City Council

CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting September 16, 2019 6:30 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 6:30 P.M. ROLL CALL: Barker, yea; Brosman, yea; Stunkel, yea; Hobler, yea; Lester, yea; Hubler, yea; Rebbe, yea. Crawford was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Hobler approving the minutes from September 3, 2019. Motion carried. REGULAR BILLS: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Hobler approving the regular bills as presented. Motion carried. TREASURER’S REPORT: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Barker approving the Treasurer’s Report for audit. Motion carried. SPECIAL COUNCIL BILLS: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Barker approving the Special Bills as presented: Timmermann & Company in the amount of $31,500.00 for audit fees; Ameren Illinois in the amount of $21,158.57 for electric; Hosick Motors in the amount of $2,934.85 for Durango repairs; Saltus Technologies in the amount for $2,024.52 for annual 1  software maintenance and support agreement; Vandalia Asphalt in the amount of $3,505.32 for patch mix; South Central FS in the amount of $4,259.31 for fuel; Kathleen Field Orr & Associates in the amount of $1,551.00 for professional services for TIF; R E Pedrotti Co., Inc. in the amount of $3,001.01 for L0237-10 W/E 7000-000MW-512DR; Brenntag Mid South, Inc. in the amount of $5,073.90 for chemicals; Hawkins, Inc. in the amount of $5,741.93 for activated carbon; Kaskaskia Springs Water in the amount of $2,349.60 for 5.874 million gallons of water and $693.11 for energy pass thru; Upper Midwest Archaeolo in the amount of $1,600.00 for research & fieldwork; Municipal Equipment Company in the amount of $6,416.75 for Doppler flow meter and chart records. Motion carried. PRESENTATION OF THE FY 2019 Dale Timmermann along with Tricia AUDIT: Elam with Timmermann and Co. presented the fiscal year 2019 audit to the council. Timmermann told the council that the city’s water system expenses for the year ending April 30th totaled $1,730,494. That is $142,611 more than those for the year ending April 30, 2018. The sewer system expenses for that same time period was $1,061,688. Which is $161,936. More than the 2018 total of $899,752. One reason for the increases in expenses was the health insurance holiday the city took last year. Because of that, $300,000 was added to this year’s expenses for water and $100,000 for sewer. 2  The city did not pay into its health insurance fund last year because it had well over $1 million dollars in it and didn’t need to keep putting money into it if you weren’t spending it. Because of that, last year’s expenses were below revenues. Timmermann also reminded the council that they did not increase rates for the past three years. Timmermann presented examples of rate increases that will take place October 1 . st After further discussion a motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Brosman approving the audit as presented. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF WATER & SEWER RATE Chairman of the Water and Sewer INCREASE: Committee Brett Brosman told the council that there is an ordinance in place that if the council does nothing tonight automatically the customers will experience starting with the October billing an 8.98% increase in water rates and an 18.00% increase in sewer rates. The Water & Sewer Committee recommended an increase of 7.34% for water and a 16.92% for sewer. Brosman said, personally, I think we should do nothing, and let the ordinance for water & sewer rates go into effect. It came to the council as a recommendation from the committee to go with the lesser amount which is 7.34% for water & 16.92% for sewer. 3  A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Brosman to go with the recommendation of the committee which will raise the water rates to 7.34% and the sewer rates to 16.92. Those in favor of the increase were Stunkel, Barker, Lester, Rebbe, Brosman and Hubler. Hobler was the only dissenting vote. Crawford was not present for the meeting. ORDINANCE #2019-9-16-A: AMENDING A motion was made by Stunkel and THE VANDALIA MUNICIPAL CODE AT seconded by Barker Approving TITLE V BUSINESS LICENSE AND Ordinance #2019-9-16-A, Amending The REGULATIONS AT SECTION 5.08.070 Vandalia Municipal Code At Title V NUMBER OF LICENSES: Business License And Regulations At Section 5.08.070 Number of Licenses. This is a request from Amy Gaffney for a Class E liquor license for the Copper Penny. Not more than Ten (10) Class E Licenses shall be currently in effect at any one time. Roll call vote: Hubler, yea; Barker, yea; Stunkel, yea; Hobler, yea; Rebbe, yea; Brosman, yea; Lester, yea and Crawford was absent. Motion carried. RESIGNATION OF ALBERT SCHUMACHER A motion was made Stunkel and FROM THE BOARD OF FIRE & POLICE seconded by Hobler accepting the COMMISSIONERS: resignation of Albert Schumacher from the city’s Board of Fire & Police Commissioners, for health reasons. Motion carried. APPOINTMENT OF MIKE KOONCE TO A motion was made by Barker and THE BOARD OF FIRE & POLICE seconded by Stunkel approving the COMMISSIONERS: appointment of Mike Koonce to the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners, replacing Al Schumacher. 4 MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gottman announced that Mark Burnam has asked to be removed from the Police Pension Board. A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Hobler approving the resignation of Mark Burnam from the Police Pension Board. Motion carried. Mayor Gottman reported that he along with LaTisha Paslay and Amber Daulbaugh will be attending the IML Conference in Chicago this week. Mayor Gottman gave a brief update on the liquor ordinance. Mayor Gottman is getting information from neighboring cities around us and once we have received that we will have the Economic Development Committee meet to discuss the data Mayor Gottman reported on the rental house that it needs a new roof. The cost to repair the roof is $5,000.00. To put a new roof on is about $15,000.00. Mayor Gottman recommended that the city put the house out for bid since the city doesn’t need it any longer. It was the consensus of the council to repair the roof and put the house out for bid. Mayor Gottman stated that the attorney is still working on the lease agreement for the 99 year leases at the Vandalia Lake. Mayor Gottman authorized the sale of personal property, it is no longer necessary or useful for the city to continue holding such personal property so we will bid the vehicles along with the Marathon sign at the 5  lake with the right to reject any or all bids. On Eighth Street a group painted the Vandal logo on the street throughout the Homecoming weekly events. Mayor Gottman reported that the work on the coffee shop is moving forward. Mayor Gottman reported that several mayors in Fayette County along with the county board met last week to discuss marijuana. Mayor Gottman said they are working on having a county-wide town hall meeting that would be held in Vandalia. A tentatively meeting for October 10th was set. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: Barker reported that the Street Department had numerous water breaks again. Hobler said that he needed to schedule a Public Safety Meeting. The Fire Chief asked to meet to talk about updating some equipment. The city is seeking bids to repair and waterproof an exterior masonry wall and remodel of the interior of the Public Safety Building. All bids are due by Friday, September 27th at 10:00 a.m. Stunkel reported that the air- conditioning at the Senior Citizens Center is experiencing some problems. Paslay said, she would contact her tomorrow. Stunkel reported that the Lake Committee met prior to the council meeting and felt that everything went well. 6  Barker brought up the Tourism Center. Requesting that $250.00 be spent on the deck correct and rescrew and secure some stuff for safety reasons on the ramp going into the entrance. The public works department will do the work. Paslay gave an update from the Tourism Center that was given to her by Jessica Hampton. With a few volunteers, Jessica said she is able to have the Tourism Center open Monday thru Friday 9:00 to 5:00. They are making plans for Olde Tyme Christmas which will be on a much larger scale this year. Jessica has been invited to join the Vandalia One Team that represents tourism and travel. The Personnel, Finance and Insurance Committee met earlier this evening to interview candidates for opening at the Water Treatment Plant. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CONCERNS: Barker shared an ordinance in reference to a health and safety ordinance on rental properties. Barker said that this ordinance in order to protect health and safety and welfare of residents of the city pretty well fits our bill. Barker said that we need to look at this ordinance. City Attorney Connor said, one thing that we already have is Section 8.24.010-Under Nuisances Defined Is Dangerous Buildings- To Maintain or permit the existence of any dangerous building within the city; to permit 7  the same to remain in a dangerous condition, or to occupy such building or permit to be occupied while it is or remains in a dangerous condition. Mayor Gottman suggested that Connor and Code Official Zac Kopp meet every other week. There is so much going on that needs to be addressed. You can explain things to him. Hubler said that there are some updates that need to be done on the website. Such as, restaurants need to be updated, skydiving is still listed. Hubler offered to help if needed. Stunkel also reported on a house on the west side of Pump N Pantry that really needs some attention. Lester asked if anything has been done for the exterior alcohol. It will be brought up at a later date. Mayor Gottman said on September 3rd, he received a final draft of the Comprehensive Plan. It will come back to the council then to the Planning Commission. A copy will be given to each council member. COUNCIL MOVES INTO EXECUTIVE A motion was made by Stunkel and SESSION AT 7:27 P.M.: seconded by Barker to move into Executive Session at 7:27 P.M. under 5 ILCS120/2 for possible or pending litigation. Roll call: Stunkel, yea; Rebbe, yea; Barker, yea; Hubler, yea; Lester, yea; Brosman, yea; Hobler, yea. Motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION ENDS AT 7:38 Executive Session ended at 7:38 P.M. P.M.: 8 REGULAR SESSION RECONVENES AT Mayor Gottman reconvened the regular 7:39 P.M.: council meeting at 7:39 P.M. will a roll call: Hobler, yea; Lester, yea; Brosman, yea; Stunkel, yea; Barker, yea; Hubler, yea; Rebbe, yea. NO ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE There was no action taken from SESSION: Executive Session. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Hubler to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. ___________________ CITY CLERK 9 10 11