City Council

 

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Graham who led the Council in “The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.”

 

Philip Goodwin, City Clerk, called the roll:  Gene McCoskey, present; Richie Meile, present; Ed True, present; Jerry Albrecht, present; Jerry Mouser, excused; Kevin Hagarty, present; John Drolet, present; Herb Roach, present; Michael Bennett, present; Courtney Cardona, excused; Jim Hursey, present; Ray Holden, present; David Cozad, present; Harlan Gerrish, present.  A quorum was declared present.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Mayor Graham asked for approval of the minutes.  Motion was made by J. Albrecht and seconded by E. True to approve the minutes of February 17, 2015.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – None scheduled.

 

RESIDENTS:    Mayor Graham invited any resident who wished to speak to come forward.

 

Lindsay Steely stepped forward to voice her support for the City’s consideration of a lease of the water and sewer systems.  She researched the leasing option and found that it makes sense.  The Strategic Plan is a good business plan she found.  She said the Family Sports Park is the best thing the city has ever done.  She said she found that it makes good business sense to try the lease option other than raising taxes.  She said she has been working on a website called voteyespleaseofallon.  She asked that you vote “yes” for the upcoming referendum.

 

Abrahm Mayo came forward and stated that he started the website that Lindsey mentioned, as well as a Facebook page.  He said he learned in his research that O’Fallon buys the water from Illinois American Water, which is one of the lease companies.  He said that the brochures that the city workers had handed out had inaccurate information.  He is concerned that city workers used city resources to distribute the misinformation.

 

Kae Zelms, treasurer for the Citizens for Action replied that it is not just city workers, her group and the UCM – United Congregation of the Metro East are part of it.  She invites all to come out to the O’Fallon Township Building on March 9^th and March 25^th from 7-8 p.m. to their meeting.

 

Terry Lysakowski also spoke about his concern that the laborers would have to take certification tests again, since their certification will not be valid if they do not work for a public entity.  Mayor Graham said he would look into it.  T. Lysakowski was also concerned that the office workers could lose their jobs, and Mayor Graham said they would not.

 

 

Clerk’s Report:  City Clerk Goodwin read the following requests:

 

1.  Request from the Knights of Columbus to conduct a raffle for hams and another one for a gas grill from March 3 – April 3, 2015

 

2.  Request from Lifelong Music in O’Fallon Schools to conduct a raffle for cash on March 10, 2015

 

3. Request from St. Nicholas Church to conduct a raffle for a cash prize from March 3 – May 16, 2015

 

4.  Request from the American Legion Post 137 to conduct a roadblock at the intersection of State and Lincoln and State and Smiley on May 16, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

5.  Request from the Knights of Columbus, Council 4239 to conduct a roadblock at the intersection of State and Lincoln and State and Smiley on September 18^th from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., as well as September 19^th from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

6.  Request from the Senior Citizens Club of O’Fallon to conduct a raffle for quilts, cash, and other prizes from April 1 – September 16, 2015

 

7.  Request from Marie Schaefer Elementary School to conduct a raffle for Razor scooters, Android tablets and a Lego set from March 3 – March 18, 2015

 

8.  Request from Marie Schaefer Elementary School to conduct a raffle for gift cards, Bed & Breakfast, dinner and a movie, and other prizes from March 3 – March 18, 2015

 

Motion by M. Bennett and seconded by E. True to approve.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Mayor’s Report:   Mayor Graham said that tomorrow and Wednesday night at the Public Safety Building from 5 – 7 p.m., we are having a public forum to show why the city is considering a lease.

 

 

 

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to consider Items 1 – 5 under the Omnibus Agreement.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

ITEM 1 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Volkert, Inc. for real estate appraisals limited to not exceed $50,000 in value for any separate task or work order

 

ITEM 2 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a joint agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the construction of a turn lane and intersection improvements along W. Hwy 50, as well as authorizing the City Clerk to execute an IDOT resolution form approving the use of local Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) in the amount of $815,100 for support of the project

 

ITEM 3 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) local agency agreement for Federal participation, an agreement with Thouvenot, Wade and Moerchen, Inc. (TWM) in the amount of $46,270 and MFT support in the amount of $400,000; for the Seven Hills Road sidewalk extension

 

ITEM 4 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) local agency agreement for Federal participation, an agreement with Rhutasel & Associates in the amount of $31,000 for engineering services, and MFT support in the amount of $300,000; for the 2015 Safe Routes to school improvements

 

ITEM 5 – Resolution urging the Governor and General Assembly to protect full funding of Local Government Distributive Fund Revenues

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. Hursey to approve Items 1 – 5 under the previous Omnibus Agreement.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; True, aye; Albrecht, aye; Hagarty, aye; Drolet, aye; Roach, aye; Bennett, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye.  Ayes – 12; Nos – 0. All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Mayor Graham stated that item 5 is on the agenda as cities have had to have a balanced budget, but the governor is proposing to take 50%.  He said the State is balancing its budget on the backs of the cities.

 

 

 

1^st Reading – Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to consider on 1^st Reading, Item 6, an Ordinance declaring certain vehicles and equipment as surplus:  2001 Dodge Ram 2500, VIN 3B7KF26Z41M276446 and 2004 Freightliner Air Sweeper, VIN 1FVAB6BV84DN10688, and miscellaneous computer and cellphones.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to consider on 1^st Reading, Item 7, an Ordinance amending Title XI, Chapter 116, Section 116.18 (C), fee for H-1 Liquor License, $700 for a profit entity and $400 for a not-for-profit entity.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; True, aye; Albrecht, aye; Hagarty, aye; Drolet, aye; Roach, aye; Bennett, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye.  Ayes – 12; Nos – 0. All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

2nd Readings – No 2nd reading Ordinances brought forward.

 

 

Community Development:J. Albrecht stated they will meet with the Nickfest committee prior to next Monday’s meeting at the Public Safety building.

 

Public Works: Motion by R. Meile and seconded by M. Bennett to approve the purchase of the storage building materials and erection at 8645 E. Hwy 50 from Tru-Built in the amount of $86,500.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; True, aye; Albrecht, aye; Hagarty, aye; Drolet, aye; Roach, aye; Bennett, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye.  Ayes – 12; Nos – 0. All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

R. Meile announced that they will meet March 23rd at the Public Safety Building at 7:00 p.m.

 

Finance/Administration:  M. Bennett said they have kicked off the budget approval process that they have been working on all year long.

 

Motion by M. Bennett and seconded by J. Albrecht to approve Warrant #320 in the amount of $962,152.39.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; True, aye; Albrecht, aye; Hagarty, aye; Drolet, aye; Roach, aye; Bennett, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye.  Ayes – 12; Nos – 0. All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Public Safety:  K. Hagarty said they will meet at 5:00 p.m. March 9th at the Public Safety Building.

Parks and Environment:  E. True said they will meet March 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building to go over the budget.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:   No closed session.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to adjourn.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

 

Submitted by,

 

 

 

__________________________

Philip A. Goodwin

City Clerk                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                               

Minutes recorded by

Maryanne Fair, Deputy City Clerk

Proper notice having been duly given