O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
May 17, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Mayor Gary Graham who then led “The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.”
Phil Goodwin, City Clerk, called the roll: David Horton, present; Nila Grogan, present; Ed True, present; Becky Henry, present; Rick Reckamp, present; Jerry Mouser, present; Tom Bequette, excused; Allen Medford, present; Michael Bennett, present; Dennis Renner, present; Jason Boone, present; Ned Drolet, present; John West, present; Jerry Albrecht, present. A quorum was declared present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to approve the minutes of the May 3rd meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
RESIDENTS: None.
REPORTS
Clerk: None.
Mayor’s Report
The Mayor introduced Boy Scouts' Zachary Bennett, Ben Bennett and Jason Vaughn who are working on merit badges for Citizenship and Community Service.
The Mayor presented a plaque to Dave Little for his years of service with the Fire Department. He commended him on his many years of dedication and commitment to the City. Dave Little stated it has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the City, and he knows that the City will continue to support the Fire Department in the future.
Dave Little announced the newly elected officers for the Fire Department: Brent Saunders, Chief; Jerry Brewer, Deputy Chief; and Craig Schmidt, Asst. Chief.
Motion was made by D. Horton and seconded by J. Albrecht to officially accept the Fire Department officers. All ayes. Motion carried.
The Mayor presented Certificates of Appreciation to the Historical Society. Brian Keller stated that O’Fallon is celebrating its 150th anniversary and that O’Fallon is one of the few towns that date their founding on auctions. He invited all citizens to attend the Sesquicentennial and visit the Historical Society Museum.
The Mayor presented Certificates of Appreciation to the Ball Committee. The Ball Committee members include Connie & Everett King, Becky Henry, and Harriet Baker, who have raised $14,000.
The Mayor stated he spent the day with the 3rd Grade at Moye School. He enjoyed a lunch in the park, game of tag, and a trip to Gators, which was an auction item. The auction item raised $1,400 to support the school’s PTO.
M. Bennett raised discussion regarding the medical crisis in St. Clair County. He stated two more physicians have decided to leave O’Fallon Family Medicine, doctors Fred Wallisch and Bob Farmer. M. Bennett stated that the lack of health care facilities in the area is a huge problem in regards to BRAC. The Mayor reminded everyone that trauma care is no longer available in St. Clair County. He asked the citizens to put pressure on the State legislators by writing letters to pass the tort reform. B. Henry stated that there is information regarding this at the O’Fallon Chamber website.
R. Reckamp stated that the medical crisis is serious but feels the cause and effect process between the tort process and the tort reform has been clearly stated. He agrees something needs to be done to remedy this problem, but stated that everyone is not in agreement regarding the cause and effect. Discussion was made regarding the court system and insurance premiums. D. Horton stated there are currently only three general surgeons in St. Clair County, and his surgeon said that his insurance premium has quadrupled this past year. The Mayor stated that O’Fallon was the first city in the area to pass a Resolution on tort reform, which has been copied by many other cities since.
RESOLUTIONS
ITEM 1 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Burns & McDonnell for Professional Services for the Vehicle Overpass Study in the amount not to exceed $30,400.
ITEM 2 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Reese Construction for the CY04 Overlay Program in the Amount of $1,532,298.44.
ITEM 3 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Hoelscher
Engineering for Professional Engineering Services for LOMR Project Engle Creek, in an amount not to exceed $8,700.
ITEM 4 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Henry, Meisenheimer & Gende, Inc. (HMG) for Professional Engineering Services Regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant Lagoon Cleaning.
ITEM 5 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with TWM for Professional Engineering Services for the Pausch Road's Ogles Creek Crossing, in an amount not to exceed $14,477.
ITEM 6 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Annexation Agreement with the Estate of Lester Schumacher.
ITEM 7 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Egyptian Business Furniture for the Purpose of Purchasing Office Furniture through the U.S.
Communities Government Purchasing Alliance for the Public Safety Facility in an
amount not to exceed $200,000
ITEM 8 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Secom
Communications Inc. for the Purchase and Installation of Dispatch Console
Furniture for the Public Safety Facility in an Amount not to Exceed $70,011.
ITEM 9 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Warner
Communications Corporation for the Purchase and Installation of Radio Transmitter Equipment for the Public Safety Facility in an amount not to exceed $86,469.16.
ITEM 10 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Wireless USA for the Purchase and Installation of Radio Console Equipment for the Public Safety Facility in an amount not to exceed $93,317.
ITEM 11- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Hursey Telecom, Inc. for the Relocation and Expansion of the Police Department Telephone System at the New Public Safety Facility in an amount not to exceed $9,563.26.
ITEM 12 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with the Air Vacuum Corporation, Covering the Installation of Airvac 911 Systems in O'Fallon, Illinois Fire Stations.
ITEM 13 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Funding Agreement from Metroeast Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) for $100,000 for Land Acquisition.
ITEM 14 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Parsons Water & Infrastructure Inc. for the Master Development Plan and 15% Concept Design Documents for the Family Sports Complex in an amount not to exceed $175,000.
A motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by D. Renner to consider the omnibus agreement for Resolution Items 2 - 14. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; D. Renner, aye; D. Horton, aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by N. Grogan to pass Resolution Items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, & 14 under the omnibus agreement. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; D. Renner, aye; D. Horton, aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
R. Reckamp stated he preferred that a map was included in Item 5.
E. True stated Item #9 should read $83,000.
ITEM 1 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Burns & McDonnell for Professional Services for the Vehicle Overpass Study in the amount not to exceed $30,400.
M. Bennett stated he agrees with the staff recommendation to deny this. The Mayor stated that the estimated cost of an overpass at Venita Drive/Frontage Road is 4.6 million dollars and the Obernuefermann/Green Mount location costs may be more expensive. N. Drolet stated he feels strongly about this issue. He officially submitted an informative data sheet, which is included below:
Items to consider for a Green Mount (Schwaegel/Obernuefemann Rd.) overpass over State Street and the railroad tracks VERSUS Venita Drive:
1. Existing Hwy 50/Green Mount traffic signal can be used to control Green Mount traffic and could preclude the need for a traffic signal at Schwaegel and State Street.
2. Hwy 50 fire station will have quicker access to northwest quadrant of O’Fallon. Also, EMS ambulance will have more direct access to Frank Scott Parkway.
3. Will decrease congestion and will avoid the need for a traffic signal in the foreseeable future, at the left turn lane off Hwy 50 onto State Street.
4. Will eliminate a highly hazardous intersection that meets warrants for a traffic signal due to the substantial increase in traffic and accidents.
5. Green Mount traffic will continue to increase faster than Venita Drive traffic due to: A.) Green Mount interchange development. B.) Easier accessibility to SWIC and Exit 16.
6. Will make access to the new Sports Complex, for visitors coming east on I-64, much more convenient than a Venita Drive overpass.
7. Will eliminate an at-grade crossing that is blocked for long periods by trains more frequently than at Venita Drive. Also, it may be possible that the at-grade Venita Drive crossing could also be eliminated.
8. There is more “space” to build an overpass at Green Mount than is available at Venita Drive, and it will be less complicated: A.) Due to the purchase of the property for the Sports Complex, O’Fallon will already own some of the ground that may be needed on the north side of the train tracks. B.) A large Illinois Power substation is located off Venita Drive. As a result, there are high voltage electrical lines on both sides of Venita Drive, which may interfere with the construction of an overpass. Also, the lack of high voltage lines on Green Mount makes it much more visually attractive than Venita Drive. C.)) The I-64 frontage road greatly complicates an overpass at Venita Drive.
9. Should the at-grade Venita Drive crossing remain, a traffic signal already exists at Hwy 50 and Venita Drive for those who wish to use Venita Drive to and from Simmons Road.
10. Could help reduce congestion at Exit 14 (I-64)/Hwy 50) interchange.
N. Drolet feels if the City is spending 4.6 million dollars, that it is imperative to place this overpass at the correct location. The cost of the study would be a small price to pay to get the assurance that the right location has been chosen. M. Bennett explained that he would not have a problem with the study, if it would look at the entire length of State Street to determine the best location. Currently the study is only looking at two locations. D. Horton feels Venita Drive is not the best location to serve the community. Discussion was made regarding the Illini extension, which would cut into the yards of many homes and Hesse Park. Discussion was made regarding where the majority of new homes are being constructed, which is off of Milburn School Road. The Mayor stated the City is applying for
the money from the Federal government, and they have time to look into this.
R. Reckamp stated Venita Drive is very congested and is probably not the best place compared to the Oberneufemann location, as that is an arterial road which runs from the south of Belleville all the way to Collinsville and is the future growth site for the City. The Mayor reminded the members of the Council that a study was done a few years ago which recommended Venita Drive because of the cost. He feels that needs to be reviewed.
A motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. West to pass Resolution Item #1. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, no; R. Reckamp, no; J. Mouser, aye; D. Renner, no; D. Horton, no; A. Medford, no; M. Bennett, no; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; N. Grogan, no. 6 – ayes, 7 Nos. Motion denied.
M. Bennett left at 7:35 p.m.
ORDINANCES
1st Reading
ITEM 15 - Ord. Annexing Certain Territory, Ponder-Witt-Nance Annexation containing
approximately 13.79 acres.
ITEM 16 - Ord. Annexing Certain Territory, Schumacher Annexation containing
approximately 4.25 acres.
ITEM 17- Ord. Approving the Final Plat Central Park Plaza 3rd Addition, 1st Amendment.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by N. Grogan to consider The Omnibus Agreement for 1st Reading Items 15, 16, & 17. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True pass Item 15, 16 & 17 on 1st Reading under the omnibus agreement.
R. Reckamp raised question with Item #17 regarding the amount of access points, as they had requested four. They were given approval for two access points.
ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; D. Renner, aye; D. Horton, aye; B. Henry, aye; A. Medford, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
2nd Readings
ITEM 18 - Ord. Amending Title XV, Chapter 151, Ord. 3178, Historic Preservation
Ordinance.
ITEM 19 - Ord. Authorizing the City of O’Fallon to Purchase Real Estate from
Thomas Schmidt and Carolyn Chanel.
ITEM 20 - Ord. Implementing the Provisions of the State Officials and Employee Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430/1-1 Et Seq) in the City of O’Fallon.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by N. Grogan to consider the omnibus agreement for Items 18, 19, 20. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. West approve 18, 19, & 20 under 2nd reading under the omnibus agreement. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; D. Renner, aye; D. Horton, aye; A. Medford, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Community Development: J Mouser stated their last meeting was May 4th and copy of the minutes are included in the packet. A motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by D. Renner to approve the Special Event request from Southpaws to hold a Patio Kick-Off party on May 22 in their rear parking lot. All ayes. Motion carried. The next meeting is May 18th at 6:30 p.m. D. Horton asked to add an item to that meetings' agenda, which are complaints from his constituents, regarding mosquitoes and another regarding the code enforcement. J. Mouser stated they could consider them as discussion items, as it is an open meeting.
Public Works: A. Medford stated they met on May 6th and the action item from that meeting has been taken care of. The next meeting is cancelled.
Safety: E. True stated they met on May 14th with Items 7 – 12, which were passed tonight. He stated they discussed the issue of roadblocks, and decided since there were only two requests last year the committee took no action. The Mayor asked A. Medford to join the Safety Committee to replace another Alderman who is unable to attend due to another commitment. All were in favor. The next meeting is scheduled June 9th at 6:30 p.m.
Personnel/Finance: J. West stated the minutes of the May 6th meeting are in the packet. He stated members met to discuss Warrant #64, which would be done in two-parts. A motion was made by J. West and seconded by A. Medford to pay Gifts For Individuals the amount of $292. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; D. Renner, aye; B. Henry aye; A. Medford, aye; D. Horton, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, abstain; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by J. West and seconded by R. Reckamp to approve Warrant #64 in the amount of $367,369,017. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; D. Renner, aye; B. Henry aye; A. Medford, aye; D. Horton, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried
The May 20th meeting is cancelled. Next meeting is June 10th at 5:30 p.m.
Parks/Environment: J. Albrecht stated they met May 10th with Items #13 and #14, which was passed tonight. Next meeting is June 14th 7:00 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: D. Renner commented about St. Ellen Park. He stated there are many people using the park, and he has been giving kids fishing poles to use. He asked the citizens to donate old fishing poles or tackle boxes. He stated Eric Hubbard of the Police Department will repair them if necessary, and these can be dropped off either at The Pro-Am Shop at 118 W. State or brought to City Hall and given to Phil Goodwin.
Discussion was made regarding the enforcement of codes and the effects on schools.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Discuss purchase of land acquisition, union negotiations,
and pending litigation.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. Albrecht to go into Executive Session.
ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye: R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; D. Renner, aye; A. Medford, aye; D. Horton, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried. Council went into Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. Executive Session ended at 7:50 p.m.
ACTION TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION:
No action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. West to adjourn. All ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted by,
Philip A. Goodwin, City Clerk
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