried.
Sign Ordinance: This ordinance wJ1smr Elsona Themre were me oncerng aboumt t~hesfee
without an approval according to
structure and number of political signs. Mayor Edwards stated for the commrtteelEs
information that he is not pushing this ordinance or been behind the review of this by the
commission. Voice vote to table tell next monthlEs meeting.
Jim Elson informed the Committee that he is needing to hire an attorney to assist on the
Fulton County Rental Lawsuit. The due date to file the court documents for the City is
this Friday. Motion made by Alderman Sarff, second by Alderman Meade to hire Brad
Dunham with a Peoria Law firm to assist Jim Elson. Voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Alderman Nidiffer, second by Alderman Meade to go into executive session for
the purpose of discussing personnel. Roll Call vote to adjourn and proceed to Executive
Session for the purpose of discussing personnel. Roll call vote as follows: Ayes:
Aldermen Sarff, Meade, Nidiffer, Phillips and Hartford. Nays: None. Motion carried.
The committee reconvened in open session and no further business was discussed and the
committee adjourned.
Recorded by Jim Snider