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City Council Minutes
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OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE WEST PEORIA CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 22, 2011, 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 November 22, 2011.
1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Dillon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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 Meismer, Alderman O’Neill, Alderman Reagan, Alderwoman Thomas, Alderman Venzon. Also present: City Attorney Connor, City Treasurer Main, Economic Development Coordinator Pratt, City Clerk Stephens, Officer Middlemas, Rolland Reinhart, John F. Siewert II, Blake Clark, Bernie Nordstrom, Jim Dillon, Mike Swearingen, Tim McQuellon, Mike Powers. Absent: City Administrator Carlson.
4. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA None
5. MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMER 8, 2011, CITY COUNCIL MEETING was made by Alderman Reagan and seconded by Alderwoman Thomas. Discussion: No Corrections ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Reagan, Thomas, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, O’Neill, Venzon. Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried.
6. COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT Officer Middlemas reported: November 17, 2011 a home invasion in the 2100 block of Callender Taken was a TV gaming system, lap top computer and various items. Zero cooperation from the victims. There are no suspects. November 18, 2011, there were two daytime burglaries: one in the 2000 block of Sherman a snow blower taken from an unlocked garage and in the 2000 block of Ayres entry was gained by breaking the back door window. A TV, gaming system, DVD’s, jewelry, leather coat along with various other items. There are no suspects at this time.
7. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Dillon said the broadcast of this meeting will be aired at a later date due to difficulties at the TV station. He also emphasized the importance of calling the County Police. If you see anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to call the County Police. There have been a lot of activities with cars being left unlocked with laptops, telephones, etc. in plain sight. He also emphasized to lock your doors at all times: home, vehicles, garage. Mayor Dillon said the Grand Opening of Haddad’s Market is November 29, at 8:00 a.m.
8. TREASURER’S REPORT City Treasurer Jennifer Main distributed the October 2011 Treasurer’s Report. Alderman Meismer made the motion to Receive and File this Report. Alderman Dwyer seconded this motion. ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Meismer, Dwyer, Dohm, Ganson, O’Neill, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
9. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment
10. MOTION TO APPROVE ANNUAL STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS was made by Alderman Dwyer and seconded by Alderman Meismer. Discussion: Alderman Dwyer commented that a $70,000 deficit was projected last fiscal year and that the City came in under budget by almost $80,000. Alderman Dwyer said this happened under the current fiscal environment and thanked the Finance Committee and City Staff. Mayor Dillon agreed with Alderman Dwyer and said last year the State was behind with their payment to the City. This year they are caught up. After talking with City Administrator Carlson and Auditor Eric Jones the sales tax did not fall of as bad as it was projected. ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Dwyer, Meismer, Dohm, Ganson, O’Neill, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
11. MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMOUNT OF $132,500 AS THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL TAX LEVY was made by Alderman Meismer and seconded by Alderman Dwyer. No Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Meismer, Dwyer, Dohm, Ganson, O’Neill, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
12. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO HERMANN & ASSOCIATES FOR INVOICE #1128 PROJECT 01.018.11 WP IEMA APPLICATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $160.00. ENGINEERING SERVICES (LINE ITEM 01-41-532) was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson. No Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dwyer, Dohm, Meismer, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
13. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO HERMANN & ASSOCIATES FOR INVOICE #1246 PROJECT 01.020.11 CALLENDER & WAVERLY DRAINAGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,505.00. ENGINEERING SERVICES (LINE ITEM 01-41-532) was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded Alderman Ganson. No Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Meismer, O’Neill, Reagan, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
14. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO CORDOVA CONSTRUCTION FOR INVOICE #38 FOR COMBINATION CURB AND SIDEWALK AND REPLACEMENT FOR THE SOUTH SIDE OF KENWOOD AVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $112,215.75. (LINE ITEM 10-00-880) CURBS, GUTTERS, SIDEWALKS was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson. No Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 7 Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Meismer, O’Neill, Reagan, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Abstain – 1 Alderman Reagan Motion Carried
15. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO CORDOVA CONSTRUCTION FOR INVOICE #39 FOR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF STORM INLET DRYWELL INLET FOR THE SOUTH SIDE OF KENWOOD AVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,500. (LINE ITEM 10-00-880) was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Ganson No Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes 7 – Venzon, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Meismer, O’Neill, Reagan, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Abstain – 1 Alderman Reagan Motion Carried
16. MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUBDIVISION PLAT REGARDING 1325 N. RABER ROAD was made by Alderman Dohm and seconded by Alderman Reagan. Discussion: Economic Development Coordinator Pratt told the City Council the property is a recent annexation piece of property. There is a building that is currently partly on this piece of property and partly on the adjacent property. This subdivision takes it out of this property and will facilitate the sale of this property. It is currently straddling two pieces of property that can be sold. ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Dohm, Reagan, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
17. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2011-05 A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC REFERENDUM ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THE CITY OF WEST PEORIA PROPOSED AGGREGATION OF RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL COMMERCIAL RETAIL ELECTRIC LOADS SHALL OPERATE AS AN OPT OUT PROGRAM was made by Alderman Meismer and seconded by Alderman Dwyer. Discussion: Alderman Meismer explained this is the first step into getting this on to the referendum next spring for West Peoria to join the Municipal Aggregation Program. This also states there is an Opt Out Program so that no one has to become a part of this. For the most part the average home owner should realize a savings of $100 to $150 per year by getting into this program. The consultant will be working on the City’s behalf and is also representing eight or nine other municipalities in the area. The more households they represent the better pricing they will be able to negotiate when this becomes a fact, about a year from now. It will have to be after the referendum. Actually the negotiation will take place after the referendum. The City has to do this step by step to insure all the “t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted” to make sure we are a part of this program. This is a good program for all the residents of West Peoria. Alderman Dohm: When does the consultant take over some of the expenses or will it be the City’s expense. Alderman Meismer: No, not at all. It is my understanding the consultant get their monies with the companies they will be dealing with. The City will essentially be free from cost. The consultant will do the marketing campaign every before the referendum. This is our understanding. Alderman Dohm: If this fails does the consultant have any recoup? Economic Development Coordinator Pratt: No cost to the City. As of now there are thirty municipalities signed up in the Central Illinois area. ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Meismer, Dwyer, Dohm, Ganson, O’Neill, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried
18. MOTION TO APPROVE CANCELLATION OF THE DECEMBER 27, 2011 CITY COUNCIL MEETING was made by Alderwoman Thomas and seconded by Alderman Dwyer. No Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 8 Thomas, Dwyer, Dohm, Ganson, Meismer, O’Neill, Reagan, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried.
19. OTHER BUSINESS – DISCUSSION ONLY None.
20. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. FINANCE COMMITTEE Chair Meismer – The Finance Committee has not met since the last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting will be December 6, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. B. LAND USE COMMITTEE Chair Dohm – The Land Use Committee met November 16th and went over the normal housekeeping. The City legal has won two property cases that went to court and there is another case pending. The Land Use Committee has cancelled their December 2011 meeting, unless something comes up. Our next meeting will be January 18, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. C. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Chair Dwyer – The Public Safety Committee met November 16th and went over the normal housekeeping. The City has won both property cases and another one is going to court on December 8, 2011. The Public Safety Committee December meeting has been cancelled unless something comes up. Our next meeting will be January 18, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. D. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Chair Venzon – The Transportation Committee met on November 10th and went over our normal housekeeping. The Committee was update on Sterling Hill and the project on Waverly and Callender by the City Engineer. The committee reviewed the bills that were approved for payment at tonight’s meeting. Alderman Venzon told the Council that Street Department Henry Strube is ready for winter. We discussed the sidewalk project on Kenwood Avenue which will be picked up this spring when the weather breaks. Our next meeting will be December 8, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
21. PUBLIC COMMENT Mike Swearingen, resident of West Peoria since 1971 expressed his concern about the City of West Peoria. He stated in the last three months there have been three serious attacks involving our residents. The City of West Peoria was and is a great place to live, but needs a better way of communication with the residents. This is one of my concerns. Mayor Dillon agreed and said the City needs to stress to the citizens the need to call the County Police immediately if they see anything out of the ordinary. The Neighborhood Watch has really grown and is trying to make all the citizens to be aware of their surroundings at all times. The residents need to be concerned enough to make a phone call when anything looks out of the ordinary. Mike Swearingen asked about a bulletin to all the residents, but not to panic anyone, only to make them aware of what is going on. Mayor Dillon said we do not want to scare the residents. I believe most of the residents know what is going on in West Peoria. The County has been using different avenues to try to deter what is happening in West Peoria. West Peoria has never had the problems like we have today. The most recent incident we had would have never happened if drugs weren’t involved. Alderman Reagan asked if anyone has complained about the number of junk dealers that go up and down the alleys. He said the residents need to be more diligent again where neighbors watch out for neighbors. Alderman Dwyer told the City Council that one of the incidents was his brother-in-law. We as a City need to have a lot more awareness area wide. The trend is upward in violent assaults. Officer Middlemas said that crime is dropping, but that violent assaults are on the rise, especially in residential burglaries in West Peoria. Alderman Dohm asked if the County maps crime areas. Officer Middlemas answered they do and this is open for everyone, Alderman Dohm asked if the County zeros in on certain areas. Officer Middlemas said to call 672-6011, and offered to give everyone his card with his phone number. Maggie Moore has some things on the internet – Crime Mapping, for the City of Peoria or Peoria County crimes that are committed are on the website within 24 hours. Alderman O’Neill asked is this the City of Peoria website? Alderman Dwyer he would like to see more proactive Block Captains. Officer Middlemas told the Council nothing is too small to call the County. A stranger walking in your neighborhood, get the license plate numbers of strange cars parked in the area. Anything out of the ordinary. Alderman Venzon gave the County Officers a compliment on their quick response to a call he made to the County. Resident John F. Siewert suggested the City ask Mark Wrhel of Haddad’s to post awareness signs in the store with non-emergency and emergency telephone numbers. Mayor Dillon suggested of putting put this notice of awareness in the bags when paying for the groceries. This will be helpful to the neighborhood.
22. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn this meeting was made by Alderman Dwyer and seconded by Alderman Reagan. Motion unanimously by voice. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
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Carole Stephens – City Clerk
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