City Council

 

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Phil Goodwin.  The Boy Scouts came forward and led the Council in “The Pledge of Allegiance.” 

 

Philip Goodwin, City Clerk, called the roll: Gene McCoskey, present; Richie Meile, present; Jerry Albrecht, present; Robert Kueker, present; Jerry Mouser, present; Kevin Hagarty, present; Herb Roach, present; Matthew Smallheer, present; Michael Bennett, present; Courtney Marsh, present; Ray Holden, present; Ned Drolet, present; David Cozad, present; Harlan Gerrish, present.  A quorum was declared present.

 

City Clerk Philip Goodwin announced that Mayor Graham would not be present and requested a motion to appoint a Mayor Pro Tem. Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by D. Cozad to appoint J. Mouser as Mayor Pro Tem.  All ayes.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Mayor Pro Tem Mouser asked for approval of the minutes.  Motion was made by J. Albrecht and seconded by D. Cozad to approve the minutes of March 21, 2016.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – None Scheduled.

 

RESIDENTS:  Mayor Pro Tem Mouser asked if anyone wished to come forward to speak to the Council.

 

Herbert Brabenec representing a few of his neighbors and their Homeowner Association members who were in the audience encouraged the Council to vote for Item 4 on the agenda regarding a review of the traffic on Scott Troy Road. 

 

 

Clerk’s Report:  P. Goodwin read the following requests:

 

1. Request from McKendree University to conduct a raffle for miscellaneous items on April 9, 2016 at the Knights of Columbus on Old Collinsville Road.

 

2. Request from Ainad Arab Patrol Shriners to conduct a raffle on April 16, 2016 for miscellaneous items in a silent auction.

 

3. Request from Laverna Evans PTO to conduct a raffle for an American Girl doll on April 15, 2016

 

Motion by M. Bennett and seconded by H. Roach to approve the requests.  All ayes, motion carried.

 

P. Goodwin then read a roadblock request from VFW Post 805 for April 23, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the intersection of State and Lincoln pending supporting documentation and insurance.

 

Motion by M. Bennett and seconded by H. Roach to approve the requests.  All ayes, except for N. Drolet.  Motion carried.

 

 

Mayor’s Report:  

 

Mayor Pro Tem Mouser welcomed Boy Scout Troop 46 and thanked them for the great job leading the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Mayor Pro Tem Mouser read a Proclamation declaring April 11, 2016 as National Telecommunicator Week.

 

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to consider Resolution Items 1 – 6 under the Omnibus Agreement.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  Mayor Pro Tem Mouser read the following resolutions:

 

Item 1 – Resolution to declare a surplus of fund in the Special Tax Allocation Fund for the City’s Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Project Area (TIF District #3 Central Park).

 

Item 2 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Millennia Professional Service of Illinois, Ltd., for additional surveying and engineering services for East 2^nd Street.

 

Item 3 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor an agreement with Horner & Shifrin for the design of the City Hall generator in an amount of $12,500.00.

 

Item 4 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with George L. Crawford & Associates (d/b/a CBB) for the Old Vincennes Trail – Scott Troy Road – Borchers Lane intersection study in the amount not to exceed $7,250.00.

 

Item 5 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with L.W. Contractors, Inc., for the West Washington Street sewer replacement project in an amount of $169,738.00 based on the unit prices bid.

 

Item 6 - Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Volkert, Inc., for real estate appraisals limited to not exceed $50,000.00 in value for any separate task or work order.

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to approve resolutions Items 1 – 6 under the previous Omnibus Agreement.

 

J. Albrecht noted that it is an agreement for a study of the intersection.  He added it will go over what is needed or what a solution might be.

 

N. Drolet said there is a general consensus that something needs to be done there.  It was discussed during the committee, and he said that a roundabout would not be considered.  He has been assured that a roundabout, traffic signs and other things will be considered on what is best.

 

H. Roach stated that both he and M. Smallheer are in favor of this study going forward.  This has been a major concern for residents along Borchers and in the subdivision.   

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Bennett, aye; Marsh, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to consider on 1^st Reading, under the Omnibus Agreement, Items 8 – 10.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

 

Alderman Albrecht read the following:

 

Item 8 – An Ordinance approving the Final Plat of the Reserves of Timber Ridge – Phase 2A.

 

Item 9 – An Ordinance approving the Final Plat of Illini Trails, 3^rd Addition, Plat 1.

 

Item 10 – An Ordinance approving the Final Plat of Lake St. Ellen’s Plaza.

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve on 1^st Reading, under the previous Omnibus Agreement, Items 8 – 10. 

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Bennett, aye; Marsh, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, Aye, Gerrish, aye.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to consider on 1^st Reading, Item 7 – Ord. budgeting for all corporate purposes of the City of O’Fallon, St. Clair County, Illinois for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2016 and ending April 30, 2017.

 

 

K. Hagarty stated while walking his ward last year, residents inquired where the video gaming revenue was going to go.  Most residents told him they would like it to go to Public Works and Public Safety.  It is estimated that there could be a $50,000.00 profit for this year, and he would anticipate that going up over the years as more machines come in.  He proposed to amend the motion for the $50,000.00 received in video gaming to come from the strategic planning budget that has no identified usage.  He added that he would like 25% transferred to the Police Department for unfunded mandates such as training and equipment.  Then the other 75% would go to the Public Works Department for new unfunded storm water testing, as he understands there will be mandated storm water testing from the State.  He is not trying to change the budget and is not taking away from other departments. 

 

G. McCoskey understands the issue, but they are trying to be sensitive to all residents citywide.  None of the residents in his ward have ever asked him to carve up the budget that has been prepared.  All departments are trying to compete for the same amount of dollars based on the need of residents.  He will vote no to the amendment.

 

H. Roach said we would not be taking away money from other departments, as it was said it is from the strategic planning which is a line item that did not exist until about three years ago.  Now it has over $750,000.00 in it, and it is not allocated for any usage. 

 

J. Mouser asked if they are proposing to amend the budget for this year or future years too.  They responded it was just this year.

 

J. Albrecht will also oppose the amendment because it sets a terrible precedent.  We are here to set policy and to give the staff ideas.  We set the policy and not direct where the funds should go.  He is going to oppose it.

 

K. Hagarty made a motion and seconded by H. Roach to amend the budget transferring the video gaming money to the Police Department at 25% and Public Works Department at 75%. 

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, no; Meile, aye; Albrecht, no; Kueker, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Bennett, no; Marsh, no; Holden, no; Drolet, aye; Cozad, no, Gerrish, no.  Ayes – 7; Nos – 7.  Motion failed due to a tie.

 

M. Bennett added it has become a year round task for staff and some committees.  It does not start at this time of the year.  He said this is a pretty successful budget this year.  There were quite a few questions asked and answered at the last Finance Committee meeting.  He said the staff has done a good job. 

 

Vote on the original motion - ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Bennett, aye; Marsh, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

2nd Readings – No items brought forward.

 

 

Community Development:  Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to approve the Special Event request from Keller Farms, Inc. to operate a Sweet Corn Stand from June 15, 2016 through August 15, 2016.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

J. Albrecht stated they will meet April 11^th at the Public Safety Building.

 

Public Works:  Motion by G. McCoskey and seconded by M. Bennett to approve the purchase of two Communications Hub HVAC units from Bel-O in the amount of $10,980.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Bennett, aye; Marsh, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by G. McCoskey and seconded by R. Kueker to approve the purchase of three generators from Butler Supply in the amount of $30,980.49.

 

J. Albrecht pointed out that the generators are for the lift stations.  They will be used to power up when we have trouble, as they will start automatically.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Bennett, aye; Marsh, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

G. McCoskey stated they will meet April 25^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

 

Public Safety:  C. Marsh said they will meet next Monday at 5:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. 

 

Finance/Administration:  M. Bennett said they met prior to this meeting. M. Bennett made a motion seconded by J. Albrecht to approve Warrant #347 in the amount of $570,768.62.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Bennett, aye; Marsh, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

M. Bennett added that the Fire Department expense was for the training garage building at that facility.

 

Parks and Environment:  R. Holden said they will meet next month.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:   Mayor Pro Tem stated there is no closed session.

 

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

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

 

Submitted by,

 

 

 

__________________________

Philip A. Goodwin

City Clerk                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                           

Minutes recorded by

Heide Bell, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Public Works

Proper notice having been duly given