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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES |
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OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE WEST PEORIA CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2009 AT 7:00 P.M. WEST PEORIA CITY HALL 2506 W. ROHMANN AVENUE WEST PEORIA IL
A regular meeting of the City Council of West Peoria, Illinois was held at the West Peoria City Hall on December 8, 2009.
1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Dillon.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Dillon.
3. ROLL CALL The following members were present: Mayor Dillon, Alderman Dohm, Alderman Dwyer, Alderman Ganson, Alderman Mathewson, Alderman Meismer, Alderman O’Neill, Alderwoman Thomas, Alderman Venzon, City Attorney Connor, Economic Development Coordinator Pratt, Street Department Manager Strube, City Clerk Stephens. Also attending Township DeSutter Rolland Reinhart and Officer James Middlemas.
4. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM AGENDA None
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes from the November 24, 2009 City Council Meeting was made by Alderwoman Thomas and seconded by Alderman Dohm. Alderman Meismer asked for correction on Item 11. Dollar amount should read $6,116.65. This has been corrected. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Thomas, Dohm, Dwyer Ganson, Mathewson, Meismer, O’Neill, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
6. COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT Deputy James Middlemas reported on two incidents in West Peoria. In both cases the suspects were arrested and reported on property criminal damages in the vicinity of Pierson Hill and Nebraska Avenue. Officer Middlemas put out a warning to beware of bogus phone scams.
7. MAYOR DILLON Mayor Dillon thanked Bob and Sandy DeSutter and their grandson Alex for decorating the Welcome Wall at the corner of Western Avenue and Main Street. The decorations were furnished by the West Peoria Residents Association. Mayor Dillon thanked the West Peoria Residents Association for the Christmas Sing on December 6th, held at the Franciscan Center. Mayor Dillon said that the Illinois American Agreement with Stever’s should be signed by the first of the year. Mayor Dillon cautioned everyone to slow down especially on the hills. He stated even though the streets are being treated they are still slick. Be careful on the side streets. Alderman Dwyer complimented the West Peoria Fire Department for their quick response to an accident at the corner of Sterling Avenue and West Manor Parkway.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT Township DeSutter reminded everyone the Scouts will be out Christmas Caroling on the float December 14, 15, 17 and 18, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. weather permitting.
9. MOTION TO APPROVE AUDIT REPORT 1) A Motion to Receive and File the Audit Report was made by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Dohm. Discussion: Alderman Mathewson commented that the Audit Report is lengthy and encouraged the Council to read it and if they have any questions please don’t hesitate to call him. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Mathewson, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
2) A Motion to Receive and File the Annual Financial Report TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT I FUND was made by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Meismer. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Mathewson, Meismer, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
10. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO HERMANN & ASSOCIATES, LLC FOR MISCELLANEOUS ENGINEERING FROM AUGUST 3, 2009 TO OCTOBER 17, 2009 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,788.50 (LINE ITEM NO. 01-41-532) INVOICE 724 was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson Discussion: None ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, O’Neill, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
11. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO HERMANN & ASSOCIATES, LLC MFT FOR HEADING MILL/OVERLAY CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,116.65 (LINE ITEM NO. 17-00-532) INVOICE 725 was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson. Discussion: Alderman Meismer asked to correct the amount to read $6,116.65. A correction was made and the corrected copy of Agenda November 24, 2009 was filed. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, O’Neill, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
12. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO C.D.O. TRUCKING INC. FOR THE DEMOLITION OF HOUSE AND SHED AT 2425 W. CALLENDER AVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,500. (LINE ITEM 01-21-549) was made by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Meismer Discussion: Mayor Dillon said this is the house on Callender that had the basement walls caving in and Attorney Connor requested the court order to demolish the house. The next door neighbor is going to purchase the lot once the city has the lot cleared. The neighbor will pay the amount of cost to the city for having the house demolished. The West Peoria Fire Department used this house for exercises the morning before it was demolished. Alderman Mathewson asked Attorney Connor when you received the court order to demolish the house; does this mean that the City owns the property? Attorney Connor answered Alderman Mathewson stating no. Attorney Connor told the City Council we will record a lien for the demolition fee and the attorney’s fee we incurred on this and foreclose on the lien and it will be sold to the City or to the neighbor. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Mathewson, Meismer, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
13. INTERFUND BALANCES 1) A MOTION TO APPROVE REPAYMENT TO THE TIF DISTRICT FUND GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,758.95. (LINE ITEM 15-00-241) was made by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Meismer. Discussion: Alderman Mathewson said there are a couple of things to do to clean up last year’s budget. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Mathewson, Meismer, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
2) A MOTION TO APPROVE THE GENERAL FUND TO REPAY THE MFT FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $167,129.11 (LINE ITEM 01-00-999) was made by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Meismer. No Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Mathewson, Meismer, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
14. WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT Economic Development Coordinator Gene Pratt led the discussion. He stated the contract proposal the City has with Dave Schaab/Waste Management indicates the payment they get will be generated from our property taxes and if this is the case then there is no cost associated in sending out a bill. At this point we are talking with Greater Peoria Sanitary District to send the bills out for us. There will be a fee for sending the bills out. We do not know what the fee will be. We should know this week. Alderman Dohm asked if there should be a motion to table this until we know the numbers. Alderman Dwyer said this is on the agenda simply as an information item for discussion. The City has one year left on our contract option. This just to inform the City Council that Public Safety in lieu of the ongoing research they are doing on pursuing the single payer with the Sanitation District. The fact that we cannot do it through the Tax Assessment we want to exercise the final year of our current contract which will be up November 2010. Mayor Dillon asked if the Council would have to vote to extend it the year. Alderman Dwyer asked Attorney Conner if it is required that the Council approves to exercise the option. Attorney Connor said this is the old contract that has been approved, if there is an option for the City, and as I recall there is. I would think we would have to vote to extend it. Alderman Dwyer said it is necessary to exercise the option to extend this contract for one more year.
A MOTION THE EXTEND THE WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR ONE MORE YEAR was made by Alderman Dwyer and seconded by Alderwoman Thomas. Discussion: Attorney Connor asked for the deadline to extend the contract and asked when does the City have to let them know we want to extend the contract? Alderman Dwyer said the contract expires November 30th, 2010. Attorney Connor said that the deadline to extend will expire on December 31, 2009. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Dwyer, Thomas, Dohm, Ganson, Mathewson, Meismer, O’Neill, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
15. A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO OIC IN THE AMOUNT OF $830.90 (LINE ITEM 01-11-539) was made by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Dohm. Discussion: Economic Development Coordinator Gene Pratt stated that OIC Group Incorporated pre bill for the quarter. Alderman Mathewson asked Economic Development Coordinator Pratt if he would explain the billing from OIC? Economic Development Coordinator Pratt said that this is the first statement the City has received from the OIC Group. He explained the first line item of $656.25 is for the transfer set of our website from the original NTS Group to the OIC Group. The second line is for the current four months of web hosting that were not billed. The third line item is for the first quarter of 2010. Alderman Dohm asked if the City received their software from the old server. Economic Development Coordinator Pratt stated yes the City did receive the software. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Mathewson, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried.
16. A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2009-21 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 5-1-13 OF THE WEST PEORIA CITY CODE AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CLASS H LIQUOR LICENSE TO TWO was made by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Dohm. Discussion: Mayor Dillon said that the Class H is for beer and wine. Walgreens on Western Avenue has asked to sell beer and wine to compete with other drug stores in the market and from my understanding they are going to try to do this with all of their stores. Mayor Dillon said he discussed this with the Liquor Commission Board with a favorable response. Originally when the Liquor Class was set up there was a set amount of how many each Liquor Class could have. Over the years this got out of line and a couple of years ago the Liquor Commission Board got the Classes in line and got rid of the Liquor Classes that were not needed. Alderman Dohm asked the number of liquor licenses in West Peoria. City Clerk state we currently have 19, this will make twenty. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Mathewson, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
17. A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUBDIVISION OF 2600 W. FARMINGTON ROAD was made by Alderman Dohm and seconded by Alderman Dwyer. Discussion: Economic Development Coordinator Gene Pratt told the City Council that the Plan Committee held a meeting to consider a subdivision of the property at 2600 W. Farmington Road. One half of this property has been sold. Gene explained the building and frontage property has been sold to a hardware store and will be using the building as a warehouse. The eastern part of this property will be retained by the Becker Company for storage of equipment and supplies. This was approved by the Plan Commission. Alderman Dohm raised the question access easement? Economic Development Coordinator Pratt said that this was in place and as Alderman Dohm pointed out the Becker Company has an easement on the eastern edge of Cam’s parking lot, there is an opening that they have been using to get in and out. This is how the Becker Company will get access to their property. If you drive by you can see the opening. Mayor Dillon asked if there were any other questions. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Mathewson, Meismer, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
18. OTHER BUSINESS – ANNEXATION Economic Development Coordinator Gene Pratt told the City Council he has had talked with Peoria County to determine the ownership of a few pieces of property that were classified as unknown. Economic Development Coordinator Pratt stated the County determined these pieces of property are owned by the State of Illinois and now that the City is aware of this and West Peoria can go to the State and ask if they will cooperate in this process. Economic Development Coordinator Pratt said the corner of Farmington Road and Creek Road is owned by the County and they have no objection to annexing this property into West Peoria and told the Council he is having a meeting with Sherry Hamilton to ask if she is willing to annex into West Peoria. The City is coming close to having identified properties. Once this is complete we can start moving forward with Attorney Connor’s help. Peoria County has been very cooperative. Alderman Mathewson said one the things Eric Jones, West Peoria’s Auditor, said at the Finance Committee meeting was “West Peoria being land locked our tax rate is very flat”. Alderman Mathewson stated West Peoria has leveled out and this annexation is the one of the only ways we can increase the tax rate. This is one good reason, if you are looking for a reason why to this that would be one. Alderman Dohm said he was informed of someone who would like to be involved with the acquisition to West Peoria. He has property adjoining the Babu property and asked Attorney Connor if he has ever dealt with annexation through State property. Attorney Connor said that he will check on this. State property in itself can keep you from being contiguous. But if it is a road, then it doesn’t. I will check this out. The State is very cooperative Alderman Dwyer asked about Fire Protection. Once we cross out of West Peoria, does that become Limestone? Will the jurisdiction change or the fire district? Alderman Mathewson said that it is his understanding it will all stay the same. It will stay Limestone School District and Pleasant School District and all the Fire District will stay the same. All we will be getting is property tax. Alderman Dohm stated the properties that West Peoria has annexed in the past is still Limestone District. Mayor Dillon said that he would like to congratulate Terry Capps, one of West Peoria’s former Assistant Chiefs. Terry has been hired to be the new Fire Chief in Limestone.
19. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chair Mathewson – The Finance Committee met on December 1, 2009. Auditor Eric Jones went over the audit with the Committee, we finalized our Tax Levy and will be bringing it to the special meeting of the City Council December 15th. We went over the internet bill and talked about the TIF and annexation. Our next meeting will be January 5, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
B. LAND USE COMMITTEE Chair Dohm – The Land Use Committee has not met since the last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting will be December 16th at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Chair Dwyer – The Public Safety Committee has not met since the last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting will be December 16th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
D. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Chair Venzon – The Transportation Committee has not met since the last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting will be December 10th at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Alderman Venzon reminded everyone with the weather do not forget that all of West Peoria is an emergency snow route. If we are projected two inches of snow or more do not park on the street or you May receive a warning ticket for the first offense, but it will also define what will happen if you are a repeat offender, beginning with fines starting at twenty-five dollars and escalating for the number of fines. Help the Street Department to do their job.
20. PUBLIC COMMENT Street Department Manager Strube commented on the new end loader for the City. He said that it is great. Not only is the end loader efficient there is less spillage than we had. Henry thanked the Council for the approval of the purchase.
21. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderman O’Neill and seconded by Alderman Ganson. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Carole Stephens – City Clerk
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