City Council

Meeting date:

Monday, June 20, 2016

O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

June 20, 2016

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

Maryanne Fair, Deputy City Clerk, called the roll: Gene McCoskey, present; Richie Meile, present; Jerry Albrecht, present; Robert Kueker, present; Kevin Hagarty, present; Matthew Gilreath, 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.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Graham asked for approval of the minutes. Motion was made by J. Albrecht and seconded by K. Hagarty to approve the minutes of June 6, 2016. All ayes. Motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING – None scheduled.

REPORTS:

RESIDENTS: Mayor Graham asked if anyone wished to come forward to speak to the Council.

Robert Dorman, Collinsville resident, spoke about his concerns about Jeff Stehman, who is an O’Fallon employee and an alderman for Collinsville.

Megan Breeding spoke about her support of the School Crossing Guard program and the importance of keeping it.

Clerk’s Report: Deputy City Clerk Fair read the following requests:

Request from Random Acts to conduct a raffle for a Split the Pot at St. Clair Bowl on June 25, 2016

Request from Hands to Help NFP to conduct a raffle for a Split the Pot at St. Clair Bowl on July 16, 2016

Motion by M. Bennett and seconded by D. Cozad to approve the requests. All ayes. Motion carried.

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Graham announced the appointment of Library Board members: Larry Morrison, Linda Kahley and Betty Reed to three year terms; Nancy Clark and Suzanne Rupright (New member) to two year terms; Harriet Baker, Doug Distler and Dennis Grimmer to one year terms.

Motion by M. Bennett and seconded by R. Kueker to approve the appointments.

All ayes. Motion carried.

Mayor Graham asked the Rotary Club members Matthew Smallheer, Ed True and Rich Lunan to come forward with the recipient, Milkheila, and he read a Proclamation declaring June 20, 2016 as Milkheila Flores Day, Mexico Rotary Exchange Student.

He then announced that this month’s meeting of the Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors will be held June 23^rd at the Swansea Moose Lodge.

RESOLUTIONS: Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to consider resolution, items 1 – 3 under the Omnibus agreement. All ayes. Motion carried.

J. Albrecht read the resolutions:

Item 1 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) local agency agreement for Federal participation for the construction of the Hinchcliffe, Schaefer and Kampmeyer Elementary School Sidewalks Project in the amount of $241,000.00, Section 15-00070-00-SW

Item 2 – Resolution authorizing the Transfer of Funds from General Fund Reserves to be used for equipment and building updates for the 9-1-1 Consolidation Center in the amount of $250,000

Item 3 – Resolution authorizing the City of O’Fallon to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement with the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS)

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to approve resolution, items 1 – 3 under the previously approved Omnibus agreement.

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

ORDINANCES:

1^st Reading – Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to consider on 1^st Reading, Items 4 – 8 under the Omnibus agreement, as M. Bennett asked to consider Item 9 separately. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve on 1^st reading, Items 4 – 8 under the previously approved Omnibus Agreement.

J. Albrecht read the following Ordinances:

Item 4 – Ordinance amending Chapter 77, Stop Sign – Hesse and N. Madison

Item 5 – Ord. authorizing the execution of the Redevelopment Agreement with Metro Inflatables, LLC (Fezziwig’s)

Item 6 – Ord. approving the Final Plat of Milburn Estates, 1^st Addition

Item 7 – Ord. approving the Final Plat of Parkview Meadows – Phase 1

Item 8 – Ord. amending Development known as Lincoln Park Villas PUD, located at 1159 Lincoln Avenue

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve on 1^st reading, Item 9, an Ordinance amending Section 158.037 (6) of Chapter 158: Zoning.

M. Bennett voiced his concerns about removing the modular housing as a permitted use in SR-3. The area has smaller homes and mobile homes. The lots may be only 50 feet wide. Some may only be able to afford a modular home. He would like to see a more finessed approach to handle the modular homes.

C. Marsh echoed his comments. She added we do not want to alienate people from buying homes in the community. As long as the occupancy standards are met, she sees no problem.

G. McCoskey said the problem originated when a person was able to slide a trailer between two older homes on one of the properties without any permitting at all in less than eight feet from the property line of his neighbor. The amendment is needed to prevent that from happening again. It is not meant to penalize anyone.

M. Bennett asked T. Shekell whether this was the only solution. T. Shekell answered that we can discuss it again before 2^nd reading. We are starting to see more SR-3 applications. There is nothing against this type of home, but we received calls from unhappy people from that area. We thought that this was the best solution to prevent that from happening.

Mayor Graham asked if a variance could be requested, but T. Shekell replied that they could not, if it is not permitted. Long term, this would protect the neighborhoods.

D. Cozad said it some of the modular homes look nice, but on this one, it looks like somebody just stuck it in there.

C. Marsh added they do not have covenant restrictions in this area. T. Shekell said we do not require it in the newer subdivisions.

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, aye; Hagarty, aye; Gilreath, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Bennett, no; Marsh, no; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye. Ayes – 12; Nos - 2. Motion carried.

2nd Readings –

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Bennett to approve 2^nd reading, Item 10, an Ordinance amending Chapter 30 “City Council regarding Rules of Order and Procedure” of the Code of Ordinances.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve 2nd reading, Item 11, an Ordinance amending Chapter 77, Traffic Schedules, Schedule III, Stop/Through Street Intersections.

STANDING COMMITTEES –

Community Development: J. Albrecht stated they will meet next Monday at the Public Safety Building at 6:00 p.m.

Public Works: G. McCoskey stated they will meet June 27th at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Public Safety: Motion by C. Marsh and seconded by R. Kueker to reinstate the School Crossing Guard Program.

K. Hagarty stated his concerns about taking police officers away from their duty. He added that Chief Van Hook gave a very detailed presentation during the committee meeting. He mentioned that District 90 stated they cannot fund the program. He would prefer a police officer not be used as a School crossing guard, as that takes them away from their responsibilities. He would prefer that gaming funds could be used for lit stop signs. He said most surrounding cities have the program funded by the schools.

H. Roach said he believes safety is important for the kids, as well. He said the superintendent said they cannot afford to fund the program. We have helped the schools before. The City can manage the program, and the Management Team can put together a good program without taking the officers away from their duties. He believes the Chief can do it efficiently and well. He added the gaming funds and volunteers could be used. He urged the city and the schools to look for a good solution.

M. Bennett said the schools do not want to run the program at this time. It was noted that it is only needed a half hour before and after school. The police officers should not be burdened. He thinks volunteers are a good solution.

R. Kueker said he believes the program is worth keeping, as it is important for the kids. He thinks it is the city’s job to get them there, and the school’s job to educate them.

D. Cozad asked Chief Van Hook to clarify that he had told District 90 that he would help them develop a program. The Chief replied that he has had discussion with the schools. He and Superintendent Hruby will put together a program for District 90 as well as Central School. We will continue to be good partners.

M. Smallheer commented that he believes the crossing guards have been a bargaining chip with the TIF a year ago.

C. Marsh said Central School does not have crossing guards. Kids are important to her, but the police do not need to administer this.

Mayor Graham clarified the motion was to fund and administer the School Crossing Guard program.

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, no; Meile, no; Albrecht, no; Kueker, aye; Hagarty, no; Gilreath, no; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Bennett, no; Marsh, no; Holden, no; Drolet, no; Cozad, no, Gerrish, no. Motion failed.

Finance/Administration: M. Bennett said they met prior to this meeting, and they will cancel next week’s meeting. M. Bennett made a motion seconded by J. Albrecht to approve Warrant #352 in the amount of $559,066.87.

Parks and Environment: R. Holden said they would meet in July.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Graham stated there is no closed session.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

Submitted by,

__________________________

Philip A. Goodwin

City Clerk

Minutes recorded by

Maryanne Fair, Deputy City Clerk

Proper notice having been duly given

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