City Council

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting December 19, 2016 7:30 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag was given by those present. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gottman called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Vandalia City Council to order at 7:30 P.M. ROLL CALL: Aldermen present were: Lester, yea; B. John Clark, yea; Stunkel, yea; Crawford, yea; Hubler, yea; Rebbe, yea; Hobler, yea; Swarm, yea. MINUTES: A motion was made by Swarm and seconded by Crawford approving the minutes from the December 5, 2016 meeting as presented. Motion carried. REGULAR BILLS: A motion of was made by Stunkel and seconded by Hobler approving the regular bills as presented. Motion carried. SPECIAL BILLS: A motion was made by B. John Clark and seconded by Stunkel approving the Special Bills as presented: Journal Communications in the amount of $3,280.00 for Annual print & online ½ page ad in State Ec. Dev. Publication; Ron Whiteside Communication in the amount of $2,531.00 to remove and install equipment in new squad car; Hurst Rosche Engineering in the amount of $25,841.02 for Fifth & Randolph Construction; First National Bank in the amount of $94,418.34 for bank 1  loan on 120 acres; Stombaugh Heating & Air in the amount of $3,440.00 for hanging heaters in Fire Department; Schulte Supply in the amount of $4,500.00 for valves; Brenntag Mid South Inc. in the amount of $8,215.58 for chemicals; Hawkins, Inc. in the amount of $5,628.04 for supplies; Direct Energy in the amount of $16,563.20 for electric; Vandevanter Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $6,748.00 for annual maintenance contract & inspection; Motion carried. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT: A copy of the Treasurer’s Report will be filed for audit. PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED TAX Mayor Gottman announced that a Public LEVY: Hearing was held at 6:30 P.M. in City Council Chambers to hear public opinion on the proposed tax levy. Dale Timmermann who serves as the city’s auditor presented two options for a new tax levy. The council chose Option B the proposed levy that includes the lower figure, which would set the increase of the new levy at 4.88. Option A called for an increase of 21.85 percent. ORDINANCE #2016-12-19-A: A motion was made by Hobler and seconded by Stunkel adopting Ordinance #2016-12-19-A, Making The Annual Tax levy For The Fiscal Year Beginning On The First Day of May 2016, And Ending On The Thirtieth Day of April 2017. Roll Call: Stunkel, yea; Clark, nay; Hubler, yea; Hobler, yea; Crawford, yea; Lester, yea; Rebbe, yea; Swarm, yea. Motion carried. 2 ORDINANCE #2016-12-19-B: A motion was made by Swarm and ABATING THE TAX LEVY seconded by Stunkel Adopting REQUIREMENTS OF ORDINANCE NO Ordinance #2016-12-19-B, Abating The 2007-4-16-A Tax Levy Requirements Of Ordinance NO. 2016-4-16-A. Roll Call: Rebbe, yea; Crawford, yea; B. John Clark, yea; Stunkel, yea; Hobler, yea; Swarm, yea; Hubler, yea; Lester, yea. Motion carried. LAKE LOT #153 TRANSFER FROM A motion was made by Hobler and BECKY WELKER, HAVANA, IL to seconded by Crawford approving the LUKE TOWNSEND, VANDALIA, IL.: transfer of Lake Lot #153 from Becky Welker, Havana, IL to Luke Townsend, Vandalia, IL. Motion carried. All necessary fees have been paid. LAKE LOT #51 TRANSFER FROM A motion was made by Hobler and HERMAN CYPERT, GREENVILLE, IL seconded by Crawford approving the to JEFF & SUE GIBBONS, transfer of Lake Lot 51 from Herman HIGHLAND, IL : Cypert, Greenville, IL to Jeff & Sue Gibbons, Highland, IL. Motion carried. AUTHORIZATION FOR OUTSIDE A motion was made by B. John Clark CAMERA PLACEMENT ON CITY HALL: and seconded by Stunkel to purchase a camera system for the downtown area in the amount of $2,196.50 from Pro- Wire. It will be paid out of TIF funds. Motion carried. ORDINANCE #2016-12-19-C: A motion was made by Lester and AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE seconded by Hobler adopting Ordinance VANDALIA MUNICIPAL CODE # 2016-12-19-C, Ordinance Amending The Vandalia Municipal Code (Driveway Excavation). Roll Call: Lester, yea; Hobler, yea; B. John Clark, yea; Swarm, yea; Hubler, yea; Crawford, yea; Rebbe, yea; Stunkel, yea; Motion carried. 3 ORDINANCE # 2016-12-19-D: A motion was made by Stunkel and AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2006-2- seconded by Hubler approving 21-D AND SECTIONS 2.35.020 AND Ordinance #2016-12-19-D, Amending 2.35.030 OF THE VANDALIA Ordinance No. 2006-2-21-D And MUNICIPAL CODE Sections 2.35.030 Of The Municipal Code. The City of Vandalia will be filling the office of Director of Economic Development and Tourism Director. The appointment shall include council approval of a written contract of appointment including a specified rate of compensation in the amount of $65,000 per year together with a delineation of duties and responsibilities. The term of the office of the Director shall not be longer than the term of the Mayor who shall have made the appointment. Roll Call: Hubler, yea; Swarm, yea; Crawford, abstain; Stunkel, yea; Rebbe, yea; Hobler, yea; Clark, yea; Lester, yea; Motion carried. RESOLUTION #2016-12-19-E: A motion was made by Lester and AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN seconded B. John Clark adopting EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN Resolution #2016-12-19-E, Authorizing THE CITY OF VANDALIA AND BRIAN Execution Of An Employment Agreement STOUT Between The City of Vandalia and Brian Stout. The City of Vandalia and Brian Stout desire to enter into an Employment Agreement to the position of Director Of Economic Development and Tourism Director for the City of Vandalia. Roll call vote: Rebbe, yea; Lester, yea; Stunkel, yea; Hobler, yea; B. John Clark, yea; Crawford, abstain; Hubler, yea; Swarm, yea. Motion carried. 4 ORDINANCE #2016-12-19-F: A motion was made by Lester and ORDINANCE AMENDING SALARIES FOR seconded by Stunkel adopting FISCAL YEAR MAY 1, 2o16-APRIL Ordinance #2016-12-19-F, An Ordinance 30, 2017 Amending Salaries For Fiscal Year May 1, 2016-April 30, 2017. This will just add the salary for the Director of Economic Development & Tourism Director. Roll Call: Swarm, yea; Hubler, yea; Stunkel, yea; Crawford, abstain, Hobler, yea; Rebbe, yea; Lester, yea; Clark, yea. Motion carried. ORDINANCE #2016-12-19-G: A motion was made by Lester and TITLE 2 ADMINISTRATION AND seconded by Hobler Adopting Ordinance PERSONNEL IS HEREBY AMENDED BY #2016-12-19-G, Title 2 Administration ADDITION OF NEW CHAPTER 2.78 And Personnel Is Hereby Amended By MUNICIPAL TRAVEL EXPENSE AND Addition Of New Chapter 2.78 REIMBURSEMENT Municipal Travel Expense And Reimbursement. Public Act 99-0604, entitled Local Government Travel Expense Control Act, requires the creation by cities and villages of written regulations for the reimbursement of travel, meals and lodging expenses for City officers and employees. Roll Call: Hobler, yea; Swarm, yea; Lester, yea; Rebbe, yea; Hubler, yea; Clark, yea; Stunkel, yea; Crawford, yea. Motion carried. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gottman reported that he made an emergency purchase of a blemished salt spreader for the public works department in the amount of $12,500.00. He said the purchase was due to two of the spreaders that broke down last week, and that it’s hard to get parts due to the age of the spreaders. 5  Mayor Gottman praised the public works department employees for their work during the bad weather on Friday and Saturday evenings and also mentioned that the police department handled more than two dozen accidents from 6:30-11:00 p.m. CITY CLERK’S REPORT: City Clerk Bowen reported that today was the last day to file for the April 4, 2017 Consolidated Election. Those that have filed: Mayor: Ricky Gottman City Clerk: Peggy Bowen Alderman: Ward I : Joseph Crawford & Steven Barker Ward II: Dorothy Crawford & Stacia Fields. Ward III: Mike Hobler Ward IV: Andy Lester Ward IV (2 Yr. Unexpired Term: Joel Rebbe NOTE: There will be a lottery to determine placement on the ballot for alderwoman in Ward II. ALDERMEN’S CONCERNS: Lester brought to the attention one of the buildings next to Lincoln Park the old antique building, the cornice appears to be pulling away from the building. Lester questioned City Attorney Connor what is the definition of an abandoned building? What powers does the city have to take over the building or force the owner to maintain the building? Does it mean an ordinance need to be created or does the city have any avenue at all? Because now it’s possibly becoming a hazard. 6  City Attorney Connor explained that the city can take action once a problem with a building becomes a health and safety issue. Mayor Gottman directed Zach Kopp, Code Official and Dan Barenfanger, Building Inspector and City Attorney Ryan Connor call a meeting to discuss the matter. Alderwoman Crawford said that she had a resident approach her about making the intersection of Eighth and Gallatin Streets a four-way stop. Public Works Director said one of the issues at that location is that the brick street on Gallatin on the west side of the intersection becomes slick in bad weather, which would make it difficult, if not possible, for motorists to proceed after stopping at Eighth Street. Mayor Gottman said the street that concerns him is Sixth Street, due to the end parking spot. A suggestion was made to illuminate the last parking spot west. Mayor Gottman directed Public Works Director Marlin Filer to look at the Sixth Street area. COUNCIL MOVES INTO EXECUTIVE A motion was made by Swarm and SESSION AT 8:21 P.M.: seconded by Stunkel to move into Executive Session at 8:21 p.m. under 5ILCS120/2 for personnel matters of the hiring, firing or discipline of an employee. Roll Call: Swarm, yea; B. John Clark, yea; Hobler, yea; Crawford, yea; Lester, yea; Hubler, yea; Rebbe, yea; Stunkel, yea. Motion carried. 7 EXECUTIVE SESSION ENDED AT 8:55 Executive Session ended at 8:55 P.M. P.M. Mayor Gottman reconvened the regular REGULAR SESSION RECONVENES AT council meeting at 8:55 P.M. with a 8:55 P.M.: roll call: Crawford, yea; Swarm, yea; Lester, yea; Stunkel, yea; Clark, yea; Hobler, yea; Rebbe, yea; Hubler, yea. NO ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE There was no action taken from SESSION: Executive Session. ADJOURNMENT: There being nothing further to discuss a motion was made by Crawford and seconded by Stunkel to adjourn. Motion carried. _________________ CITY CLERK 8