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CITY OF MONMOUTH
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 17, 2009
I. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Rod Davies called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 100 East Broadway, Monmouth, Illinois and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Aldermen Tim Heatherly, Dave Rutledge, Dave Bates, Dan Heatherly, Jaime Godina, and Alderwoman Vicki McNamara Absent: Aldermen Dave Smith and Bob Wells
Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, City Administrator Eric Hanson, City Attorney Marcum Spears, Fire Chief Jim Conard, Police Chief Brad Zeigler, EMC Public Works Director Andy Jackson, Cemetery/Zoning Administrator Chuck Talley, and members of the Press.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Alderman Rutledge and seconded by Alderman Godina to approve the minutes of the August 3, 2009 meeting as presented. AYE: Aldermen T. Heatherly, Rutledge, and Bates NAY: none PASS: Alderman D. Heatherly and Alderwoman McNamara ABSENT: Aldermen Smith and Wells MOTION CARRIED.
IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL
A. Old Business
1. Boulevard Parking Discussion
Administrator Hanson stated that currently the ordinance regulating boulevard parking only deals with the areas that are on streets that have curb and sidewalks. According to Administrator Hanson, a significant ordinance change would most likely force the vehicles to move elsewhere. Boulevard parking is acceptable now if there is a cutting of the curb and concrete, gravel or asphalt is poured in the area between the street and the sidewalk. There is also a concern as to the possible damage of public utilities, such as curb stops, that could occur if parking is allowed on all boulevards. Administrator Hanson believes that this situation can be managed by simply clarifying the language in the current ordinance rather than make a whole- sale change. The consensus of the Council was to have the Administrator work with the department heads to review the ordinance and the situation to come up with a workable solution.
2. Alley Vacation in 300 Block between S. 8th and S. 9th Streets
Mayor Davies explained that the West end residents on the East-West alley between South 8th and South 9th Streets think that there is excessive speeding in the alley; therefore, they would like the alley closed. The East end residents would prefer to keep the alley open to all citizens. Mr. Cordery at the West end of the alley stated that he would be open to other solutions as long as it would address the speeding in the alley. Mr. Molton a resident at the East end said that the approach to the East end of the alley is in very bad shape and therefore most of the tenants in their building don't want to use the East entrance. He felt that if the approach to the East end of the alley were repaired that it would ease the situation.
Alderman D. Heatherly was not for vacating the alley and asked if it would be possible to find a solution by the next Council meeting on September 8th. Administrator Hanson asked the police to monitor the use of the alley and the speed and he would report back to the Council at the next meeting.
V. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Public Works – Chairman Dave Rutledge
1. WWTP Update – Andy Jackson
Mr. Jackson reported that a progress meeting was held today. The contractor started digging the hole for the trench box that will be here this week. It was a good brainstorming session as to how to condense the work to meet the schedule deadline. Mr. Jackson also reported that along with himself, Mayor Davies and Administrator Hanson were going to Springfield on Wednesday to meet with the IEPA concerning the WWTP deadline.
2. Stimulus Project
The contract for the Stimulus Project was received on August 4th. IDOT stated that it would be the middle of September before the contract will be executed. The bid came in below the estimate. The City's match will be $20,000. As long as the contract is awarded before December 31, 2009, the project can go into 2010. Administrator Hanson said that IDOT has no problem with the City removing the train tracks on North Main as it is our road, but the City will need to check with BNSF. Administrator Hanson also felt that because of the location of the tracks and the heavy traffic load in this area, that the removal could cause traffic problems.
B. Public Safety – Chairman Dave Smith
1. MFD Update – Chief Conard
Chief Conard announced that the North Fire Station Open House is tentatively scheduled for October 4th from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
2. MPD Update – Chief Zeigler
Chief Zeigler reported that the North 6th Street study doesn't warrant placement of another traffic control device in that area. He also announced that Bob Myers was sent to school to qualify to test for marijuana and that the department also bought the equipment needed to do the testing. Chief Zeigler said that 911 providers in the surrounding counties met in the new MPD training room. Alderman T. Heatherly asked for help with policing the square area and Chief Zeigler said that he was working on some ideas to bolster security for that area.
3. Request for "Children at Play" Sign in the 200 Block of South 8th Street
Mr. Jeremy Purchase of 220 S. 8th Street said that there is a great deal of traffic on South 8th and that he has observed a number of cars driving at excessive speeds. There are a number of children in the area and he would like to see a sign warning the drivers that there are children playing in the area. Administrator Hanson said that he would spend some time with Chief Zeigler to come up with recommendations for the Council for that area of South 8th Street.
C. Community Development – Chairwoman Vicki McNamara
Alderwoman McNamara reported that the Campground is almost full for Labor Day Weekend and that the receipts for 135 days of the season are at $9,178.50. She also reported that the manager of the Pool, Ryan Lipes, has returned to college and that Fran Sells will be the manager for the last week of the Pool Season, which ends Sunday, August 24th. Ryan has agreed to return as manager for the 2010 season. A new refrigerator had to be purchased for the concession stand due to the failure of the existing one. Alderwoman McNamara thanked Ryan and his staff for the excellent job of running the pool this season. She also thanked Fran Sells and Bruce Albert for how well the campground is being managed.
D. Finance/Audit – Chairman Dan Heatherly
1. Approval of Bills
It was moved by Alderwoman McNamara and seconded by Alderman Rutledge to approve the bills as presented. AYE: Aldermen Rutledge, Bates, D. Heatherly, Godina, T. Heatherly, and Alderwoman McNamara NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Smith and Wells MOTION CARRIED.
2. Approval of Minutes – July 20, 2009
It was moved by Alderman Bates and seconded by Alderwoman McNamara to approve the minutes of the July 20th meeting as presented. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.
VI. CITY ADMINISTRATOR HANSON
A. Updates
No additional updates other than the recent e-mailed update.
VII. ORDINANCES
A. 1st Reading
1. 09-019, Granting a Variance, 808 South 1st Street (Vacant Lot)
It was moved by Alderman D. Heatherly and seconded by Alderwoman McNamara to accept the recommendation of the Plan Commission to approve granting a variance for the property located at 808 South 1st Street (Vacant Lot). AYE: Aldermen D. Heatherly, Godina, T. Heatherly, Rutledge, Bates, and Alderwoman McNamara NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Smith and Wells MOTION CARRIED.
2. Zoning Report – Chuck Talley
Mr. Talley reported that his department has been very busy with inspections on the numerous projects that are going on in the City such as the new Calvary Baptist Church; expansions at County Market and Courtyard Estates; the new Walgreens and the addition of a small machine room at Farmland. There have been 589 Junk and Debris notices sent through July, which amounts to 107 more notices over last year. The demolition of the old Thunderstep property on South 3rd has been complicated with the cave-in of the roof. The collapse of the roof also makes the removal of the asbestos somewhat more difficult.
3. 09-020, Amending Chapter 30, Entitled "City Council", Committee of the Whole
It was moved by Alderman D. Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Bates to approve Ordinance 09-020 repealing Sections 30.20, .21, .22, .23, and .24 and in place thereof, is enacted the Committee of the Whole. AYE: D. Heatherly, Godina, T. Heatherly, Rutledge, Bates, and Alderwoman McNamara NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Smith and Wells MOTION CARRIED.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
It was moved by Alderman D. Heatherly and seconded by Alderman T. Heatherly to go into Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. to consider Personnel with possible approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement. AYE: Alderwoman McNamara, Aldermen D. Heatherly, Godina, T. Heatherly, Rutledge, and Bates NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Smith and Wells MOTION CARRIED.
IX. REGULAR SESSION
It was moved by Alderman D. Heatherly and seconded by Alderman T. Heatherly to return to Regular Session at 8:45 p.m. AYE: Aldermen D. Heatherly, Godina, T. Heatherly, Rutledge, Bates, and Alderwoman McNamara NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Smith and Wells MOTION CARRIED.
1. Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Fire Fighters Union
It was moved by Alderman Bates and seconded by Alderman Heatherly to authorize Mayor Davies and Administrator Hanson to sign the collective bargaining agreement with the Fire Fighters Union. AYE: Aldermen Godina, T. Heatherly, Rutledge, Bates, D. Heatherly, and Alderwoman McNamara NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Smith and Wells MOTION CARRIED.
X. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Alderman D. Heatherly and seconded by Alderman T. Heatherly to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Aldermen Smith and Wells, who were absent.
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