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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-2013 Clerical Committee meeting minutes CITY OF CANTON CLERICAL COMMITTEE Tuesday Apri) 10, 2013 6:30 p.m. Donald E. Edwards Way 50 North 4th Avenue Canton IL 61520 Aldermen in attendance: Dave Pickel, Justin Nelson, Jeff Fritz, Gerald Ellis, Craig West, Jeremy Pasley, Eric Schenck, Jim Hartford Aldermen absent: Staff in attendance: City Administrator Jim Snider, City Treasurer Nicole Marter, Comptroller Caty Campbell, Fire Chief Keith Frank, Police Chief Dan Taylor, Public Works Director Bill Terry, WTP Supervisor Greg Pollitt, WWTP Supervisor Joe Carruthers, City Engineer Keith Plavec, Executive Director Spoon River Partnership Missy Towery Joe Ginger Video Services. In the audience: News Media- Daily Ledger FINANCE ALDERMAN CRAIG WEST, CHAIRMAN BILLS Alderman Nelson asked why the healthcare costs for the past three months are all reflected on this month's bill list. Comptroller Caty Campbell explained that the Springbrook consultant was at the City and it was a timing issue in paying the premiums. The City did not have any late fees associated with the payments. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Fritz to send to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. TREASURER'S REPORT The total cash for the month was 1.5 million dollars. The total investments are 4.4 million dollars. The general fund had a month to date loss of $525,736.00. The YTD loss was 378,984.00. The water/sewer fund had a$48,615.00 gain. The YTD gain is $1,290.757.00. The retro pay affected the general fund on this month's report. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to send to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. FLOORING QUOTES- WASTEWATER PLANT A new floor in the main level of the wastewater treatment plant is being considered. This new flooring would go to the bathrooms, the locker rooms and the lab. A small piece of carpet would be installed in a small office. The funds are available in the building account. The existing floor was put in 1986. The floor can't be cleaned and needs replaced. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Pickel/Pasley to approve the low bid from Crawford's Home Furnishing in the amount of $4,290.22 The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. BUDGET REVIEW The general fund projected budget is currently in the "black". The water and sewer fund has a surplus of over 1 million dollars. The bond council has made a recommendation to spend down the reserves in the FY14 budget. City Engineer Keith Plavec discussed the projects. The ordinance will be presented next week for consideration. THEATER PROJECT Economic Development Director Missy Towery explained that the business plan for the movie theater has been presented. The Council could direct the City Attorney to prepare an agreement for the project to be considered at open session next week. Alderman Pasley explained that he has some concerns and investing TIF money is very dangerous. Missy Towery explained that the group would make sure that the public parking would be marketed. The theater group would negotiate for the price of the building. Alderman Pasley said he would not pay the presented amount for the building. A private group would purchase the building--- however Alderman Pasley indicated that it would still be a bad investment for a private citizen or a group. The group is operating under the partnership and Missy is representing both. Further discussion took place regarding the investment of the theater and the use of TIF funds by Alderman Schenck. The students at the high school are still asking about the project and hoping the council will support the proposal. Alderman Ellis also explained that he would support the project to keep the youth in the community. Safety is a large consideration for high school kids that drive to Peoria to go to a theater. Alderman Pasley again explained that it is not a safety issue, but rather a financial obligation to the City. George Hall addressed the committee about purchasing the building for a theater. George explained that he read the report from Mr. Phillips. The problem George has is the fact that the lack of transparency in the business plan. George further explained that he has asked Missy Towery and the City for the business plan and the only response was "Scott Miller is doing it". George said he was surprised to see that the City loaned them $500,000.00 and he didn't see this go before the Council. George said the City does not have a TIF review board, but they should have one. George asked who authorized the $500,000.00 loan to the not for profit organization. The not for profit organization is for the Spoon River Community Cinema. It was established May 8, 2012. The agents name is John McCarthy but there is no president or secretary name and address. This is public information that is on the secretary of state website. George would like to review the business plan. George asked if the officers have been elected. The survey conducted for the theater had a number of problems and would not stand up as being a responsible survey. The TIF funds are taxpayer's money and should be carefully examined. 11,000 theaters are closing around the country. George Hall explained that the City should due research before approving the project. Alderman Fritz suggested that this be tabled until the next council is seated. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Fritz/Pasley to table until the next finance meeting with the new council. The motion carried with voice vote all in favor except Alderman Pickel. PROPOSAL FOR PICNIC PAVILLION AT CANTON LAKE CAMPGROUND This will be moved to the Mechanical Committee meeting agenda under lake, buildings, and grounds in a couple of weeks. MAURER-STUTZ GENERAL ENGINEERING AGREEMENT The current agreement expires April 30. The new agreement would start May 1, 2013. And continue until April 30, 2014. The duties are listed under the agreement. Motion and second were made by Aldermen West/Pickel to send to Council for consideration. The motion carried with voice vote and was unanimous. LEGAL & ORDINANCE ALDERMAN JEFF FRITZ, CHA/RMAN CANTON AREA CITIZENS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES REQUEST Carla Murrey addressed the committee regarding her experience as a volunteer with the Canton Lake for the past four years. Part of what Carla has been doing has been collecting samples at the site and submitting them to the EPA. Two weeks ago a request was submitted for immediate action from the City Council. Tonight Carla is asking the legal and ordinance committee to act on the requests. The first request is a formal resolution to the department of natural resources withdrawing City support for permit # 385 North Canton Mine. Some of the reasons are as follows: Canton Lake is a significant and vital water resource for over 20,000 citizens in Canton and the surrounding communities. It is not acceptable to mine within the watershed and putting Canton Lake in jeopardy of being polluted by mine run off. The County has recently done a re- assessment of property taxes within the area. Canton unemployment has dropped due to the Cook Industries. Canton has new residence, new homes and new businesses since the permit was written in 2005, received by IDNR July 11, 2006. A public hearing was held in October 2006 and permitted in July 2008. NPDES public hearing was held December 6, 2011 and the water permits have not been issued by Illinois EPA. An administrator review hearing was denied in part and affirmed in part in February 2013. It is now waiting judicial review in Fulton County Circuit Court, filed February 26, 2013. Capital Resource Development Company has now filed for a renewal permit #1 for the permit # 385 despite the lack of a valid permit and has not ever dug soil or coal within the last seven years. The City and the Spoon River Development for Economic Growth is active. The highway 336 has been completed from Quincy to Macomb, and the section from Macomb to Peoria will be completed. The area of North Canton will be important for tourists and travelers. US Route 24 is important to the tourist industry, but more important is working in the joining counties who want to live and work in a town with outstanding schools, childcare, community college, excellent medical services, and outstanding parks. Adding another 1000 acres of mine scared land to the existing thousands of acres of Fulton County mine scared land is not acceptable. The second request is to draft an ordinance protecting the Canton lake watershed from mining, heavy construction, or other similar activity that would threaten its viability as a functioning watershed of providing clean drinking water. In support of the request, they offer the following reasons to act immediately to protect the watershed. North Canton Mine is proposed by the same company that committed over 600 pollution violations at the Industry Illinois Mine over a period of eight years. These violations are the subject of ongoing litigation that is now in its third year. To date the mine has not come into compliance with its water discharge permit. The state agencies charged with overseeing the mine did nothing to act until environmental groups brought a citizen suit bringing the case to the attention of the Illinois Attorney General's office. Contrary to information being circulated, Canton Lake is still the primary water source for residence. Pumping and treating aquafur water is an expensive alternative when necessary. We must however reassure that Canton area residence can continue to rely on the lake for clean drinking water. The IDNR needs to hear from the City of Canton about concerns its residence have on the mines impact on health and quality of life that are important to the residence of our community. The City Council needs to help safeguard the quality of life in Canton. It is respectfully requested that the lake committee and the legal committee move to put the request for action on the agenda for the next regular City Council meeting. Joyce Blumenshine has been a volunteer for several years and is also concerned for the environment. Joyce explained that she is following up on an issue that is important to each and everyone and the future of the community. Water is the source of life that is depended upon. From what Joyce has heard, many people are anxious to when the City can switch back to the lake water to have better taste and quality in the water. Joyce explained the area around Canton Lake is the future for the community. On behalf of trying to protect the future Joyce discussed the City of Canton's water reports that talk specifically about the importance of the water. The sources of drinking water include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds etc. It goes on to talk about how the water collects. It says that drinking water for Canton is in the source water of the lake. The water from the lake is from the watershed. Joyce explained that she feels it is important to review the ordinance. It is requested to add a paragraph to the code. It is suggested that the paragraph might include terms about Canton Lake and the importance of west branch Copperas Creek, the streams and areas within the Canton lake watershed which is specified in the federal and state source water protection area. This would be to assist water protection of the public water supplies. It is urged to recognize that protecting Canton Lake watershed as an important part of providing safe drinking water for the public as Canton Lake is part of a dual water supply. Alderman Fritz suggested that the committee review the requests and bring back to the lake committee in two weeks. COMMUNITY & INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALDERMAN JEREMY PASLEV, CHA/RMAN UPDATE FROM MISSY TOWERY SRPED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GENERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POINTS RETAIL/COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT • Submitted proposal to national retailer for recruitment - contact came as follow up from recruitment letters. • 61 East Side Square: - Contact with D. Joseph Construction out of Peoria - Contacted business that has shown interest in the property previously - Showed the property to national retail chain • In process of updating SRPED side of website to make it more developer/site selector friendly • Sent out five new recruitment packets BUSINESS DEVEOPMENT, ATTRACTION AND SUPPORT • Working on securing 10,000 square feet for local business owner interested in warehouse space • Collaborating with local business on possible loan for fa~ade improvement TOURISM REPORT • Please see the reverse for a report from Dana Smith. CANTON MAIN STREET • Parking Lot Signage • Preparation and participation in CMS board meeting OTHER ~ Attended meeting at Spoon River College with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos as guest. • Preparation for SPRED Annual Luncheon • Financials • SRPED Board and EXEC board Prep and attendance • Preparation and attendance for Quarterly Breakfast of our Civic Champions, Community Partners and Development Associates ~ Work with Fulton County Finance Committee General Marketing & Tourism • Attended a Galesburg Convention & Visitors Bureau event on March 23 at the Sandburg Mall in Galesburg, designed to promote museums and tourism in the region. Hosted a booth at the event that featured information on Canton, the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, and Emiquon. Passed out 60+ brochures/flyers on Canton and Canton events. Also established contacts to provide the Galesburg CVB with brochures and flyers on Canton for distribution at their Visitor's Center. • Attended a meeting of the Fulton County Tourism/Economic Development Committee on March 5 at the Health Department in Canton. Discussion centered on the development of a functional Fulton County website that would showcase Fulton County government, law enforcement, economic development and tourism. • Attended the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway Board meeting at Shore Acres Park on March 28 in Chillicothe, Illinois. • Met with Jean Stone, manager of the Canton Harvester Inn, to prepare for the Illinois Audubon Society (IAS) conference in Canton at the end of April. Also contacted Jo Fessett of the IAS to offer support and printed brochures and flyers for inclusion in the registration confirmation packets sent to conference registrants. • Negotiated reduced hotel rates at the Canton Harvester Inn and a free dinner at Bistro 101 for Dale Bowman, an outdoor writer for the Chicago Sun Times. Conducted a walking tour of the downtown on March 13, along with Alderman Eric Schenck. Canton Ma.i.n Street. • Attended the inaugural Illinois Farmer's Market Association conference on March 7 in Springfield, Illinois with Carol Kohler, the new Promotion's Chair for Canton Main Street. Sat in on two breakout sessions that were beneficial in generating ideas and confirming that Canton Main Street has addressed most issues associated with starting a Farmer's Market. • Attended Main Street Coffee at Crawford's on Tuesday, March 12. • Created and e-mailed article on Art on Main Fine Arts Festival for the Canton Main Street newsletter. • Attended two Art on Main meetings on March 6 and March 19. Sent letters to 19 artists acknowledging their acceptance into the show. • Mailed out invitations to past Farmer's Market vendors to an organizational meeting at the Historic Depot on Monday, Apri18, at 6~30 p.m... • Developed news release to invite growers to the organizational meeting on Apri18. • Met with Carol Kohler to discuss Main Street events on March 11 prior to general committee meeting. Developed binder with checklists/printouts of past Main Street Events for Carol's use to organize Canton Main Street events in 2013. • Attended a Promotions Committee meeting on March 18. • Attended and produced Canton Main Street financials for presentation at the CMS Board meeting on March 26. • Forwarded article developed by Emily Cleer on the Seebree House in Canton to the Canton DailyLedger. Also contacted Wendy Martin at the Fulton Democrat about an ongoing article. Webeite • In March, www.cantonillinois.or~ had 35,009 pages views, with 13,461 unique IP addresses. • In February, the www.visitcantonil.or~ had 1,990 page views, with 1094 unique IP addresses. ~ Responded to three requests for information via the www.visitcantonil.ore website. • Met with Missy Towery on March 21 to outline changes to the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development side of the website. Redesigned homepage for the SRPED and began re-development of additional sections. Scenic Drive ~ Attended the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Association Board meeting on March 20. • Responded to a request for information from a potential craft vendor from Toulon, IL. LAVERDIERE CONSTRUCTION- INDUSTRIAL PARK City Administrator Jim Snider reported that Jack Laverdiere owner of Laverdiere Construction is interested in purchasing 12 acreas at the Industrial Park. TIF eligible costs will be involved in the plan going forward with the purchase. Jack Laverdiere explained that he is looking at a satellite location in Canton. Laverdiere recently did the IDOT project, additions on Wesley Church and the Catholic Church. A satellite location could grow and develop with a new office building. Jack has looked at land at the industrial park and the plan would be to move part of the gravel pile that they have acquired from crushing concrete for base on the land. The zoning will be reviewed to make sure it meets the guidelines for a ready mix plant or an asphalt plant. John Kunski is currently working with Jack on zoning issues. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Pasley/West to approve the sale of the lots 14,16,17 in the amount of $64,000.00 to Laverdiere Construction and send to Council for consideration. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. TIF LOAN- ERIC MATHEWS: AWNING FOR 27.29.31 SOUTH MAIN Eric Mathews explained that he purchased the Conner Building in April and has done some improvements. Fulton Democrat recently moved into the building after being in Lewistown over 100 years. The building needs some improvement on the outside and would like a TIF loan to make some improvements. City Administrator Jim Snider recommends a$4,000.00 TIF loan that would be forgivable if both retail spaces are occupied 36 out of the 48 months of that term. It would be a balloon loan with a 3.0% annualized interest. If the residency is met, it is forgivable. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Pasley/Pickel to send to Council for approval. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. SPECIAL EVENTS REQUEST- FRAGILE 5K Scott Roos explained that the 10t" annual walk will take place on April 20, 2013. The run will take place on the City streets. The insurance is also on file with the City. Scott explained that he discussed the route with the police department. The route starts at Wallace Park at 8:OOam. The cost is $25.00. The walk for fragile X will take place after the run. An auction starts at 11:OOam to benefit fragile X. Fragile X is the leading cause for autism. Motion and second were made by Aldermen Pasley/West to send to Council for approval. The motion carried by voice vote and was unanimous. NEGOTIATIONS, GRIEVANCE & PERSONNEL ALDERMAN DAVE PICKEL, CHA/RMAN ADJOURNMENT Motion,.arrc~second were~ made by Aldermen Pickel/Nelson to adjourn without the need for s execu~ive se~sion. . ~ ; ~ D na Pavley ~ City Clerk