City Council Minutes

 

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:01 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, excused; Jerry Albrecht, present; Jerry Mouser, present; Kevin Hagarty, present; John Drolet, present; Herb Roach, present; Michael Bennett, present; Courtney Cardona, present; Jim Hursey, present; Ray Holden, present; David Cozad, present; Harlan Gerrish, present.  A quorum was declared present.

 

Mayor Graham asked for approval of the minutes.  Motion was made by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. Hursey to approve the minutes of October 6, 2014.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – None scheduled.

 

RESIDENTS:    Mayor Graham invited any resident forward to speak.

 

Pastor Willie Brown spoke about the privatization of water services.  He is concerned that the rates will go up.  He said it would adversely impact his congregation if we sold the water.

 

Pat Lambert also spoke against the sale, as she believes the taxes she has paid over the years has paid for the system we have now.

 

Seymour Ryder said we have a pretty good system now and is concerned about the long term income loss, if it were sold.  He is against privatization.

 

Gene Hyatt is also concerned about high water bills.  He also mentioned that the city of Pekin sold their water to Illinois American Water, and then requested to get it back, but the ICC denied their request.  He is also concerned that a private company would be less than open where the money goes.

 

Keith Jones said he wants the City to remain in control of the water services to ensure that the water is safe to drink.  He is concerned that another company would not maintain the quality of our water.

 

Bonnie Hester is concerned that senior citizens will not be able to afford increased costs for water.

 

Lisa Davinroy spoke against Illinois American Water.  She is unhappy with their billing practices.

 

Ron Van Horn said he was concerned with the value of homes decreasing because of the proposed water sale.  He is also concerned about the long term use of the money received from the sale.

 

Terry Lysakowski mentioned Proposition S and curb and gutter in the city.  He believes that the citizens are not being heard, and the taxes are not used as the citizens were told.

 

Steve Johnson asked why the sale was not on the ballot for vote.  He prefers the citizens decide the issue.

 

Christy Livingston also spoke in opposition to the sale and wanted to know if other cities were happy with the results after selling.  Mayor Graham replied that he spoke to the Peoria mayor last week, and that city is happy.  She wanted to know when the citizens will have the right to speak.  Mayor Graham answered that she is welcome to attend committee or Ward meetings.

 

Vern Malare mentioned the letter that was sent out in the water bills.  He said the citizens have a right to vote on the sale.

 

Dr. Melanie Stewart said clean water and a good sewer system is a basic human right and those rights should not be given to a profit driven company.  Non-profit companies provide a service at a lower cost to the people.

 

Vickie Thorsen praised the streets department for their work.  She also wants to vote on the issue.

 

David Sneed also spoke in opposition to a possible sale.  He also asked if the proposals would be shared to the public, and Mayor Graham replied that currently we do not have any proposals.

 

 

Clerk’s Report:  No report.

 

Mayor’s Report:   Mayor Graham announced that Halloween hours are from 6 – 9 p.m.

 

RESOLUTIONS:  J. Albrecht stated that Item 1 would be voted on after Executive Session.

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. Mouser to approve Item 2 – A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with O’Fallon Local 2817, AFSCME Labor Council.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Drolet, aye; Roach, aye; Bennett, aye; Cardona, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  Ayes - 13; Nos – 0.  Motion carried.

 

 

1^st Reading – Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. Mouser to consider 1^st Reading Ordinances Items 3 – 6 under the Omnibus Agreement.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

J. Albrecht read the following Ordinances:

 

Item 3 - Ordinance designating, 226 West State, known as the Wachter Building, as a Local Historic Landmark in O’Fallon, Illinois

 

Item 4 - Ordinance amending Solicitor and Peddler’s ordinance

 

Item 5 - Ordinance amending the truck ordinance

 

Item 6 - Ordinance amending the parking ordinance

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. Mouser to approve Ordinances Items 3 – 6 under the previous Omnibus Agreement.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Drolet, aye; Roach, aye; Bennett, aye; Cardona, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  Ayes - 13; Nos – 0.  Motion carried.

 

2nd Readings –

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. Mouser to consider 2^nd Reading Ordinances Items 7 – 10 under the Omnibus Agreement.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

J. Albrecht read the Ordinances:

 

Item 7 – Ordinance amending Ord. 623, Zoning, development known as Gander Mountain to be located at 1234 Central Park Drive, as amended

 

          8.  Ordinance amending Ord. 623, Zoning, development known as St. Elizabeth’s Hospital to be located at 1501 North Green Mount Road

 

          9.  Ordinance authorizing the establishment of a route 50/Scott Troy Road Tax Increment Financing (TIF) “Interested Parties” registries and adopting registration rules for these registries

 

10. Ordinance authorizing the establishment of Central City Tax Increment Financing “Interested Parties” registries and adopting registration rules for these registries

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. Mouser to approve Ordinances Items 7 – 10 under the previous Omnibus Agreement.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Drolet, aye; Roach, aye; Bennett, aye; Cardona, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  Ayes - 13; Nos – 0.  Motion carried.

 

The Ordinance approving the Franchise Agreement remains on hold.

 

 

Community Development:  Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. Mouser to approve the Special event permit request for a sign at Papa Murphy’s and a Special event permit request for St. Jude’s Crusaders Charity Christmas Tree Lot at 406 West Highway 50 (Gator’s frozen custard) from November 28th to December 23, 2014.  All ayes. Motion carried.

 

He stated the committee will meet next Monday.

 

Public Works:  R. Meile announced that they will meet October 27th at the Public Safety Building at 7:00 p.m.

 

Public Safety:  Motion by K. Hagarty and seconded by H. Roach to reaffirm the approval of the addendum to the communications site agreement with St. Clair County.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

He said they will meet on November 10^th at 5:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

 

Finance/Administration:  Motion by M. Bennett and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve Warrant #311 in the amount of $1,646,053.31.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Roach, aye; Drolet, recuse; Bennett, aye; Cardona, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  Ayes - 12; Nos – 0; Recuse - 1.  Motion carried.

 

Parks and Environment:  J. Mouser stated that they will meet November 10^th at 5:00 p.m.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Graham said they will go into closed session to discuss property acquisition.

 

Motion by J. Hursey and seconded by J. Albrecht to go into closed session.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Drolet, aye; Roach, aye; Bennett, aye; Cardona, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  Ayes - 13; Nos – 0.  Motion carried.

 

The Council went into closed session at 7:39 p.m. and returned at 7:49 p.m.

 

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve Item 1 – A resolution authorizing the City of O’Fallon to acquire real estate located at 220 W. 5th Street.

 

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Mouser, aye; Hagarty, aye; Drolet, aye; Roach, aye; Bennett, aye; Cardona, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Cozad, aye, Gerrish, aye.  Ayes - 13; Nos – 0.  Motion carried.

 

J. Drolet invited Ward 4 to a Town Hall meeting this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.  H. Roach and he are hosting the meeting.

 

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

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

 

Submitted by,

 

 

 

__________________________

Philip A. Goodwin

City Clerk                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                               

Minutes recorded by

Maryanne Fair, Deputy City Clerk

Proper notice having been duly given