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OFFICIAL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEST PEORIA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST PEORIA, ILLINOIS TUESDAY MARCH 10, 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 March 10, 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 Boy Scout Joe Zilkowski. Joe is in 7th grade at St. Mark’s School.
3. ROLL CALL The following members were present: Alderman Dohm, Alderman Dwyer, Alderman Ganson Alderman Mathewson, Alderman Meismer, Alderwoman Thomas, Alderman Roberts, Alderman Venzon. Also present: Mayor James Dillon, City Attorney Bill Connor, and City Administrator John Carlson, Economic Coordinator Gene Pratt, City Clerk Carole Stephens and Street Department Manager Henry Strube. Residents: Township Supervisor DeSutter, Rolland Reinhart, John Powell, Joe Zilkowski, Bruce Zilkowski, Jim McCarter Carolyn McCarter and Scott Hilyard from the Peoria Journal Star.
4. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM AGENDA None
5. MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 24, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING was made by Alderman Dohm and seconded by Alderman Ganson ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Dohm, Ganson, Dwyer, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
6. COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT Officer Chris Watkins was in training. No Report.
7. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Dillon said that he attended a very important meeting with PPUATS for the Stimulus Money. The Technical Committee will make a decision next Thursday and will take their recommendation to the Policy Committee. There is 5.5 million dollars allotted for this area. The Policy Committee will have to decide if will take some of the projects that were in the pool for the next five years and move some of them up or use the formula for MFT matching. If it comes to that according to the formula we should get sixty thousand eight hundred dollars and twelve cents. There is confusion how the money is to be spent, there are a lot of unanswered questions. I attended a Mayor’s Meeting in Chillicothe and talked with Carol Merna from Congressman Shock’s office she told me about some Grants that were available for projects. Mayor Dillon said he learned that Community Policing Program the City of West Peoria benefited a number of years ago with the extra police officer evidently has been initiated again.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT None
9. MOTION TO APPROVE THE TIME CHANGE FOR THE APRIL 14, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO 6:30 P.M. was made by Alderman Dohm and seconded by Alderwoman Thomas. Discussion: The time is being changed because of the Annual Township Meeting. ROLL CALL VOTE; AYES – 8 Dohm, Thomas, Dwyer, Ganson Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
10. DISCUSSION ONLY: A. United Disciples Christian Church Alderman Venzon opened the discussion and stated that he asked this topic to be on the agenda. Alderman Venzon asked the City Administrator if he had an update or any new information on the church. The City Administrator said that the only thing he knew is the church did have a meeting and voted unanimously that they are going to close as a church and that he does not know the exact date. Alderman Venzon said that he would like to look at this building; Margaret McGaughy said that they were willing to talk to us and turn the building over to the City. I would like to give it some serious thought to exploring the possibility of taking the building over. I really think we need to consider this and I would suggest putting a small group together. A couple from the council members, also someone from the West Peoria Residents Association and one or two from any interesting parties to look at that building. I would also encourage, even before we get to that point, that we hire an architect for a couple of hours to walk the building and see if it is even feasible. Then after we get the architect’s recommendation we will have this group of people go through the building. I know that this is not popular with some around this table but I do think we do have to find out if it is right for the City, and we cannot this decide this unless we know the condition and if it is something we can use. I would like to throw this out for discussion, so if they call ask our decision we will have an answer. Alderman Dohm asked if Alderman Venzon had a purpose is mind. Alderman Venzon: possible Community Center and I think we would be remiss if we did not Investigate the possibilities especially if the price is right and the building is in decent shape. Alderman Dohm: Is it marketed yet? Administrator Carlson: Not to my knowledge. Alderman Venzon: She offered it to the City and I think we should consider it, if not we will have to have an answer incase a citizen asked about it. Economic Developer Pratt shared some information he learned at the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs Conference, which deals in small communities. The session that I thought was the most interesting was a theme that is reoccurring in most small towns on a regular basis: A Gathering Place or Community Center where the residents can have the option to do things together this lends it’s self to the creative inspirations that some of the citizens have. It is a critical component. A building like this would suit the citizens. A gathering place is not a trend; it is becoming an institution of a small community that offers a lot of opportunities. Alderman Venzon said that if the City got to a certain point we could have a small group that would look over the utilities bills and the cost of improvements. If this is not feasible OK, but if it is feasible the City should look at it. Alderman Dohm asked if any of the communities are looking into being self-sufficient. Do they charge a minimal amount to participate in certain activities to cover the cost. Gene Pratt: They were self sufficient. They said not to worry about what comes after you set it up worry about setting it up, the community will tell what their needs are. These community centers are a real vocal point for a municipality of our size. Alderman Dwyer said that we should look into this. This church is an institution and we owe them the courtesy and honor by not ignoring their offer.\Considering and giving it a fair shot. Alderman Dohm: Let’s have Gene talk with the people who represent the church and give us the figures, so we will have something to go on. I advise looking into it. Mayor Dillon said that we will have Gene find out when where and how much. Gene Pratt said he needs clarification on how you want him to do this. Do you want an architect to walk the property and tell how feasibility this is. Administrator Carlson said that Steve Happ, a structural engineer went through the building and told us it is a sound building. Mayor Dillon said that Steve was asked to check asbestos. The key thing is to find out the dollar amount and some of the other key expenses. If it is reasonable then proceed with the architect. One thing we know after the Building Committee Meeting the building is not ADA ready so we would have the cost of an elevator. Administrator Carlson said that he was told that the bathrooms are ADA. Mayor Dillon said the Building Committee is pursuing a building the joint Community Center with the Township and the City Hall so there would be no need for two Community Centers.
11. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT The Committee met on March 3, 2009. Chair Mathewson. The Committee has a couple of Major Projects coming up: Sterling Hill and the Community Center/City Hall. We had a gentleman from Bloomington who works with municipalities gave a presentation on selling Bonds and gave several options. We are going over that information and will keep this in mind. The major part of our meeting was to go over the next year’s Budget and it is almost finalized. All the other committees are finalizing their Budget and will have a meeting on next month. Goals: The Finance Committee decided that from now on we will have the four committees goals on one sheet and look at them semi-annually. We are trying to budget and part of this is we have to budget for the TIF. About six months ago we signed an agreement with the Bailey Property and Woodridge to give them some TIF money. They have not signed the agreement yet and we have not started that process until they sign the Agreement. The Committee made a motion to send them a letter and give them thirty days to sign this letter. We have talked this over with Jacob and Company and they agreed if they don’t sign this agreement we will come back with a resolution that will make this agreement null and void. We had an Executive Meeting and went over our Executive Minutes and released several. We reviewed all the monthly bills. Our next meeting will be is April 7, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. B. LAND USE COMMITTEE REPORT The Land Use Committee has not met since our last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting is March 18, 2009 at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. C. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT The Public Safety Committee has not met since out last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting will be March 18th, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. D. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT The Transportation Committee has not met since our last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting will be March 12, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT Jim McCarter - Residents representing the Lions Club and the 4th of July Parade Jim McCarter: With the possibility of not having the United Disciples of Christ Christian Church for the Flag Raising Ceremony we are working on a couple of projects which will include rerouting the parade and blocking off the streets longer than we have done in the past. I would like to know what group I will meet with after I get all the ideas on paper and have met with the Park District and 150 School District. Alderman Venzon said that this would be the Transportation Committee. You get everything in place and we will work with you and call a special meeting. We will get your plans in place so you won’t have to wait. Alderman Dohm asked Jim if he was planning on a longer route. Jim McCarter: What we are planning to do is to start the parade here a City Hall, and using the school ground to park vehicles as they come. We are planning on reversing the route: Sterling Avenue, Moss Avenue, Waverly Avenue and Rohmann Avenue, finishing at the Franciscan Building. Mayor Dillon said that this route sounds really good. Mayor Dillon reminded early voting March 23 and March 30.
12. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Roberts and seconded by Alderman Meismer. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p,m,
Carole Stephens City Clerk
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