O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
April 16, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Gary Graham, who then led “The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.”
Philip Goodwin called the roll: Nila Grogan, present; Mary Schmidt, present; Ed True, present; D. Polites, present; Rick Reckamp, present; Jerry Mouser, present; Phil Gardner, present; Allen Medford, present; Michael Bennett, present (arrived late); Dennis Renner, present; Jason Boone, present (arrived at 7:04); Ned Drolet, present; John West, present; Jerry Albrecht, present. A quorum was declared present.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2007, meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Fiscal Year 2007/2008 Municipal Budget. Opened to the public at 7:05 p.m. Mayor Graham called three times for public input, but no one responded. The public hearing was closed at 7:05 p.m.
RESIDENTS: Mayor Graham invited any residents of O’Fallon who would like to speak to the Council to step to the microphone. Mr. Lee Yaeger thanked the O’Fallon Police Department for the hard work over the past seven years in solving the Amy Blumberg case.
Mr. Randy Burch asked to address the Council regarding a matter of the integrity of the City Council members. He accused City Council members of holding votes in secret meetings that are not captured in the City record, and he said the City is, therefore, in violation of several state and federal statutes on open meetings. Mayor~Graham said, since Mr. Burch is running for the office of alderman, he could not say anything of a political nature, including any remarks made against individual Council members who may also be running for office. Mr. Burch was asked to be seated.
REPORTS:
Clerk’s Report: City Clerk Phil Goodwin presented one request:
1. Request from Spencer Pet Rescue to conduct a roadblock on May 12, 2007, (alternate date May 26, 2007, if May 12 is unacceptable) at the corner of State and Lincoln from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
E.~True asked how the funds would be used. It was noted they run a pet shelter and rescue center in the City of O’Fallon, and it was assumed the funds would help provide those services.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by D. Renner to approve the request. All ayes except for two (N. Drolet and R. Reckamp). Motion carried.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Graham read a proclamation declaring April 21, 2007, as Eagle Scout Day in honor of Cody Meek and his recent accomplishment of becoming an Eagle Scout.
A proclamation was read by the Mayor declaring May 5, 2007, as March of Dimes WalkAmerica Day. Terri Polites was present representing the March of Dimes and invited everyone to participate in the Walk-a-Thon on May 5 at the main O’Fallon Park. She said all the funds raised would help the educational programs, premature babies, and families affected by prematurity in St. Clair County.
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring the month of May, 2007, as National Historic Preservation Month. Brian Keller of the Historical Society thanked Mayor Graham and everyone in the City who has worked to help preserve our City’s history.
This month’s Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors will be held in Mascoutah on April~26, 2007. Council members should call Jamie by Friday if you would like to attend.
The Mayor recommended the appointments of Phil Gardner and Dan Polites to the Parks and Environment Committee. Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by D. Renner to approve the appointments. All ayes. Motion carried.
RESOLUTIONS: None.
ORDINANCES:
1st Readings
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. West to consider the Omnibus Agreement for 1st Reading Ordinance Items 1-4. All ayes. Motion carried.
ITEM 1 – Ordinance Amending Chapter 78, No Parking, Regarding Moye School Road
ITEM 2 – Ordinance Approving the Final Plat of O’Fallon Professional Park, Lot 2
ITEM 3 – Ordinance Approving the Final Plat of the GCS Subdivision
ITEM 4 – Ordinance Amending Ordinance 623, Zoning, Walker Storage Units
R. Reckamp raised discussion regarding Item 2, stating the report says “the ditch underneath Lincoln…,” and he asked if there is a street in that area named Lincoln. Walter~Denton said it should read “Pierce” instead of “Lincoln.”
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by P.~Gardner to place on 1st Reading Ordinance Items~1-4.
ROLL CALL: M. Schmidt, aye; E.~True, aye; D.~Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; P.~Gardner, aye; A.~Medford, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D.~Renner, aye; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
2nd Readings
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by A. Medford to approve 2nd Reading Item~5.
ITEM 5 – Ordinance Amending Ordinance 623, Zoning, Lots 5 and 6 Shoppes at Green Mount (Amended)
M. Bennett asked if the second office building would be replacing the strip center. J.~Mouser said, “yes.”
A.~Medford said he did not particularly like the elevation being shown and asked if the vote being taken would include approval of that elevation. Mayor Graham said, “yes.”
ROLL CALL: E.~True, aye; D.~Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; P.~Gardner, aye; A.~Medford, nay; M.~Bennett, aye; D.~Renner, aye; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; M.~Schmidt, aye. Ayes~–~13; Nays – 1. Motion carried.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by N. Grogan to approve 2nd Reading Ordinance Item 6.
ITEM 6 – Ordinance Budgeting for Corporate Purposes for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2007, and ending April 30, 2008
M.~Bennett said he does not like the way the sewer averaging is being done and would continue to vote against the budget until that is fixed.
ROLL CALL: D.~Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; P.~Gardner, aye; A.~Medford, aye; M.~Bennett, nay; D.~Renner, nay; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; M.~Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye. Ayes~_~12~; Nays – 2. Motion carried.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to approve 2nd Reading Ordinance Item 7.
ITEM 7 – Ordinance Amending Chapter 77, Traffic Schedules, Schedule I, Speed Restrictions Regarding Regency Park and Old Vincennes Trail
ROLL CALL: R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; P.~Gardner, aye; A.~Medford, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D.~Renner, aye; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; M.~Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D.~Polites, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES:
Community Development: J. Mouser stated they met on April 9, and the minutes are in the packets.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by P. Gardner to consider the Omnibus Agreement for Community Development Items 1-5. All ayes. Motion carried.
ITEM 1 - Special Event Request from Jack Schmitt Off-Site Sale at Sam’s Club from June 14-16, 2007
ITEM 2 – Special Event Request from Walk FASTT for Autism to begin at First Baptist Church and end at Rock Springs Park on May 5, 2007, from 7:30~a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
ITEM 3 – Special Events Permit request from March of Dimes, “Walk of America” to be held at the City Park on May 5, 2007, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00~p.m.
ITEM 4 – Special Event Permit request from Chevy’s for the Cinco de Mayo event on May 5, 2007, from 12:00 noon to midnight
ITEM 5 – Special Event Permit request from LoneStar Steakhouse for the event to be held in their parking lot on April 26, 2007, from 6:00~p.m.~– 10 p.m.
D. Renner asked if Chevy’s would have outdoor music during Cinco de Mayo. He was told it would be the same setup as in past years. D. Renner said the City received a number of complaints last year because the music was too loud.
M. Bennett asked Chief Betten if he was aware of the LoneStar Steakhouse event, and Chief Betten said he was not aware of it. M.~Bennett asked that Chief Betten received all the details of this event.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by R. Reckamp to approve Community Development Items 1-5 under the previous Omnibus Agreement. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. West to move the variance on the wind turbine for Frieze Harley-Davidson to Community Development for further review. All ayes. Motion carried.
The next Community Development meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2007, at 6~p.m.
Public Works: A. Medford said the minutes from their last meeting are included in the packets.
Motion was made by A. Medford and seconded by M. Bennett to authorize L & W Contractors to grind the woody storm debris in an amount not to exceed $20,700.
ROLL CALL: J.~Mouser, aye; P.~Gardner, aye; A.~Medford, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D.~Renner, aye; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; M.~Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D.~Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by A. Medford and seconded by D. Polites to approve the purchase of a Chlorine Residual Analyzer for Durkin Equipment in the amount of $6,500.00.
ROLL CALL: P.~Gardner, aye; A.~Medford, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D.~Renner, aye; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; M.~Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D.~Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by A. Medford and seconded by E. True to approve the purchase of a second portable building for the WWTP in an amount not to exceed $4,715.00.
ROLL CALL: A.~Medford, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D.~Renner, aye; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; M.~Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D.~Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; P. Gardner, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
Their next meeting will be April 23, 2007, at 7 p.m.
Public Safety: E. True said they met on April 9, and the minutes are included in the packet. He stated most of the safety issues raised at Moye School have now been resolved, as well as those recently raised at Central School. They may still look at the traffic flow at Central School to ensure there are no safety issues in that regard. Their next meeting will be May 14, 2007.
Finance/Administration: J.~West stated they met before tonight’s meeting to discuss Warrant~134. Motion was made by J. West and seconded by R.~Reckamp to approve Warrant~134 in the amount of $849,366.23.
ROLL CALL: M.~Bennett, aye; D.~Renner, aye; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; M.~Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D.~Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; P.~Gardner, aye; A.~Medford, aye. All ayes. Motion carried. Their next meeting will be April 23, 2007, at 5:30~p.m., which is a half hour earlier than their normal time.
Parks/Environment: J. Albrecht stated they met on April 9, 2007, but did not have a quorum. Motion was made by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. West to approve the name of the O’Fallon Sport Park Playground Pavilion as the “Becky Henry Pavilion.”
N. Drolet said that although Becky Henry was a very nice lady who deserves a lot of recognition, he felt it was a little premature to name a pavilion in her honor. D.~Renner said that, with the tremendous dedication Becky Henry had toward children in this City, if we did not name the pavilion in her honor, it would be wrong.
ROLL CALL: D.~Renner, aye; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, nay; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; M.~Schmidt, nay; E. True, aye; D.~Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, nay; J. Mouser, aye; P.~Gardner, aye; A.~Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye. Ayes – 11; Nays~_~3. Motion carried.
D.~Renner requested Mrs. Henry’s family be invited to the dedication ceremony. The next Parks and Environment meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2007, at 5:00~p.m. at the new park pavilion.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 7:35 a motion was made by J. West and seconded by D.~Renner to go into Executive Session to discuss purchase of real estate.
ROLL CALL: M. Bennett, aye; D.~Renner, aye; J.~Boone, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; M.~Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D.~Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; P.~Gardner, aye; A.~Medford, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
At 7:52 p.m. City Council members returned from Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Graham encouraged everyone to vote tomorrow.
Motion was made by D. Renner and seconded by J. Albrecht to adjourn. All ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
__________________________
Philip A. Goodwin, City Clerk
Minutes taken by
Sharon L. Wisely, Transcriptionist
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