O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
April 21, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by City Clerk Philip Goodwin, who then led “The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.” Mayor Graham was not present.
Philip Goodwin, City Clerk, called the roll: Nila Grogan, present; Mary Schmidt, present; Ed True, present; Dan Polites, present; Rick Reckamp, present; Jerry Mouser, present; John~Drolet, present; Allen Medford, present; Michael Bennett, present; Dennis Renner, present; Steve Engler, excused; Ned Drolet, present; John West, present; Jerry Albrecht, present. A quorum was declared present.
P. Goodwin asked for a motion from the floor to appoint a Mayor Pro Tem. Motion was made by J. West and seconded by J. Albrecht to appoint Alderman Mouser as Mayor Pro Tem for the meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
J. Mouser stated that he voted no on the bike race event and asked to have the minutes amended to reflect the vote on page 7 of the minutes. Motion was made by D. Renner and seconded by E. True to approve the minutes of April 7, 2008, as amended. All ayes. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Pro Tem Mouser opened the hearing at 7:05 for the
consideration of the adoption of the Municipal budget for the Fiscal Year 2008/2009.
Mayor Pro Tem Mouser called three times for public input, but no one came forward.
The hearing was closed at 7:06 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Mouser called Dean Rich forward to present the Budget Ordinance. He reviewed the individual five funds and explained the breakdown with 49% of the revenue coming from sales tax, 17% from income tax, 9% from the utility tax, and the rest in food and beverage tax. We are working on a reduced budget this year, but it is balanced. He stated that in the month of December, it was the first time in ten years that we did not bring in more sales tax than in the previous year. He expects a 2% growth in sales tax this year. We are conducting the special census in May. The General Fund is in the black and it has been since 1999.
Some highlights are that the property tax rate is reduced .1077, which should show an actual dollar decrease in the property tax. The utility tax has gone down over the last couple of years because it is based in units – not dollars. He went over the major capital projects: streets, sidewalks, stormwater drainage, and in parks the pavilion at the community park will be overhauled, a skate park will be installed at Hesse Park, the office will be expanded at the Katy Cavins Community Center and the Ogles Creek Park will be started. He mentioned that the sewer rate increase is not in the budget because of water infiltration issues and system failures. The sewer plant is the big challenge.
M. Bennett asked for clarification on the qualifications for census workers. D. Rich answered that he prefers the minimum of a high school graduate, live within ten miles, and they must pass a test. The pay is $12.00 an hour.
RESIDENTS: No one came forward.
REPORTS: J. West introduced his guest, Emily Turk, who is a sophomore at OTHS and is in the job shadowing program in cooperation with the noon day Rotary. Emily is interested in politics.
Mayor Pro Tem Mouser also welcomed a boy scout who was in attendance.
Clerk’s Report: No Report.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Pro Tem Mouser read a proclamation declaring the month of May 2008 as National Historic Preservation Month.
He also read a Proclamation declaring April 25, 2008 as Arbor Day.
He announced that this month’s Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors will be held in Millstadt at the St. James Center on Thursday, April 24th. He asked that anyone interested in attending to contact Jamie to make reservations.
RESOLUTIONS:
Motion was made by E. True and seconded by J. Albrecht to approve Resolution Item 1, a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Execute Illinois Department of Transportation Resolutions to show Support for the Submission of Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program and Illinois Green Streets Program Grant Applications for Improvements to Exits 14 and 16 of I-64.
J. Drolet voiced his opposition again for the hiring of a design studio. He said the designs are nice, but 2.5 million dollars only covers half of the job, and we would have to cover the remaining amount. The grant only covers the off ramps. He does not see the value.
J. West asked Mary Jeanne Hutchison, the Parks and Recreation director, about the upkeep. She replied that we are not performing any maintenance now. She added that these are the gateways to our City. She said that IDOT has destroyed the wildflowers that were planted from a wildflower grant from the State. She plans to do most of the maintenance in-house. This is a long term project, and we plan to do it in steps.
M. Bennett said that we are applying for the grant but may not get all of the available money, and if we don’t apply we won’t get anything. D. Sullivan said that the funds come from the Federal Highway Administration and the program is very competitive. He affirmed J. West’s question for Exit 16 that the Village of Shiloh will be a co-sponsor.
N. Grogan agreed that we should apply. We need to attract new revenue, so our gateways need to be attractive. R. Reckamp agreed and added that our share of the money will come from MFT funds.
After D. Renner called for the question,Mayor Pro Tem called for the vote.
ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D. Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; A. Medford, aye; J.~Drolet, no; M.~Bennett, aye; D. Renner, aye; N.~Drolet, no; J. Albrecht, aye; J.~West, aye. Ayes- 11; Nays - 2. Motion carried.
Motion was made by E. True and seconded by R. Reckamp to approve Resolution Item 2, Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Lease for Real Estate located at 1305/1307 W. Hwy 50. All Ayes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCES:
1st Readings
Motion was made by E. True and seconded by A. Medford to place on 1st reading Ordinance Item 3 an Ordinance Amending Chapter 78, Parking Schedules, Regarding Limited Parking on West Fifth Street and Cherry Street.
E. True said that the owners say it is difficult for customers to park because the neighbors take up the parking spaces. The committee limited it to two hours.
R. Reckamp said that the other parties were not permitted to voice their side. Motion was made by R. Reckamp and seconded by D. Renner to move the Ordinance back to committee so the other side can voice their opinion.
ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; Schmidt, aye; E. True, no; D. Polites, no; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, no; A. Medford, no; J.~Drolet, no; M.~Bennett, no; D. Renner, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J. Albrecht, no; J.~West, aye. Ayes – 6; Nays - 7. Motion failed.
On the original motion: ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D. Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; A. Medford, aye; J.~Drolet, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D. Renner, no; N.~Drolet, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; J.~West, aye. Ayes 12; Nays - 1. Motion carried.
Motion was made by E. True and seconded by J. West to place on 1st reading, Ordinance Item 4, an Ordinance Amending Ordinance 667, Chapter 111, Section 111.04, Fees for Solicitor Permits from $25.00 to $50.00. J. Drolet inquired about the daily fee. J. Betten said that it will eliminate the daily permit. A. Medford asked if they are required to wear a license, and J. Betten assured him that they do.
ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D. Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; A. Medford, aye; J.~Drolet, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D. Renner, no; N.~Drolet, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; J.~West, aye. Ayes – 12; Nays - 1. Motion carried.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. West to place on 1st reading Ordinance Item 5, an Ordinance Designating as a Local Landmark, 110 West Washington. All ayes. Motion carried.
2nd Readings
Motion was made by D. Renner and seconded by E. True to consider Ordinances 6 – 10 under the Omnibus Agreement. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by D. Renner to approve Ordinance Items 6 – 10 under the previous Omnibus Agreement.
ITEM 6 - Ord. Amending the Zoning Code, Repealing 3.06, “Signs” and Adopting Art.12, Sign Regulations - As Amended
ITEM 7 - Ord. Amending Ord. 3302, Adopting the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code - As Amended
8. Ord. Approving the Final Plat of the Second Addition to Cobblestone Ridge
9. Ord. Budgeting for all Corporate Purposes for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2008 and ending April 30, 2009
10. Ord. Amending Chapter 77, Schedule III, Stop Signs, inclusion of Hearthstone Subdivision Streets
ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D. Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; A. Medford, aye; J.~Drolet, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D. Renner, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; J.~West, aye. All Ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES:
Community Development: J. Mouser stated they met on April 14th and the next meeting is April 28th.
Motion was made by D. Renner and seconded by J. West to approve the Special Event Permit request from Chevy’s Fresh Mex to hold a Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 3 and May 5, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. in the parking lot. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by D. Renner and seconded by N. Grogan to approve the Special Event Permit request from O’Fallon Booster Club to hold the Mayfest from May 16 – May 18, 2008 at the City park which includes the liquor license sales, raffle license sales and parade permit. A. Medford asked for clarification on the hours. J. Albrecht said that on Friday it was 10 to 11 and Saturday it closes at 10:30 and Sunday it closes at 7. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by J. West and seconded by R. Reckamp to Support Opposition to the Proposed Schmitt Billboard on Scott-Troy Road.
N. Drolet asked why a formal resolution was not presented stating our opposition. T. Shekell answered that the purpose was to send a message to the County, so with the motion the intent was made.
D. Renner asked whether we still rented billboards, and D. Rich said that we are not. J. Mouser added that it became too expensive. Tourism funds paid for them to attract people under the “heads and beds” and as the park evolved the focus changed.
J. Drolet said that he was the driving force behind the opposition. He reiterated that it does not meet the City’s standards. The County will vote on the billboard on Monday. There is a planned apartment building across the street from where the proposed billboard will be erected. The only light on the two lane road will be from the billboard. A. Medford added that there would be no impact, since the same people drive by it daily. D. Renner asked how much revenue the City gets from auto sales, and D. Rich answered that we receive 35%. D. Renner said the billboard is in the County, and the advertiser is just trying to sell his product.
N. Drolet added that we have spent a significant time on the sign Ordinance in order to clean up the City. He also thinks the sales will be minimal from this billboard.
ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D. Polites, no; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, no; A. Medford, aye; J.~Drolet, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D. Renner, no; N.~Drolet, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; J.~West, aye. Ayes – 10; Nays - 3. Motion carried.
Public Works: A. Medford said that they will meet as scheduled on April 28th at 7:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s Conference room.
Public Safety: E. True said thy met on April 14th. The minutes are in the packet. The next meeting is May 12th at 7:00 p.m.
Finance/Administration: Emily Turk stated that the Finance committee met before the meeting to discuss Warrant 158.
Motion was made by J. West and seconded by R. Reckamp to pay Warrant 158 in the amount of $443,257.87.
ROLL CALL: Grogan, aye; Schmidt, aye; E. True, aye; D. Polites, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; A. Medford, aye; J.~Drolet, aye; M.~Bennett, aye; D. Renner, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; J.~West, aye. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Emily Turk announced that the next Finance meeting will be on April 28th at 5:30 p.m.
Parks/Environment: J. Albrecht said that they met on April 14th and the minutes are in the packet. The next meeting is May 12th at 5:30 p.m.
M. Bennett said that the Family Sports Park was well attended at the tournament held there last weekend. He spoke to many parents that were impressed. They said that nothing in the area rivals it.
D. Renner wanted to complement the Code Enforcement for their great work, and J. Albrecht agreed that they are doing a great job.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by D. Renner and seconded by E. True to adjourn. All ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Submitted by,
__________________________
Philip A. Goodwin, City Clerk
Minutes taken by
Maryanne Fair, Deputy City Clerk
Proper notice having been duly given
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