City Council

Meeting date:

Monday, December 5, 2016

O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

December 5, 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.”

Philip Goodwin, 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; Courtney Marsh, present; Christopher Hursey, 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 of November 21, 2016. Motion was made by J. Albrecht and seconded by K. Hagarty to approve the minutes. All ayes. Motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING – None scheduled.

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

Katie Stewart, 112^th District Representative, introduced herself to the Council. She said she is searching for an office in Collinsville, so she will be centrally located.

Ron Zelms rose and endorsed Representative Stewart.

Dennis Grimmer, Library Board President, came forward and endorsed the tax levy raise. It generates 90% of the budget. He said it would increase the tax bill by $13.00 per household. He mentioned over 250,000 items were checked out last year and 150,000 people utilized the services. They have renovated the library at 1.2 million dollars, which they saved to pay for. They still need to purchase HVAC units and other improvements. It will also cover the IMRF and Social Security taxes. They hope to provide better customer service and additional training for their staff.

REPORTS:

Clerk’s Report: City Clerk Goodwin had no report.

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Graham had no report.

RESOLUTIONS:

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by D. Cozad to approve Resolution Items 1 – 3 under the Omnibus Agreement. All ayes. Motion carried.

J. Albrecht read the resolutions aloud:

Item 1, a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Geotechnology, Inc. related to the Milburn School Road Reconstruction, Phase 3 Project, and for the use of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds in the amount of $15,000.

Item 2, a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Rhutasel & Associates, Inc., related to the Milburn School Road Reconstruction, Phase 3 Project, and for the use of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds in the amount of $33,000.

Item 3, a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Local Agency agreement for Federal participation for the construction of the Milburn School Road Phase 3 Project ($530,500, or as much of such sum as may be needed to match Federal funds).

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey 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; Marsh, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.

ORDINANCES:

1^st Reading –

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Gilreath to consider on 1^st Reading Item 4, an Ordinance approving the Final Plat of the Four Points Center.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by D. Cozad to consider on 1^st Reading Item 5, an Ordinance providing for the annual Levy for the City of O’Fallon, for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of May 2016 and ending on the thirtieth day of April 2017.

R. Kueker supports the library, but he is concerned about raising taxes. He asked if we have considered other options.

Mayor Graham asked him what expenses he would like to reduce. R. Kueker replied that he has not seen last year’s audit. He added they do not get a monthly statement to review. He added that the hotel/motel tax should be reviewed.

Mayor Graham asked the finance director when we plan to get the final audit. S. Evans replied that we should have it next week.

H. Roach responded that he agreed with the comments from R. Kueker. He said we should look over our other needs, as well. He cannot support a 4.97% increase.

Mayor Graham replied that he asked the Council a year ago, for recommendations for reductions but has not received anything.

R. Kueker said he thinks we should redirect the hotel/motel tax.

D. Cozad said the hotel/motel tax is paid by people visiting the city and is traditionally used for tourism.

H. Roach said the tax does not have to be limited to tourism.

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

2nd Readings – Nothing brought forward.

STANDING COMMITTEES –

Community Development:

J. Albrecht stated the committee will meet December 12th at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Public Works: G. McCoskey stated they will meet December 27th at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, if needed. W. Denton added that they plan to cancel all the December 27^th meetings.

Public Safety: C. Marsh stated they will meet December 12th at 5:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Parks and Environment: R. Holden said they will meet December 12^th at 5:30 p.m.

Finance/Administration: Motion by D. Cozad and seconded by J. Albrecht to approve Warrant #363 in the amount of $1,689,858.78.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Graham said the Council would go into closed session to discuss the setting of a price for the sale of property.

The Council went into closed session at 7:26 p.m. and returned at 7:42 p.m. with no action.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 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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