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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-2011 Council Meeting Minutes A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on May 17, 2011 in the Council Chambers, The Donald E. Edwards Way-50 North 4th Avenue, Canton, Illinois 61520. Alderman in attendance: Alderman Craig West, lustin Nelson, Eric Schenck, Jim Hartford, Dave Pickel, and Gerald Ellis, Jeff Fritz Staff in attendance: City Treasurer Aaron Anderson, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, City Administrator Jim Snider, City Clerk Diana Tucker, Mayor Kevin Meade, Police Chief Dan Taylor, Interim Fire Chief Ernie Russell, City Engineer Keith Plavec, ESDA Director Phil Fleming. SRPED Director Mark Rothert Media in attendance: Daily Ledger- John Froehling, Peoria Journal Star Mike Smothers, Video Services by Joe Ginger Others in the audience: Bob Clogg, Dan Oaks, Attorney John McCarthy, Jay Smith, Brad Soland, Caty Campbell, Lee Puleo, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING FOLLOWED BY THE INVOCATION GIVEN BY GLEN NESTLERODE FROM THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN CANTON ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderman Schenck x Alderman Alderman Fritz x Alderman West x Alderman Nelson x Alderman Ellis x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Hartford x CONSENT AGENDA Minutes of Council meeting held May 3, 2011 Minutes of Clerical Committee meeting held May 10, 2011 Motion and second were made by Alderman Hartford/Nelson to accept the minutes as presented and be placed on file. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. BILLS Motion and second were made by Alderman Ellis/West to accept and pay the bills as presented. Roll Call AYES NAYS ABSENT Alderman Schenck x Alderman Alderman Fritz x Alderman West x Alderman Nelson x Alderman Ellis x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Hartford x The motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT City Treasurer Aaron Anderson reported: 2 The total available cash in the general fund at the end of fiscal year 2011 is 2.1 million dollars. Total investments at the end of the fiscal year are 8.2 million. The general fund surplus is $315, 592.00. The water and sewer surplus is $1,304,768.00 Motion and second were made by Alderman West/Ellis to accept the Treasurer's report as presented. The motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Finance- Alderman Craig West, Chairman Nothing for Council action Legal & Ordinance- Alderman leff Fritz, Chairman 1. Conflict of Interest Waiver- Housing Rehabilitation Grant Attorney Peterson reported that Royal White with WIRC informed the committee of Kevin Reed's application for the rehabilitation grant. Kevin Reed is a relative of former councilman Rick Reed. The conflict continues for 1 year under the HUD regulations. Attorney Peterson reviewed the Illinois statutes and did not find any problems existing under any of the statutes. Attorney Peterson explained that she must disclose that there was a conflict, the City will let WIRC know that it will be recorded in the minutes, and an opinion will be issued from Attorney Peterson that there is no violation of any state or local law. Attorney Peterson recommends a vote to waive any conflict of interest for Kevin Reed's housing rehabilitation grant application. 3 Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Fritz to waive the conflict of interest for Kevin Reed's application for the housing rehabilitation grant application. Roll Call AYES NAYS ABSENT Alderman Schenck x Alderman Alderman Fritz x Alderman West x Alderman Nelson x Alderman Ellis x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Hartford x The motion carried. 2. A-Z Risk Management Attorney Peterson discussed the approval previously made by Council to pursue legal action against A-Z Risk Management. The City made some repayment terms that A-Z Risk Management did not respond to. Attorney Peterson explained that checks were received today to pay for the delinquency ranging from October 2010-May 2011. The payment received will bring A-Z Risk Management current with their loan. The next payment would be due June 2011 and each month going forward. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Pickel to approve the monthly payments as scheduled. Roll Call AYES NAYS ABSENT Alderman Schenck x Alderman Alderman Fritz x Alderman West x Alderman Nelson x Alderman Ellis x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Hartford x The motion carried. 4 Community & Industrial Development- Alderman , Chairman 1. Tourism update from Mark Rothert Mark Rothert distributed the following update: Overview In December, 2010, the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development Board formed a committee to address tourism opportunities for Canton. Drawing on members of a previous group devoted to this goal, and adding new members to gain an eclectic perspective from a cross-section of Canton, a new committee was created, including: • Anna Buehrer, Spoon River College • Shelly Bryant, Graham Hospital • Dennis Crawford, Crawford's Home Furnishings • Amanda Holland, One East Boutique • Muriel Freeman, MidAmerica National Bank • Jon Johnson, Canton Park District • Rick Klinedinst, MidAmerica National Bank • Lelonie Luft, Peoria Area CVB • Scott Miller, Entrepreneur/SRPED • Jim Murphy, CFC Properties • Sherri Rader, MidAmerica National Bank • Toni Rockhold, Lee Rose • Mark Rothert, SRPED • Kelvin Sampson, Dickson Mounds Museum • Emily Schoenfelder, Peace Corps Fellow • leff Strode, MidAmerica National Bank • Greg White, Canton Assembly of God Church • Tourism Committee Meetings The full committee has met twice, on January 25, and February 18. Five potential tourism markets were identified: 5 • Nature Tourism • Event Tourism • Downtown Shopping • Athletics/Sports • Arts/Culture/Entertainment Short-term, mid-term and long-term goals were discussed, as well as the need for an overall "theme" or "hook" to bring visitors to Canton. It was noted and agreed that Canton's appeal as a tourist destination is most likely seasonal. Short-term goals were defined as those that could be implemented within 12 months; mid-term goals were defined as being completed within 1-3 years; long-term goals will need 3-10 years to complete. Short-term goals: • Expanding murals through an Our Town Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. (Status: The grant was not approved by the NEA.) • Developing collateral pieces on Canton, including printed brochures on attractions, dining, and shopping, as well as downloadable versions. (Status: In progress.J • Updating website to accommodate focus on tourism. (Starus: In progress.) • Attracting bus tour packages to bring visitors from out of the area for shopping, dining and overnight stays. (Status: In progress.J • Developing plaques for buildings and/or gazebo to offer historic "walking tours" opportunities in the downtown. (Status: In progress.) Mid-term goals: • Embrace the seasonal nature of Canton's potential as a tourist destination by creating a themed event tied to nature, such as a Bass Pro fishing tournament, or a seasonal celebration; • Create technology-friendly resources for Canton visitors, including a phone friendly website, audio and video files as companion features to tours, icons on historic building recognizable to smart phones, etc; • Develop cohesive and attractive way-finding signage to make visiting easy for tourists during their stay. Long-Term Goals: • Construct a Performing Arts and/or Civic Center located in the downtown area to provide an indoor venue for meetings, events, and entertainment; • Create a Visitors' Center and/or Canton Museum, which would provide information for visitors and feature International Harvester; • Restore the Garden Theater and make it a draw from around Fulton County for visitors who dine and shop before and after screenings, 6 • Develop a working farm or agri-tourism attraction, possibly tied to International Harvester. Tourism Sub-Committees The full committee has been divided into three sub-committees to address key short- term goals as outlined above. These committees have met on April 1, April 6, and April 11. In addition, individual meetings have been held on April 18 with Muriel Freeman on bus tour packages, and on April 21 with Sherri Rader on marketing materials. Tours & Packages: • Canton has exceptional potential to provide trips for bus tour companies, with venues such as Blessings, Crow Hollow, the Sweet Shoppe, Lee Rose, One East Boutique, etc; • The opening of Canton Harvester Inn will create the opportunity to offer "packages" to potential visitors tailored to a variety of interests; • Canton is a natural day-trip that can be marketed to convention visitors to Peoria through the Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Canton Literature: • A general brochure will be developed to feature Canton's attractions, special events, parks, etc., for distribution to retail businesses, hotels, gas stations, restaurants, the Peoria Area CVB, Illinois River Road Scenic By-Way communities, other Chambers and during special events such as the Scenic Drive; • Downloadable versions, sized for computers and handheld screens, of the general brochure, a dining guide, shopping guide, recreation guide, and historic background will be made available online. Website • A separate website devoted only to Canton tourism would increase prevalence of both sites on the Web, and would allow for a new format to be designed that is more conducive to attracting tourists. The current "Visitors/Tourism" link on cantonillinois.org would point to the new site. The City Council has approved funding, and the Partnership has contracted with GovOffice.com to help design the site. • The new website will feature downloadable guides, maps, exceptional photography, photo slideshows, attractions, links to other useful sites, as well as feature upcoming events and items of interest. Specific itineraries will also 7 be offered, based up a potential tourist's interests, i.e. nature, history, crafting, etc. Summary In the four months that the Tourism Committee has been active, both local leaders and regional tourism professionals have shared information and insights, and partnered to develop a strategy for making tourism a part of Canton's economic growth. The committee is actively addressing this strategy, and creating a road map for encouraging visitors to Canton and Fulton County. Building Canton's image as a tourist destination is a detailed, involved process that has numerous components. Creating a tourism infrastructure and promoting Canton to potential visitors will take time and dedicated effort, but the committee has already taken substantial strides in the rig Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel- Alderman Dave Pickel, Chairman Nothing for Council Action COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR: 1. Swearing in of new alderman Mayor Meade explained that the individual that he is planning on swearing in as the new alderman could not make tonight's meeting, so this will take place at the next Council meeting. 2. Appointments of ESDA Coordinator Mayor Meade explained that the appointment for the ESDA Coordinator will be postponed until the next Council meeting. The current ESDA Coordinator will remain until further notice. 3. Reminder to file for building/demolition permits Mayor Meade reminded everyone to file for building permits for tearing down buildings, adding garages, building fences etc. If anyone has any questions about 8 building/demolition permits they can contact Maurer and Stutz at 309-647-7831. 4. Mowing Season Requirements Mayor Meade reminded everyone of the current ordinance for mowing lawns and the fees associated with the City mowing lawns. The current ordinances state that grass cannot be taller than 8 inches. If they City mows the lawn the cost is $200.00 per person per hour. 5. Water Main Construction Elm Street will be closed on Thursday starting at 7:OOam until approximately S:OOpm to replace the waterline. 6. Gabby Days Gabby Days will be held on June 3-4 7. Celebration of Life Celebration of life for Bill Cook and the ground opening for the new plant was a great event. The bid opening took place for the new factory and the bids will be awarded within the next few days. Construction is anticipated to begin this month. NEW BUSINESS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20 (TRUANCY) OF TITLE 6(POLICE REGULATIONS) OF THE CANTON MUNICIPAL CODE (2nd READING) # 2033 Attorney Peterson explained that a few amendments to the ordinance are being presented for consideration. Attorney Peterson spoke with two different legal groups that represent various home schoolers. A language change in the ordinance will take place to make it clear that the police department will not patrol Wallace Park looking for children truant from school. The police department can issue a notice only upon receipt of a student's attendance record. The major change being made to the ordinance that was originally created in 1999 is instead of students having to miss 5 absences before the City can get involved the amended ordinance states that on the first unexcused absence the student can be ticketed. A sentence will be added in the ordinance stating the school will not transmit attendance records that pertain to the student's attendance on or after the date the student's parent gives the school notice that the parent is withdrawing the student from school. Another change will read: The police 9 department will issue a written notice to the truant or the truant's parent by hand delivery or by regular mail to the last address on record with the school only upon receipt of the students attendance record from the school. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Pickel/Ellis to accept pass the ordinance with the amendment. Roll Call AYES NAYS ABSENT Alderman Schenck x Alderman Alderman Fritz x Alderman West x Alderman Nelson x Alderman Ellis x Alderman Pickel x Alderman Hartford x The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT TO BRAD L SOLAND AT 1005 NORTH MAIN STREET, CANTON ILLINOIS 61520 (15T READING) AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT FOR JOHN AND RHONDA LEMON AT THE ADDRESS OF 764 NORTH AVENUE B CANTON ILLINOIS FOR A LIGHT HAULING AND LAWN CARE BUISINESS (1ST READING) NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM- LETTER OF SUPPORT Alderman Schenck explained that he distributed an email notifying everyone of the upcoming reauthorization of the transportation legislation that authorizes the byway. A group letter is being sent out across the country soliciting support for reauthorization of the byway program. Alderman Eric Schenck made a motion to authorize the mayor to lend our communities name in support of the byway program and be inclined to contact our delegation and thank them for the 40 million for the byway program in grants. 10 Alderman Schenck further expiained that the grant has a short turnaround time with proposals being due this Friday. The reason for the short turnaround was due to extensive debate in congress. Alderman Schenck thanked everyone who worked together with such a short amount of time. The emphasis this year was the bike and pedestrian trails. The grant would require extensive information that would make the grant unlikely. Alderman Schenck further recommended creating plans to upgrade existing sidewalks, or designation of bike trails in conjunction of streets. The City should continue with the planning process and identify a project with the street program. Further information will be brought back at next week's meeting. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Ellis/Pickel to approve the letter of support. Adjournment Motion and second were made by Aldermen Hartford/Pickel to adjourn into executive session for the purpose of police, fire negotiations and personnel. EXECUTIVE SESSION - TO DISCUSS POLICE AND FIRE NEGOTIATIONS AND PERSONNEL ' ss was conducted after the closing of the executive session Diana Tucker, City C/erk Kevin Meade, Mayor 11