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OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST PEORIA, ILLINOIS TUESDAY February 24, 2009 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 February 24, 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: Alderman Dohm, Alderman Dwyer, Alderman Ganson, Alderman Mathewson, Alderman Meismer, Alderman Roberts, Alderwoman Thomas and Alderman Venzon. Also present: Mayor James Dillon, Attorney Bill Connor, City Administrator John Carlson. City Treasurer Jennifer Main, City Clerk Carole Stephens. Street Department Manager Henry Strube, Township Supervisor Bob DeSutter and Rolland Reinhart. Plan Commission member Jason Barth, West Peoria Residents Association member Dave Pittman, Mrs. Margaret McGaughey and Warren Turney.
4. ADDITIONS AND OR DELETIONS FROM AGENDA Alderman Dohm asks that Item 20 be deleted from the agenda.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the Minutes from the February 10, 2009 City Council Meeting was made by Alderman Dohm and seconded by Alderman Ganson. ROLL CALL VOTE – 7 Ayes, Dohm, Ganson, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent-0 Motion Carried
6. COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT Officer Chris Watkins introduced Officer Lee Hoffman to the City Council and said that he is training another new officer, Jeremiah Lewis, that he will introduce at the next City Council Meeting. Officer Watkins said that since the last City Council Meeting West Peoria has been very quiet, no burglaries.
7. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Dillon wished Officer Hoffman good luck. Mayor Dillon reported that last week he attended a combined meeting with the Policy and Technical Committees with PPUATS. This meeting was about the Stimulus Money coming to Illinois. The Federal and State were represented. The way it sounds that this area is going to get five and a half million dollars over and above the two million dollars they normally get. We have a period of time to get some projects in line to be funded. The sooner they can get in line the more apt they are to get funded. They have to be shovel ready. A lot of the projects that were submitted early, IDOT did not feel they were shovel ready, IDOT did not submit them. The Plan Commission is going to see what projects are in line to be funded the next few years, and can be moved up. My suggestion at the next meeting would be to pick what road project we would like to do with the five and one half million dollars and if ours was picked whether it could be ready to be put out for bid in the next six months. The way it sounds we have only a few months to get going or that five and half million dollars could be taken away. Henry was at the meeting and we talked with the City’s engineer to see if we could move our schedule way ahead, if they decided to go with Phase I. I have been talking with our State Representative Jehan Gordon and Senator Koehler and they know all about Sterling Avenue Project.
8. TREASURER’S REPORT Jennifer Main, City Treasurer passed out the Treasurer’s Report for the month of: January 2009. A motion to receive and file the January 2009 Treasurer's Report was made by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Meismer. ROLL CALL VOTE – 7 Ayes 8 Mathewson, Meismer, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Roberts Thomas, Venzon Nays – o Absent – 0 Motion Carried.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT Margaret McGaughey and Warren Turney from the United Disciples Christian Church, previously the West Bluff Christian Church, came to share the information she has about the closing of their church. The church has been established in West Peoria since 1924. The situation is that they have too few people and little financial resources to take care of the building. I have been chairman of this task force and Warren Turney has served with me. This coming Sunday we are making a recommendation to the congregation to close the church. The congregation will vote on this; to close the congregation as an active church on the very first of May. We have been in the same spot since 1924. This is where our history is, our hearts, our desire to have the building be put to use to continue to serve this community. We have no authority to offer to sell it to the City, but if the City is interested we will see that it comes in your direction. The acquisition is available and will be put on the market if the City of West Peoria is not interested. Warren said: that the church does have other options.
10. MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2009-07 AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE 2008 SPECIAL SERVICE AREA TAXES PAYABLE IN 2009 AND THOSE SPECIAL SERVICE AREA TAXES PAYABLE IN 2009 AND THOSE SPECIAL SERVICE AREA TAXES FOR THE YEARS 2009 AND 2010 PAYABLE IN 2010 AND 2011 RESPECTIVELY FOR THE PROPERTY AT 2310 W. AYRES LOCATED WITHIN WEST PEORIA SPECIAL SERVICE AREA 2008-04 AND AMENDING ORDINANCE 2008-21 was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson. Discussion: Attorney said this is a property that sold recently and as part of the sale the The entire remaining rebate was paid off. ROLL CALL VOTE; Ayes – 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas. Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
11. MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2009-08 AN ORDINANCE CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL SERVICE AREA FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2009 was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson. Discussion: Alderman Venzon said that in packet it says what this is for: setting up Sidewalk Programs for Waverly Avenue, Pleasant Avenue and Lammers Avenue... ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas. Nays -0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
12. MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2009-03 A RESOLUTION ANNOUNCING INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO WAIVE PORTIONS OF 50 ILCS 510/0.01 et.seq, IN CONSIDERATION OF CONSTRUCTION OF FUTURE TOWNSHIP/CITY HALL was approved by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Venzon. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes - 8 Mathewson, Venzon, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried.
13. MOTION THE APPROVE PAYMENT TO HERMANN & ASSOCIATES LLC ENGINEERING FOR SERVICES FOR MARKET STREET – MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 (LINE ITEM 17-00-532) was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson. Discussion: Alderman Venzon said this is authorized; there was a Resolution earlier for The Engineering for Market Street this is ok to pay the bill that you have in front of you for $59,521.69. The rest will come later; we are just paying $50,000 of what is already done. We have passed the Ordinance for MFT Funds. ROLL CALL VOTE – Ayes 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
14. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO HERMANN & ASSOCIATES LLC ENGINEERING FOR SERVICES FOR MARKET STREET MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,063.56 (LINE ITEM 17-00-532) was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson. Discussion: Alderman Venzon said that is bill is for extra survey time and observation. ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
15. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO HERMANN & ASSOCIATES LLC ENGINEERING FOR SERVICES FOR STERLING AVENUE PHASE 1 IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,521.69 GENERAL FUND (LINE ITEM 01-41-532) was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson. Discussion: Alderman Venzon said that is the balance of the original bill, we have the money In our general fund and thought we saw no reason to dip into our MFT Fund. Mayor Dillon said the Sterling Avenue Phase 1 is with the Federal Money; Alicia said that she is qualified if there is something different that would have to done so project could be approved if we were going to try to get the Federal Money to pay the engineering fees. Most municipalities would not be able to use their regular engineers, Alicia told me that she is certified. ROLL CALL VOTE – Ayes 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent - 0 Motioned Carried
16. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO HERMANN & ASSOCIATES LLC ENGINEERING FOR SERVICES MISCELLANEOUS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,728.00 – GENERAL FUND (LINE ITEM01-41-532) was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson Discussion: Alderman Venzon this is for Phase 1 trying to get it ready for the PPUATS Round and now we have to step it up for the Stimulus Money. ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Venzon, Ganson Dohm, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas Nay – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
17. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO HERMANN & ASSOCIATES LLC ENGINEERING SERVICES MISCELLANEOUS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,067.00 GENERAL FUND (LINE ITEM 01-41-532) was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson. Discussion: This is for Kenwood and Swords Avenues trying to figure out a way to directionally bore a pipe to connect another manhole. ROLL CALL VOTE – Ayes 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
18. CHANGE IN INVESTMENT ACCOUNT FOR DISCUSSION Discussion: Alderman Mathewson said that basically with South Side Bank the City has their own account in investment, they are charging a fee and the City is making more interest than what the fee was. Due to the economy we are now paying more now. South Side Bank has authorized ways to correct this. To pool our fund with some of their other funds that they authorize and that should give us a lot more interest. We have checked with Eric Jones our accountant and he is fine with this. Alderman Dohm asked if this is creating, technically, our own mutual fund. Alderman Mathewson: Basically, yes.
19. MOTION TO APPROVE A REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL BURN PERMIT. Discussion: David Pittman from the West Peoria Resident Association said that he came to the City Council as a volunteer for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The IDNR has worked at St. Mary’s Cemetery since 1991 restoring the hillside. We restore the prairie grass and the native flowers. The part I would like to burn has over 140 native species of flowers and plants. A number of years ago the Cemetery Association created a twenty year commitment not to do anything harmful to this area. I would like to have a Burn Permit to burn this property which I have done every three years. I inform the neighbors with a handout explaining what I am doing incase they see the fire. We contact the Fire Department, notify the IDPA. I filled out the application and paid the hundred dollars. I received a call that according to the Ordinance that states we need a permit from
the IDPA that state you
approve to burn. Council and gave the details. Dave Pittman then gave the Council a permission from the IDPA and the IDNR are comfortable with this. I have four volunteers tentatively for Sunday March 1st. City Administrator Carlson asked the City Attorney for his opinion. Attorney Connor stated that the letter from Angela Moorehouse, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission is convincing. There are two things that concern me: Our Ordinance requires a map and there is none attached, and the training level that your personnel is conducting the burn has. These are the only two things that appear to be missing. I would suggest that you start the approval quicker for the IEPA authorizing on Air Pollution. Alderman Venzon: Asked if everything is there to approve? Attorney Connor: Everything but IEPA. Alderman Ganson: Control burn can get out of control I have witnessed that. Mayor Dillon: This is a short window, if the Fire Department knows about this and they are going to help out, I don’t have a problem with this. But in the future they need to get the paper work done ahead of time. City Administrator: The issue is the Council does not have an IPEA permit. Alderman Dwyer: You, as a volunteer, are a representative of the IDNR. IDNR claims that they have a memorandum understanding IPEA. The point is that we do not have a wet signature copy of this memo to say that this is it. The question before the council: Does the Council trust a State Agency to say that they have an understanding with another State Agency. I put a motion on this table that we accept this Special Burn Permit on the grounds that the IDNR and the IEPA have a mutual memorandum understanding. Atty. Connor: Based on Alderman Dwyer’s description of how Electronic File Sharing Works it certainly reasonable to give the permit that the two Government Agencies have that matter of understanding. It rises to that level even though it doesn’t say Permit. Alderman Venzon: Does what you see cover us? Atty. Connor: It should with EPA. Alderman Mathewson seconded the motion made by Alderman Dwyer and would like to amend the motion to waive the $100 fee. Alderman Dohm: By the approving the Burning Permit where does set up liability if they lose control? David Pitman: The Volunteer Nature Resources carries $ 2,000,000 Liability Insurance for activities for training people and doing something with a permit. Atty. Connor: Any permit if you go out and regulate something you are held for the negligent standard. You should make sure that anyone you give a permit to should be properly trained. ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes 5 – Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts. Thomas Nays – 2 Ganson and Venzon Present – 1 Dohm Absent – 0 Motion Carried
Dave Pittman asked to speak on another subject pertaining to St. Mary’s Cemetery and passed out some information. IDNR has come up with a $10,000 Grant for restoration work at St. Mary’s. A professional group will come into St. Mary’s over the next 90 days and create some significant brush piles to allow sunlight to stimulate the grass and flowers. They will not be burnt.
20. ITEM 20 IS DELETED
21. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. FINANCE COMMITTEE - ALDERMAN MATHEWSON, CHAIR The Finance Committee has not met since the last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting is March 3, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. City Hall. We will go over the Budget.
B. LAND USE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN DOHM, CHAIR The Land Use Committee met on February 18. The committee went over our Financial Report. We preliminarily finished our Budget; we do have a few questions. We discussed the Planned Unit Development and all the Councilmen got a preliminary copy of it, this will be back on our agenda and we gave a copy of this to the Plan Commission. The Committee went through the Zoning Report and discussed several issues: one being the Zoning Officer would like support from the Council. We have several businesses that we will have to be more aggressive with. There are several businesses on Western Avenue and Farmington Road that definitely need attention. He just wants to know that this is the direction that the Council wants him to go. This is the way to go if we are going to attract new business in West Peoria. I will tell him he has Council approval. Reviewed our goals, our big one this year is the PUD. Our next meeting is March 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN DWYER, CHAIR The Public Safety Committee met on February 18, 2009. The Committee went discussed our Budget and did not have any problems and the Code Enforcement. Our next meeting is March 18, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Discussion: Alderman Dohm said that he has heard rumor that the City has found away to develop our garbage pick up into our property taxes? Alderman Dwyer said that the committee has asked the City Staff to research a single payer option. We have one more year option of our contract with Waste Management that we could exercise. We could not do anything without Council Approval for the final year of this contract.
D. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VENZON, CHAIR The Transportation Committee met on February 12, 2009. In addition to everything already tonight, we went over our Budget and Henry is putting together packets for Seal Coating and is trying to get them out a little early. Our next meeting is March 12, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
22. PUBLIC COMMENT Gene Pratt, Economic Development Coordinator said that there is a Bradley class that is working on a project that involves the Heading Avenue property. It is an engineering class and they are doing a project that will determine the feasibility of building a multi-family structure on that property. They have been asking us for information about what would it take to do that. Some point in the very near future they will be doing some surveying to determine the actual size of that property and topography and do some work there. This is to inform you that if any of you get a call about seeing a survey crew over there doing some work, this is a legitimate Bradley University Engineering Department Class Project.
23. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn this meeting was made by Alderman Roberts and seconded by Alderman Meismer. Motion carried unanimously by voice. Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
___________________________ Carole Stephens – City Clerk
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