Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-2011 Committee meeting minutes CLERICAL COMMITTEE Tuesday September 13, 2011- 6:30 p.m. Donald E. Edwards Way 50 North 4th Avenue Canton IL 61520 Aldermen in attendance: Jeremy Pasley, Dave Pickel, Justin Nelson, Jim Hartford, Jeff Fritz, Eric Schenck, Craig West, and Gerald Ellis Staff in attendance: City Clerk Diana Tucker, City Attorney Chrissie Peterson, City Administrator Jim Snider, Mayor Kevin Meade, Comptroller Caty Campbell, Police Chief Dan Taylor, Fire Chief Keith Frank, Joe Ginger Video Services. SRPED Mark Rothert In the audience: Dan Oaks, Sergeant Edward Schott, Laura Powell, Dana Smith, Janice Emmons, Phil Fleming, Tim Seward and Amy xxx from Jack's, Steve Reed News Media- John Froehling from Daily Ledger. Finance Alderman Craig West, Chairman BILLS Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to send the bills to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. TREASURER'S REPORT Comptroller Caty Campbell reported that he general fund surplus at the end of August was $124,910.00 which is up from the July surplus. The water and sewer balance was $259,924.00 at the end of August, which was also up from the July surplus. The revenue and expenses analysis reflects the total available cash in the amount of $2,413,869.00 which is slightly higher than the last few months. The City received $342,543.00 in property taxes this month. The City received $93,750.00 for DCEO membership initiative grant for Chestnut Street extension. The TIF funds balance is $147,525.00. A total of $593.00 was received in property taxes for the TIF 4A. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Fritz to send the Treasurer's report to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. ROAD CLOSING FOR CANTON HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE (OCTOBER 7 20111 Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to send the request to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. DISCUSS. CONSIDER AND VOTE ON ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DEMOLITIONS. Attorney Peterson explained that a breakdown was distributed for the demolition project. The beginning balance was $30,000.00. The expenditures to date total $27,584.00 leaving a balance of $2,408.00. Recent demolitions include: 456 South Avenue B 408 Johnson Court 204 West Oak Street Three residential properties remain that the building inspector has determined that life safety issues were found in the properties and it was determined that these properties should be demolished. Additional funding is requested to complete the demolitions. Currently the city has approximately $170,000.00 remaining in the surplus funds. The total amount of the demolition projects will be approximately $20,500.00 Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pasley to send the request to Council for consideration. The addresses in consideration for demolition are: 585 Ray Street 466 South 3rd Street 345 Fulton The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. CHANGE ORDER/EXISTING OTTO BAUM CONTRACT ON FORMER IH SITE No action BLACK CROW CANDLE TIF REQUEST City Administrator Jim Snider explained that the proposal in the amount of $21,000.00 is a different type of TIF agreement. This is a grant for improvements made on the property. The dynamics to bring forth the request is that the purchase price is less than the assessed value. City Administrator Jim Snider explained that the owners have done a great job in bringing a new business to the community and rescued a building that was previously vacant. This request needs to be approached as a business interest. The agreement states that at least two employees will remain employed for at least two years. Fire Chief Frank explained that great improvements have been made to the property and most of the code issues have been addressed. Chief Frank is working with the owner to make sure all of the code issues are resolved. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to send the request to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. TIF REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT Attorney Peterson explained that this will rebate back a portion of the real estate tax increment generated by the Teflon facility to Cook over the life of the TIF. The cost would be the land acquisition cost, the professional fees and some interest on their financing. The current plan has a restriction that does not allow projects to have more than 25% of the increment spent outside of the old International Harvester site. This restriction will be removed from the new plan. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to send the request to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. ROUTE 9 CHESTNUT STREET TIF City Administrator Jim Snider explained that an ordinance for the route 9 Chestnut Street TIF will be on the agenda next week. A proposal with the school district for an annual payment of 3% during the remainder of the TIF district will be presented. A recommendation has been made to pass the ordinance on the first reading next week. The Finance Committee adjourned at 6:49p.m. Legal & Ordinance Alderman Jeff Fritz, Chairman CANTON LOGO AND COPYRIGHT PURCHASING AGREEMENT A proposed image release and an invoice were submitted for review by Snowman Studios. . Tracy Snowman addressed the committee. Tracy explained that the committee must select a design for the logo to accommodate a request to meet a deadline previously set by the Cook Group for October 1, 2011. Due to the upcoming deadline a design would need to be selected. Alderman Pasley asked if the City could contact the school district art department and offer a$2,000.00 SCHOLARSHIP for the design. Alderman Nelson said he received comments about having the design opportunity put out to other people rather than opening the design up to the first group that offers. Mayor Meade expressed concerns about making a vote that is based on the actual design and not have a vote that is basically out of popularity or one that the City does not like. Tracy explained that if the City wants a professional job done, the City needs to select professionals. The Snowman's have been doing artwork for over 27 years. Alderman Schenck explained that the logo of Canton needs to be one specific logo that represents the City of Canton. The City should not have multiple logos. Alderman Pasley further explained that the City needs to have involvement with the logo rather than just saying who is going to do it. Tracy Snowman explained that other signs have not been opened up for others to participate in, and questioned how this is different than other signs used in the City. Mayor Meade stated that the issue is to decide if the City wants to purchase the logo at $5000.00 and own the logo. Alderman Pickel asked what the City is doing with the current logo. Alderman Fritz stated that he would not be in favor of purchasing a logo that might not be used. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Pickel/West to send the request to Council for consideration. Mayor Meade asked which of the three logos would be the number one preference. Alderman Fritz further explained that the people in the community should be involved in the voting process even if the first deadline is not met. It was general consensus that the water tower would be the preference between the three logos presented by Snowman Studios. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. RESOLUTION AND AMENDENT TO HIGHWAY AUTHORITY AGREEMENT Attorney Peterson explained that in 2006 an agreement was approved with the old Marathon station. A new agreement must be made that would include some additional sampling data into the agreement. Motion and second were made by Alderman Fritz/West to forward to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. AVENUE F AND VINE STREET- SPEEDING VEHICLES Alderman Fritz explained that the police department along with Maurer and Stutz has performed research. Some signage has been placed at the location to limit the speed to 30 miles per hour. Chief Taylor explained that he and Keith Plavec looked at the area and they both would like to move the mail box off of Avenue F and put in onto Vine. The Chief would like to increase enforcement in the area. It was determined that if the mailbox was moved, the property address to the house would have to be changed. Alderman Fritz recommended increased enforcement in the area and re-visit the issue a few months from now. DISCUSS. CONSIDER AND VOTE TO AUTHORIZE DEMOLITION ACTION FOR 42 WEST CHESTNUT The property discussed is at 42 West Chestnut Street. The property appears to have some recent inhabitants and the City has been dealing with them. If the City proceeds with demolition of the property a resolution would need to be presented and appropriate action would need to be filed with the courts. The building is in danger and the structural engineer's opinion is that the building should be demolished. Chief Frank agrees that some advanced decay is obvious to the property. Money may be used from the TIF, but a vote would need to be taken to authorize the court action. Motion and second were made by Alderman Fritz/Pickel to send to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. The legal and ordinance committee adjourned at 7:29pm Community & Industrial Development Alderman Jeremy Pasley, Chairman UPDATE FROM MARK ROTHERT SRPED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mark Rothert distributed and discussed the following: GENERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POINTS • 61 EAST SIDE SQUARE: Currently researching feasibility and funding sources for a business incubator while also developing a marketing piece to send to Peoria area retailers and businesses. • MAIN STREET: Canton Main Street has formed with a new board of directors. They are the following: President - Heidi Leese Palm Cafe Vice President - Ann Fabish CEFCU Design Chair - Dr. Bob Ogle Spoon River College Organization Chair - Cheryl Bielema Retiree Promotion Chair - lane Lewis Bloom Box Economic Restructuring Chair - Tommy Bohler Recent College Graduate At Large - Emily Cleer Retiree At Large - Amanda Holland One East Boutique Past President - Dennis Crawford Crawford's Home Furnishings • RETAIL DEVELOPMENT o Expansions of local retailers in the downtown catering to women's apparel and beauty products. o Two different retail development companies contacted me for information about property on N. Main and 5th Ave. One is interested in building a free standing structure for a national retailer. I don't have the information as to who it is but will try to get that info once the company makes a site visit. • QUALITY OF LABOR SURVEY: I wil) be undertaking a Quality of Labor survey of Fulton County businesses. This survey is sponsored by Ameren and will entail me meeting with 30-40 businesses. This will go a long way to meet one of my goals this year to get out and meet with area businesses. This quality of labor survey will help us in Fulton County determine what kind of workforce we do have. With Cook's recent review of over a thousand applicants and other major employers in the area, I think we can get a good idea. It is often said that there is no shortage of labor, only a shortage of quality labor. We shall see. • TOURISM REPORT: Please see attached report from Dana Smith and handout flyer. • INDUSTRIAL PARK: Working with two businesses in the industrial park and facilitating their requests for TIF assistance for their respective expansion projects. • GRANT: the SRPED applied for a USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant to provide technical assistance training to small businesses throughout Fulton County. If successful, we will likely open this training up to other Illinois Main Street communities and fellow Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway businesses. JACK'S BEER GARDEN LICENSE The plans for the Beer Garden have been submitted to Maurer and Stutz. The plans will be further reviewed by Chief Frank and City Engineer Keith Plavec. The plans will have to meet code before the license can be granted. Motion and second were made by Alderman Pasley/West to send to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. HOTEL/MOTEL FUNDS FOR PINK INC FUNDRAISER The fundraiser is scheduled in October and a request is brought forward for the City to help with the port- a- potties for the event. An estimated 3000 people are expected to participate in the event. Alderman Ellis suggested paying $400.00 to help with some of the expenses involved in having the units in place for the event. Alderman Nelson explained that a 5K race is part of the event that will bring people from out of town since registration begins at 7:OOam. All funds raised stay in the county to support people that have become victims of breast cancer. The balance is $26,000.00 in the Hotel/Motel Tax fund. Motion and second were made by Alderman Pasley/Pickel to send to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous SIGNAGE FOR SPOON RIVER DRIVE Dana Smith explained that for the Scenic Drive on October 1-2 and 8-9 she would like to place signage in front of businesses located in the downtown area. These signs are made of wood, stand about 3.5' tall and the image would be 24x24" on both signs The signage would be placed in such a fashion as to comply with ADA requirements leaving adequate space on the sidewalk to avoid impeding access by a disabled person. The signs would be removed and stored between the two weekends of the drive. The signs will identify what is inside the store as people visit the community. The signs have already been made and paid for by the Chamber last year. Motion and second were made by Alderman West/Pickel to send to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous The Community & Industrial Development Committee adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Negotiations, Grievance & Personnel A/derman Dave Pickel, Chairman APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/PAY Mayor Meade explained that this would be discussed in executive session and the committee will come back into open session with the recommendation. The clerical committee reconvened into open session for the appointment of Bill Terry as interim Public Works Director with a salary of $81,567.00 retroactive to June 1, 2011. Motion and second were made by Alderman Pickel/West to send to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous Adiournment The Clerical Committee adjourned at 9:05 pm Diana Tucker City Clerk