Welcome to West Peoria

OFFICIAL MINUTES

OF THE WEST PEORIA CITY COUNCIL

DECEMBER 13, 2011, 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 13, 2011.

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

Mayor Dillon, Alderman Dohm, Alderman Dwyer, Alderman Meismer, Alderman O’Neill,

Alderman Reagan, Alderwoman Thomas, Alderman Venzon.

Present: City Administrator John Carlson, City Attorney Connor, Economic Development

Coordinator Pratt, City Clerk Stephens, Deputy Middlemas, Deputy Vissering, Jerry Bennett-

Barker, Nancy Carson and John F. Siewert Jr.

Absent: Alderman Ganson.

4. DELETED ITEM

None

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to approve the minutes from the November 22, 2011, City Council Meeting was made

Alderman Reagan and seconded by Alderman Dwyer.

No Corrections.

ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 7 Reagan, Dwyer, Dohm, Meismer, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon

Nays – 0

Absent – 1 Alderman Ganson Motion Carried

6. COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT

Officer Middlemas reported: December 3, 2011, in the overnight hours a vehicle was stolen in the

1900 block of W. Barker Avenue. A non-resident had car trouble, left the car parked overnight

with the keys left in the ignition. The car was recovered.

December 5, 2011, in the overnight hours an attempted robbery in the 2800 Block of West

Farmington Road. Windows were smashed to gain entry; nothing was taken, but appears that they

tried to break into the ATM machine.

Officer Middlemas told the council he pulled up the numbers for the year through November. It

looks like the crime stats are well below what they were in 2010. The City got hit hard with the

high profile crimes towards the end of this year. He said that serving West Peoria is most the

rewarding thing he has done in his professional career.

Officer Middlemas introduced Deputy Joe Vissering as the officer who will replace him in

January 2012.

Deputy Vissering told the Council he that he is very happy to serve the City of West Peoria and

getting to know everyone. He said he had served Chillicothe for three years and enjoyed working

for them.

7. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Dillon thanked Officer Middlemas for his service to West Peoria. Mayor Dillon invited all

the aldermen to attend the Heart of Illinois Mayors Association December Meeting held at Sky

Harbor on Wednesday, December 14th. He also invited the aldermen to the Christmas luncheon at

City Hall on December 16th at 12:00 p.m.

He said at the last City Council Meeting there was a discussion about putting out a flyer on

awareness. Mayor Dillon talked to Mark Wrhel about putting the flyer in with the bag of groceries,

Mark agreed. They will be distributed starting December 16, 2011.

8. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

9. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO AUDITOR ERIC JONES FOR FY2011 AUDIT AND

PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ENDING ON APRIL 30, 2011 IN THE

AMOUNT OF $23,822.50 (LINE ITEM 15-11-531) was made by Alderman Meismer and

seconded by Alderman O’Neill.

Discussion: None.

ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 7 Meismer, O’Neill, Dohm, Dwyer, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon.

Nays – 0

Absent – 1 Alderman Ganson Motion Carried

10. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO AUDITOR ERIC JONES FOR FY 2011 T.I.F. AUDIT

FOR COSTS INCURRED INCIDENTAL TO THE IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE CITY OF

WEST PEORIA T.I.F. DISTRICT I FUND REDEVELOPMENT PLAN IN THE AMOUNT OF

$2,805.00. (LINE ITEM 15-00-500) was made by Alderman Meismer and seconded by Alderman

O’Neill.

Discussion: None.

ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 7 Meismer, O’Neill, Dohm, Dwyer, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon.

Nays – 0

Absent – 1 Alderman Ganson Motion Carried

11. MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2011-48 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR

ALL CORPORATE PURPOSES FOR THE CITY OF WEST PEORIA, PEORIA COUNTY,

ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2011 AND ENDING APRIL 30,

2012 was made by Alderman Meismer and seconded by Alderman O’Neill.

Discussion: None.

ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes 7 – Meismer, O’Neill, Dohm, Dwyer, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon.

Nays – 0

Absent – 1 Alderman Ganson Motion Carried.

12. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO IML INSURANCE FOR 2012 ANNUAL

CONTRIBUTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,969.00 (LINE ITEM 01-11-592) was made by

Alderman Meismer and seconded by Alderman O’Neill

Discussion: City Administrator Carlson told the Council this is for all the City’s insurance with

the exception of health of insurance. There was a significant increase of about $4,000, as did other

municipalities. He said he did receive another quote, but they couldn’t touch IML. He said the

IML is the best offer.

ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 7 Meismer, O’Neill, Dohm, Dwyer, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon.

Nays – 0

Absent 1 Alderman Ganson Motion Carried

13. MOTION TO APPROVE THE T.I.F.PAYMENT TO GEORGE W. DUNCAN FOR UPDATING

ELECTRIC SIGN IN THE AMOUNT OF $694.93. (LINE ITEM15-00-503) COMMERCIAL

RENOVATION PROGRAM was made by Alderman Meismer and seconded by Alderman

O’Neill.

Discussion: None.

ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 7 Meismer, O’Neill, Dohm, Dwyer, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon.

Nays – 0

Absent – 1 Alderman Ganson Motion Carried

14. OTHER BUSINESS

None

15. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair Meismer – The Finance Committee met on December 6, 2011. Reviewed the financial

report, went over Auditor Eric Jones billing statements, the Tax Levy, IML Insurance and the

TIF payment to George W. Duncan which was all passed at tonight’s City Council meeting.

The committee discussed their goals and reviewed the bills. Their next meeting will be January

3, 2012, 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. Their

next meeting will be January 18, 2012, at 6:30 at City Hall.

C. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Chair Dwyer – The Public Safety Committee has not met since the last City Council Meeting.

Their 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 December 8, 2011, and went over their

normal housekeeping. The committee discussed signage in some yards. Alderman said the City

Engineer gave a report on Sterling Avenue. The City is on target for bid letting of spring 2014.

Also while this is happening IDOT will be working at the intersection of Farmington Road and

Sterling Avenue and Creek Road and Farmington Road. The Transportation Committee will try

to coordinator with IDOT, this will be a massive disruption for Farmington Road. Alderman

Venzon told the council that they will try to close Farmington

Road Hill and advised the council they will be kept informed.

He also informed the council the Transportation Committee is still working on the Waverly/

Callender storm sewer.

Chair Venzon reported that Henry Strube has completed all the asphalt work. The tree removal is

completed and he is ready for winter. He also stated the home owners are responsible for their alley

from center of the alley to your side of the alley and if your side of the alley is not cleaned up you

could receive a warning or be ticketed. Their next meeting will be January 12, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at

City Hall.

Discussion: Alderman Dwyer asked if there has been any discussion on detours while Farmington

Road and Sterling Hill are being worked on?

Alderman Venzon: The Transportation Committee is in the very early stage of talking with the Fire

Department, Ambulance, City Link, etc. There are many people to contact. As soon as we get the

detour routes we will get the word out.

16. PUBLIC COMMENT

City Administrator said if any of the aldermen did not want their blue bound copy of the Tax Levy

to give them to the City Clerk.

Resident John Siewert II asked about the crime in West Peoria during the holiday season.

Officer Middlemas said that it stays about the same.

Resident John F. Siewert II asked what the time line is for the awareness flyers at Haddad’s.

Mayor Dillon said that he talked to Mark and with this being the first week of Haddad’s Grand

Opening he asked him to work into the schedule. The awareness flyer will be put in every bag

of groceries starting the week of December 16, 2011.

17. MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderman Meismer made the motion at 7:19 p.m. to go into Executive Session and Alderman

Reagan seconded.

ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 7 Meismer, Reagan, Dohm, Dwyer, O’Neill, Thomas, Venzon

Nays – 0

Absent – 1 Alderman Ganson Motion Carried.

18. RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION

Regular Session was called back to order at 7: 24 p.m.

19. ROLL CALL

Mayor Dillon, Alderman Dohm, Alderman Dwyer, Alderman Meismer, Alderman O’Neill,

Alderwoman Thomas, Alderman Venzon

Absent: Alderman Ganson

20. ACTION ARISING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION;

a. A motion to reappoint Jerry Bennett Barker to Zoning Board of Appeals for a five year term

was made by Alderman Dohm and seconded by Alderman Dwyer.

Discussion: None.

ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes – 7 Dohm, Dwyer, Meismer, O’Neill, Reagan, Thomas, Venzon.

Nays – 0

Absent – 1 Alderman Ganson Motion Carried

b. A motion to reappoint Nancy Carson to the Plan Commission for a five year term was made by

Alderman Reagan and seconded by Alderman Venzon.

Discussion: None.

ROLL CALL VOTE – Ayes 7 Reagan, Venzon, Dohm, Dwyer, Meismer, O’Neill, Thomas

Nays – 0

Absent – 1 Alderman Ganson Motion Carried

21. ADJOURNMENT

Motion adjourn this meeting was made by Alderman Dwyer and seconded by Alderman Meismer.

Motion carried unanimously by voice. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

Carole Stephens

West Peoria City Clerk