City Council

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting September 17, 2018 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. MOMENT OF SILENCE: A motion of silence was observed for Doloris J. Carroll who passed away over the weekend. She was a former manager of Henry’s Restaurant in Vandalia. ROLL CALL: Barker, yea; B. John Clark, yea; Stunkel, yea; Hobler, yea; Lester, yea; Crawford, yea; Hubler, yea; Rebbe, absent. MINUTES: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Crawford approving the minutes from September 4, 2018. Motion carried. REGULAR BILLS: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Barker approving the regular bills as presented. Motion carried. SPECIAL COUNCIL BILLS: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Barker approving the Special Bills as presented: Peckham Guyton & Albers in the amount of $7,555.00 for professional services on the Comprehensive Plan; McCarty’s Auto Body in the amount of $2,228.25 to repair Chief Ray’s 2014 Dodge 1  Truck; Saltus Technologies in the amount of $2,024.52 for software for the police department; PMSI in the amount of $3,023.16 for Thermo 125 Mil Vandalia Asphalt Service in the amount of $1,530.45 for HFE 300 oil; South Central FS, Inc. in the amount of $4,772.32 for tire service, fuel and wheel alignment; Dennis Grubaugh in the amount of $26,000.00 for TIF reimbursement for project at 425 W. Gallatin; Vandalia City Garage in the amount of $6,941.28 for oil changes, gasoline and equipment repairs; Brenntag Mid South, Inc. in the amount of $3,570.46 for chemicals; Hawkins, Inc. in the amount of $4,972.76 chemicals; Kaskaskia Springs Water in the amount $2,025.00 for 5.064 million delivered energy pass thru; Direct Energy in the amount of $5,121.80 for electric; Vandevanter Engineering in the amount of $9,795.03 for pump repair for the Flygt from the prison lift station. Motion carried. FIRST READING OF CLASS E LIQUOR A first reading for a request from LICENSE APPLICATION FOR Christina Matinez for a Class E CHRISTINA MARTINEZ: liquor license for a restaurant at the corner of Kennedy Blvd. & Gallatin Street. Ms. Martinez was present for the meeting stating that she plans on serving Mexican & American food in her restaurant. The council will act on this at the October 1st council meeting. STREETS COMMITTEE MEETING A motion was made by B. John Clark MINUTES FROM AUGUST 6, 2018: and seconded by Stunkel approving the Streets Committee Meeting Minutes from August 6, 2018 as submitted. Motion carried. 2  A motion was made by Barker and seconded by Hobler approving the bid from Westendorf Construction in the amount of $11,200 to replace the roof on the Vandalia Senior Citizens Center. Motion carried. The work shall be completed in accordance with the specifications supplied by Dan Barenfanger, Building & Zoning Official. All bidders were required to have an unlimited roofing license issued by the state. It was the consensus of the council APPROVE OR REJECT WATER & SEWER not to increase water rates for city RATE ADJUSTMENTS: residents at this time. Alderman Clark said that he was in favor of a rate increase. He felt that the city should bump it a little so we don’t have to do so much later. He also said we do know that because of the water plant, water rates are going to go up. Clark said he hoped to get a head start on funding the new water plant project. Hobler said that he did not agree on an increase at this point. He felt we should leave it alone. The city hasn’t lost money this year. He mentioned that we are asking the citizens to vote for a sales tax increase. We need to show some good faith towards the taxpayers to try and get them to show us some good faith come the ballot. That way they’re not solely bearing the burden. Crawford added that the city has a little bit of a buffer too, because even figuring in the pension that is paying for itself at the moment, 3  we’re still ahead. The council agreed on getting the word out about getting the sales tax passed by stressing the importance of talking to citizens and encouraging them to vote in favor of an increased sales tax to offset increases on residents’ water bills. RESOLUTION APPROVING A resolution approving Tower/Lease TOWER/LEASE AGREEMENT: Agreement with Rural Comm was tabled due to additional information needed. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gottman announced that today the checks were signed for the clean- up at Capitol View Restaurant. Mayor Gottman said that he spoke with the owner of the property and he said that he is looking at rebuilding. Mayor Gottman reported that PGAV continues to work on the Comprehensive Plan for the city. The enterprise zone was approved and waiting on the signed documents at this time. Mayor Gottman will be attending the IML Conference in Chicago this week. Also attending the conference in Chicago will be City Administrator LaTisha Paslay, Economic Development Director, Amber Daulbaugh and City Attorney Ryan Connor. CITY CLERK: City Clerk Peggy Bowen announced petitions for the Consolidated Election for April 2, 2019 can be picked up in her office tomorrow. The first day to circulate petitions will be tomorrow. The first day to file will be December 10th and last day to file will be December 17th. 4  There will be one alderman from each ward elected by the public. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: Marty Huskey reported that they are finishing up on flushing fire hydrants. Hobler stated that the lake will close for season October 13th. Barker announced that the Tourism Committee continues to work on events for the Olde Tyme Christmas. AUDIENCE: Lucas Watson, Candidate for Fayette County Treasurer introduced himself to the council. COUNCIL MOVES INTO EXECUTIVE A motion was made by Stunkel and SESSION AT 8:03 P.M.: seconded by Hubler to move into Executive Session at 8:03 P.M. under 5ILCS120/2 for sale or acquisition of land or property & personnel matters. Roll Call: Lester, yea; Barker, yea; Stunkel, yea; Hobler, yea; Hubler, yea; Crawford, yea; B. John Clark, yea. Motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION ENDED AT 8:33 Executive Session ended at 8:33 p.m. P.M.: ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Gottman reported that the city had the opportunity to purchase a piece of property (one lot) on Fifth Street thru the county’s Tax Liquidation Program in the consideration of $815.00. It was the consensus of the council not to purchase the property on Fifth Street. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Hubler to adjourn. Motion carried. 5 6 7 8