MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 914 NORTH EASTON ST., STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2019
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, September 23, 2019
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus led the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.
III. ROLL CALL:
City Clerk Stiegemeier called roll with the following persons
ATTENDING: Councilmembers Maria Bodner, Brooke Wallace, Rick Johnson, Randy Hanks, Chad Plenske, Ailee Taylor, Jeff Scanzoni, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, City Attorney Phil Lading and Police Chief Jeff Doerr.
NOT ATTENDING: Alderman Anthony Schrauth and Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Johnson moved, seconded by Bodner to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting – 09/09/2019
Executive Session – 09/09/2019
Collector’s Report
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Restitution)--$25.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$1,355.82
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$47.77
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (DUI Fund)--$222.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Arrest Agency Fee)--$3.42
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$4.93
State of Illinois (Video Gaming Tax)--$6,384.02
State of Illinois (Telecommunications Tax)--$6,348.85
State of Illinois (Sales Tax)--$49,328.66
State of Illinois (MFT Tax)--$9,431.57
State of Illinois (MFT Tax)--$7,657.64
State of Illinois (Income Tax)--$30,577.52
State of Illinois (Use Tax)--$13,635.03
Illinois Public Risk Fund (2019 Safety Grant)--$3,631.00
Staunton Area Ambulance Service (Dispatch Services)--$500.00
Applications
Claims
September 23, 2019
Business Licenses Issued
Blackbird Bakery & Café (Sidewalk Dining License)
Staunton Sportsman Club (Raffle License)
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Schrauth.
Motion declared carried.
V. GUESTS
Wayne Heinemeyer began by extending his congratulations to the Mayor, City Council and previous Councils for their work in getting water lines replaced and sewers extended. He also thought it was great that the City was using their own employees on many of these projects as this is saving the City a lot of money. Wayne also felt that annexations are a good thing, but not always the best situation for everyone involved. He did have a concern with one of our local Main Street businesses. The business is Rooster’s Pub, and Wayne feels that people are working against the business and are soliciting complaints for various reasons. He feels that with the few businesses that we have on Main Street, everyone should work together to keep this thriving business, and he hopes the Council will work with them as well. Wayne praised our Fire Department and Police Department and feels that we have a “lovely community”. He is encouraging the Council to keep up the good work. In closing, he said he heard someone say that they wanted to get elected to the Council so they could straighten things out. Wayne feels that they were getting on for the wrong reason and he feels that all is well.
Bernie Hannig passed out a sheet entitled “Annexed under PROTEST”! I copy of his
list is attached to the City Council Meeting Minutes.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE
Received a letter from the Staunton Lions Club regarding the upcoming Halloween Parade. Plans are to have the parade on Wednesday, October 30th at 6:00 P.M. The
parade will begin at City Hall and proceed east on Main Street to Laurel Street and then south on Laurel Street to Henry Street, ending at the VFW Hall. They are asking the streets to be closed to traffic during the parade.
Received an email from the Staunton Chamber of Commerce requesting to close Main Street from Edwardsville Street to Laurel Street on Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 2:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. for their annual Trunk or Treat on Main Street.
Received a letter of resignation from full time Police Officer Steve Carnes, dated September 20, 2019. His resignation was effective immediately.
Received an email from the Staunton Area Ambulance Service asking to reserve the Fireman’s Park on Sunday October 20, 2019 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. for a Trunk or Treat community event. They are requesting to have the park rental fee waived.
VII. TREASURER’S REPORT
Investments recently cashed in at the Bank of Springfield CDARS Program:
Telecommunications Fund--$300,000.00 plus $5,742.74 interest
Infrastructure Fund--$200,000.00 plus $3,838.50 interest
Water Fund--$100,000.00 plus $1,907.26 interest
VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT
City Clerk Stiegemeier attended the Illinois Municipal League Conference in Chicago on Friday, September 29. I went to three seminars: The first was an update on issues and cases related to the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act, which was presented by two attorneys from the law firm of Brown, Hay & Stephens in Springfield. The second session was on Ethics and Transparency which included discussion regarding conflicts of interest, the Gift Ban Act, compliance with the Open Meetings Act and other sunshine laws. This session was presented by two attorneys from the law firm of Sorling Northrup. The third session was on the Future of Local Government Websites and this session discussed the changing roles of social media and the way local governments are using their websites. Presenters for this session were attorneys from the law firm of Ancel Glink.
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -
Motion by Taylor, seconded by Bodner authorizing Mayor Neuhaus to sign Intergovernmental Agreement For Construction Trades Program Project By And Among Macoupin County 911 And City Of Staunton And Staunton Community Unit School District No. 6. This is for a building to be built near the south water tower and will enclose radios and other necessary equipment used by County 9-1-1. The school will build the building, Macoupin County 9-1-1 will pay for the cost of the building and all the City will be required to do is furnish the property. Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Update regarding the School Resource Officer. Staunton Schools Superintendent Dan Cox, and Public Health & Safety Chairman Ailee Taylor have met to create more firm details for a School Resource Officer Position. There are several steps to create this position, but there is forward traction. As these details are worked out, the City Council and the Staunton School Board will be approached for approval. Alderman Wallace asked if there was an implementation date in mind and Alderman Taylor stated that this will depend up on the School Board vote and the City vote after details are worked out. More will be discussed on this issue in the very near future at a committee meeting.
Motion by Taylor, seconded by Plenske to grant request from the Staunton Chamber of Commerce to close Main Street from Edwardsville Street to Laurel Street on Sunday October 27, 2019 from 2:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. for their annual Trunk or Treat on Main Street. Ayes: Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –
Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Bodner to pay Invoice #19-2235 to Illinois Codification Services for work completed on Zoning Code updates in the amount of $1,842.50. Prior to the roll call vote being taken, Alderman Johnson stated that he is against paying this bill due to the fact that the update was done in error to the City and he hopes to prevent this from happening again. Ayes: Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: Johnson, Hanks, Plenske. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried 4 Ayes; 3 Nayes.
Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Hanks to pay Invoice #18753 to Polo Trucking, Inc. for 2” rock for the soccer field parking lot in the amount of $3,447.17. Ayes: Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Abstain: Bodner. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried 6 Ayes; 1 Abstain.
Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Hanks to pay Invoice #18754 to Polo Trucking, Inc. for CA-06 rock for the soccer field parking lot in the amount of $2,994.17. Ayes: Taylor, Scanzoni, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske. Nayes: None. Abstain: Bodner. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried 6 Ayes; 1 Abstain. Alderman Bodner thanked Public Works Director Kuethe and Township Commissioner Ronnie Maedge, along with several City and Township employees, for all of their hard work on getting the rock spread at the soccer field parking lot. Maria stated that there were many people at the soccer field this past weekend for games and she heard several compliments on the condition of the parking lot.
Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Johnson to pay Invoice #502359 to Sandberg, Phoenix & VonGontard for Professional Services rendered regarding condemnation proceedings at 518 Washington in the amount of $3,006.15. Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Bodner to grant request from the Staunton Area Ambulance service to use the Fireman’s Park on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. for a Trunk or Treat community event, with the park rental fee being waived. Ayes: Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
FINANCE–
Motion by Taylor, seconded by Bodner to accept Bid from CENPRO Services, Inc. for asbestos abatement at recently purchased Main Street & Laurel Street buildings in the amount of $54,200.00. The only other bid received was from Advanced Environmental Services, Inc., with their bid amount being $68,670.00. Prior to the roll call vote being taken, Alderman Wallace doesn’t feel comfortable voting on this since there isn’t a clear understanding as to how this project is being financed. It is unclear as to where this would lie in the budget or if the City be getting a USDA loan. Taylor stated that where interest rates are now, it would be the best interest to the City to move forward and get a loan for the project. Alderman Bodner commented that this project has been discussed many times, and this must be done and must be fixed. Taylor stated that she has been in contact with Rodney Potts regarding the cost of the project, with figures ranging from $3.3 million to $4.6 million. The lesser cost would be just doing the core of the project at the Main and Laurel intersection with the higher cost going all the way down to IGA. Taylor is planning to call a Finance Committee Meeting next week to discuss this project at length. At roll call vote, Ayes: Johnson, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: Wallace, Hanks. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried 5 Ayes; 2 Nayes.
WATER-
Prior to the motion being made, Alderman Johnson wanted to fill the Council in
regarding a situation in Livingston this past weekend. A water break was discovered
Friday night in Livingston and the Bond/Madison Water Co. nor the Village of
Livingston employees were able to fix the leak. A call was made from Livingston
to see if some of our City of Staunton employees would be able to come over and fix
the leak. Several of our employees, along with our equipment, went to Livingston’s
aid and got the leak repaired on Saturday. Some residents had been without water for
several hours. A big thanks goes to our employees for doing a great job!
Motion by Hanks, seconded by Wallace to pay Invoice #18752 to Polo Trucking, Inc. for fill sand used on the Sportsman Club Lane water main project in the amount of $2,539.70. Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
STREET / SEWER
Nothing to report.
PUBLIC GROUNDS-
Nothing to report.
TOURISM –
Nothing to report.
PERSONNEL –
Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson to advertise and create a list for full time Officers for the Staunton Police Department. The list will be kept in place for 12 months. Ayes: Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson to advertise for part time Officer positions for the Staunton Police Department. Ayes: Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
ANNEXATION –
Nothing to report.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES –
Nothing to report.
JUDICIARY—
Motion by Bodner, seconded by Wallace to table Ordinance #2015 An Ordinance Annexing Certain Territory Commonly Known As 148 S. Della Lane To The City Of Staunton, Macoupin County, Illinois. Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Bodner, seconded by Wallace to table Ordinance #2016 An Ordinance Annexing Certain Territory Commonly Known As 84 Della Lane To The City Of Staunton, Macoupin County, Illinois. Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2017 An Ordinance Annexing Certain Territory Commonly Known As 20151 Staunton Road To The City Of Staunton, Macoupin County, Illinois. Ayes: Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2018 An Ordinance Annexing Certain Territory Commonly Known As 20708 Staunton Road To The City Of Staunton, Macoupin County, Illinois. Ayes: Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2021 Approving A Charity Roadblock By Elbon Shrine Club To Conduct Their Newspaper Drive At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union. Ayes: Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Taylor to approve Ordinance #2021 Approving A Charity Roadblock By Elbon Shrine Club To Conduct Their Newspaper Drive At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union. Ayes: Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Wallace, seconded b Bodner to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2022 An Ordinance To Install Stop Signs On West Spring Street At Its Intersection With South Hibbard Street, And East Pennsylvania Street At Its Intersection With Maple Street. Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Taylor to approve Ordinance #2022 An Ordinance To Install Stop Signs On West Spring Street At Its Intersection With South Hibbard Street, And East Pennsylvania Street At Its Intersection With Maple Street. Ayes: Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—
Alderman Bodner reminded everyone about the Vendor Safety Fair that will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at NET Community Church. The event is being sponsored by the Staunton Area Emergency Management
Council and will have great educational resources relating to disaster preparedness.
Alderman Wallace stated that she has received phone calls recently regarding her
votes at City Council Meetings. She feels that people are being misconstrued and are
not being informed on issues at the meetings. Wallace thinks the Council should visit
the thought of televising the Council Meetings. This could be done by starting a You
Tube channel, with their being no cost to the City. She is encouraging the Council to
seriously consider this. Wallace also commented that it was great to see a room full
of people attending the City Council Meeting this evening.
XI. NEW BUSINESS-
Nothing to report.
XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION—
No Executive Session was held.
XIII. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION –
.
No motions were made from Executive Session.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Scanzoni seconded by Councilmember Wallace to adjourn at 7:34 P.M. All present voting aye, motion carried.
Prepared by:
Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk