Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
February 4, 2010
Here is a summary of Monday’s City Council meeting agenda items. The items are listed in the order as they appeared in the agenda. Click here to see the full texts of the resolutions, ordinances, and staff reports. As a reminder, resolutions, motions, and special event permits only need to be approved once to become official. Ordinances are required to be approved in two readings (over two meetings) before they become official.
Here are the items that were approved by the City Council:
Resolution to declare 122 Carbon Hill Road as surplus property: The City owns numerous pieces of property. If we want to sell any public property, then we must go through a formal process to declare it “surplus property.” This resolution officially declares 122 Carbon Hill Road to be surplus, and allows the City to sell it. The City took ownership of the vacant property through condemnation and the house was demolished.
Resolution to declare 209 Hartman Lane as surplus property: This is another City-owned property that is “surplus.” The City purchased the property after a protracted lawsuit with the previous owner over a disputed re-zoning application.
Resolution to purchase 102 East State Street: This property was previously a Clark Station, but has been abandoned for several years. The City paid to demolish the fuel island and cashier building and placed a $15,000 lien on the property. St. Clair County eventually took ownership of the property due to the property owner’s failure to pay property taxes. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has tested the site and received federal stimulus money to clean any contamination as long as the City owns the property. The county has agreed to sell the property to the City for $1,030 and the IEPA will clean up the site at no cost to the City.
Resolution to approve an IDOT Local Agency Agreement for the Porter/Simmons Roundabout: The City has been approved for a state grant to construct a roundabout at the Porter Road/Simmons Road intersection. The Local Agency Agreement is a bureaucratic step with the state for the City Council to accept the grant and support the construction of the roundabout.
Resolution for Executive Session minutes to remain closed: The City is required by state law to review Executive Session minutes every six months to determine whether any of them can be released as public information. There were no minutes in this review that can be released. The City Council can go into Executive Session for the following matters: Litigation; Purchase, Lease or Sale of Real Estate; Employment/appointment matters; Business matters or Security/criminal matters
Ordinance creating a Freedom of Information Officer and complying with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act: Last year, the state legislature approved substantial changes to the Freedom of Information Act. One of the new requirements is for the City to designate an official “Freedom of Information Officer,” which will be our Deputy City Clerk.
Motion to reconsider the variance request for 302 East Jefferson: At their January 19 meeting, the City Council voted to overturn the Zoning Hearing Officer’s decision to deny the variance request for a gravel driveway. Since that meeting, several aldermen looked into the issue and requested to reconsider the issue. As a matter of parliamentary procedure, only an alderman who voted with the majority can move to reconsider a decision. That requirement was satisfied, and the City Council reversed its previous vote and affirmed the Zoning Hearing Officer’s decision. The applicant must now pave the driveway.
Motion to purchase water meters: The Public Works Department regularly buys water meters in bulk for its operations. The total cost is $93,292.
ON HOLD Ordinance establishing the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program: Following first reading approval on December 7, the Community Development Committee deliberated the ordinance at their December 14 meeting. Several landlords were present with questions and concerns, and the committee decided to hold the ordinance in committee for one month so staff could address landlord concerns. A special Community Development Committee meeting was held January 26 to review the proposed ordinance. A second Special Community Development Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9, at 5:30 p.m.
ON HOLD Tax Increment Financing Ordinances: Five Second Reading ordinances dealing with the proposed Regency Park Tax Increment Financing District are on hold for legal review.
Now you’re up to date. Next Monday’s committee meetings will be Parks and Environment at 5:30 p.m., Community Development at 6:00 p.m., and Public Works at 7:00 p.m.
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