City Council

Meeting date:

Monday, December 19, 2016

O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

December 19, 2016

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Graham who asked Boy Scout Troop 35 to lead 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, excused; 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 December 5, 2016. Motion was made by D. Cozad and seconded by J. Albrecht 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.

Kent Strang came forward to ask the Council not to support the 4.93% tax levy increase. He stated that 87% of the voters approved the referendum stating they want any tax increases to come to the voter for approval. He added that Illinois has the highest tax rates in the nation. He asked the Council to seek alternatives to raising taxes.

Mary Gray came forward to state her opposition to the increase, as well. She went door-to-door and made phone calls to get signatures on the petition to get the referendum on the ballot. She added that this should not be decided in a backroom. John Gray added that he also wants tax increases to be on the ballot.

Jim Rubush came forward to state tax hikes should be on the ballot. He added that the veteran’s relief is based on the assessed value of his home.

Michael Burns said he also was against raising taxes. He added he did not think the library needed to have the parking lot redone.

Dennis Grimmer, Library Board President, came forward and said they collected $1,006,909 in taxes, which was 90% of their budget. They have worked hard to keep the expenses down. They have five full time employees and nineteen part-time employees. They have cut staffing hours, cut back on vacation and sick time, and eliminated paid lunch time. They want to have a fully trained, effective staff. This investment will help fund the IMRF and Social Security funds. They will also use it for personnel, maintenance, and training. The levy will generate $1,188,500 in the next fiscal year. This will pay for the IMRF and Social Security that the City pays for now. It will also pay for the maintenance, personnel and replacement of the HVAC. He asked for Council approval.

Jo Ann Fischer asked the city to respect the citizens by being ethically and financially responsible. She said last year the city raised the levy 3.3%. If the city raises the levy to 5%, it goes before a public hearing. She said the city is asking for 4.9% raise this year. She asked when and where we will stop the spending; she asked why the Council did not designate a portion of the hotel/motel tax toward the areas needing additional funding, and if the city is going to increase the spending, why do they not use the tax for roads, streets, and infrastructure?

Terry Lysakowski came forward to ask what fund Item 1 will come from. W. Denton responded to the Mayor that the money will initially come from the Strategic Plan Fund.

Terry Lysakowski replied that the Mayor had said earlier that the money would only come out of the hotel/ motel tax money. He also spoke about Proposition S and asked when the work would be done on curb and gutter. He read a list of roads that need work.

Mayor Graham said we have spent more than one million dollars in Terry’s neighborhood alone this year. The resident pays 11% for the portion of the city property tax. Street lights are two million dollars alone. The people who bought houses in the older sections did not pay for curbs and gutters. The newer homes do have to pay for streets, curbs and gutters. The estimate is ten million dollars to upgrade the streets, curbs and gutters. At the end of thirty years, streets are used up. There is no provision in the tax bill to make those improvements. We operate on sales tax. We take in more sales tax than property tax. We have lowered the levy most years. We do not have the total EAV yet. The State multiplier determines the rate. We try to keep the taxes down. All taxes are too high, but if want to have a good city, there are things we must do. Last year, we had thirty million dollars of EAV taken out for the Veterans exemption, which came out of the schools’ budget.

He added, if you want to keep the taxes down, you need to work with us on Economic Development. The sales tax pays for improvements. The Library portion for IMRF and Social Security is $170,000 with $70,000 for the Fire Department. We had to set up a pension fund for the Fire Department. Our volunteer Fire department saves us $5 million a year by not going to a fulltime department. The Library Board has not asked for a tax increase since 1984. The expansion is nice, and we have expanded the children’s programs.

REPORTS:

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

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Graham had nothing further to report.

RESOLUTIONS:

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve Item 1, a

Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the Professional Services Contract for the Millennia Survey of the Family Sports Park Destination O’Fallon Project in the amount of $19,100.

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

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by H. Gerrish to approve Item 2, a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with the Fource Group for Economic Development Services in the amount of $70,950.

N. Drolet feels that this is a pilot program. He thinks it is a lot of money, and if we want to keep it, we would have a $30,000 a year.

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, no; Hagarty, aye; Gilreath, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Marsh, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, no; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye. Ayes – 11; Nays - 2. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve Item 3, a

Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Professional Services Contract with SWT for the purpose of performing Schematic Design Services for the Downtown Plaza Project in the amount of $62,410.

ORDINANCES:

1^st Reading –

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by K. Hagarty to consider on 1^st Reading Item 4, an

Ordinance rescinding Ordinance 3924, Towing Companies.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by R. Kueker to consider on 1^st Reading Item 5, an Ordinance amending Ordinance 623, Development known as Flying Aces to be located at 829 Siebert Road.

J. Albrecht said this is the one we delayed waiting for input from the Air Force who said they did not have a problem with it.

2nd Readings –

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Gilreath to approve on 2nd Reading Item 6, an Ordinance approving the Final Plat of the Four Points Center.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve on 2nd Reading, Item 7, 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.

H. Roach stated that in less than eight weeks, we have created the highest debt when we sell bonds for the downtown and park. We are now raising the tax rate 4.9%.

M. Smallheer said he has had lots of discussion with folks from his ward. He asked the Council to go over the budget line by line for more careful review.

Mayor Graham said the people from out of town pay the hotel/motel tax. The city has 300 million in assets and 55 million in debt. We have a AA Bond rating. In April, the tax rate will be decided by the EAV. It is based on the State multiplier. The Parks system brings people into the city. Safety and schools also are a factor.

M. Gilreath said everyone understands where the State is at. The Veterans exemption has made an impact. He supports the veterans, and his father is a veteran. He is about saving money.

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, no; Hagarty, aye; Gilreath, aye; Roach, no; Smallheer, aye; Marsh, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye. Ayes - 11; Nays - 2. Motion carried.

STANDING COMMITTEES –

Community Development:

J. Albrecht stated the committee will meet January 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Public Works: G. McCoskey stated they will meet January 23^rd at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. G. McCoskey added the public committee meetings are open and nothing is done in a back room. The comment is inappropriate and irresponsible.

Public Safety: C. Marsh stated they will meet January 9th at 5:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Parks and Environment: R. Holden said they will meet January 9th at 5:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Finance/Administration: Motion by D. Cozad and seconded by J. Albrecht to approve Warrant #364 in the amount of $902,531.00.

He said they will meet on January 23^rd for an hour at 5:00 pm. at the Public Safety Building.

Mayor Graham commended the Police, volunteer Fire and EMS for the work during the ice storm. Captain Van Hook replied they had 490 calls for service on the first day of the new consolidated dispatch center. Chief Van Hook added that they had 145 additional calls, and they did a fabulous job. They also had calls from Shiloh and Fairview Heights. He also commended Jeff Taylor and Public Works for their assistance.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Graham said the Council would go into closed session to discuss the sale of public property.

The Council went into closed session at 7:48 p.m. and returned at 8:01 p.m.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Gilreath to sell 115 Elm Street to Habitat for Humanity.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to authorize the Mayor to negotiate a contract with Brad McMillin for 131 East 1^st Street.

Motion by H. Roach and seconded by K. Hagarty to stipulate that the sale not be less than the appraised value.

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, no; Meile, aye; Albrecht, no; Kueker, aye; Hagarty, aye; Gilreath, no; Roach, aye; Smallheer, no; Marsh, no; Holden, no; Drolet, aye; Cozad, no; Gerrish, no. Ayes – 5; nays - 8. Motion failed.

Vote on original motion:

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

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Submitted by,

__________________________

Philip A. Goodwin

City Clerk

Minutes recorded by

Maryanne Fair, Deputy City Clerk

Proper notice having been duly given

Explore O'Fallon:

Boards & Commissions

Committees