City Council Meeting Minutes--December 11, 2017

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 914 NORTH EASTON ST., STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2017

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, December 11, 2017

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Mayor Craig Neuhaus led the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

III. ROLL CALL:

City Clerk Stiegemeier called roll with the following persons

ATTENDING: Councilmembers Rich Garde, Rick Johnson, Bill Boster, Chad Plenske, Ryan Pritchett, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, Attorney John Gilbert, Public Works Director Mike Kuethe and Police Chief Jeff Doerr.

NOT ATTENDING: Alderwoman Maria Bodner, Alderman Jeff Scanzoni and City Attorney Phil Lading.

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Plenske to suspend regular order of business to address Resolution #2017-21. Ayes: Garde, Johnson, Boster, Plenske, Pritchett. Nayes: None. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion carried.

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Plenske to approve Resolution #2017-21 Appointing Raymond Scroggins To The Position Of Ward 2 Alderman For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Johnson, Boster, Plenske, Pritchett, Garde. Nayes: None. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion carried.

City Clerk Stiegemeier administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Ward 2 Alderman Raymond Scroggins

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

Johnson moved, seconded by Plenske to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:

Minutes

Regular Meeting – 11/27/2017

Collector’s Report

Fred Stein Memorials (City of Staunton Parks)--$505.00

Staunton Super 8 Motel (Hotel / Motel Tax)--$1,856.33

Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$100.00

Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$10.00

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Court Fine Disbursement)--$1,637.72

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$6.00

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (FTA Warrant Fee)--$137.30

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$109.00

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (DUI Fund)--$764.00

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Restitution)--$10.00

State of Illinois (Personal Property Replacement Tax)--$523.32

State of Illinois (MFT Tax)--$11,572.53

State of Illinois (Sales Tax)--$46,830.09

Applications

Claims

December 11, 2017

Business Licenses Issued

Staunton FFA Alumni Association (Raffle License)

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Scroggins, Boster, Plenske, Pritchett, Garde, Johnson.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: Bodner, Scanzoni.

Motion declared carried.

V. GUESTS

Mayor Neuhaus told guests present, that if they wanted to speak regarding the Zoning Ordinance on the agenda, he would give them the opportunity to address the Council before the vote of the Ordinance.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE

VII. TREASURER’S REPORT

VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT

City Hall Office will be closed on Friday December 22, 2017 and Monday, December

25, 2017 for the Christmas Holiday, and also closed on Monday, Janaury 1, 2018 for the New Year Holiday. All public works employees, except for one water treatment plant employee, will be off those days as well.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -

Nothing to report.

PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –

Nothing to report.

FINANCE–

Motion by Pritchett, seconded by Garde to approve 2018 Workers Compensation Renewal with Illinois Public Risk Fund at a cost of $55,338.00. Ayes: Boster, Plenske, Pritchett, Garde, Johnson, Scroggins. Nayes: None. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion carried.

Motion by Pritchett, seconded by Garde to pay Invoice #9189 to Bruckert, Gruenke & Long, P.C. for Professional Services rendered regarding TIF correspondence in the amount of $2,937.10. Ayes: Plenske, Pritchett, Garde, Johnson, Scroggins, Boster. Nayes: None. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion carried.

UTILITIES-

Motion by Boster, seconded by Pritchett to accept low bid from McGhee Heating and Air for installation of a hanging furnace at the water treatment plant in the amount of $3,676.00. Ayes: Pritchett, Garde, Johnson, Scroggins, Boster, Plenske. Nayes: None. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion carried.

STREET-

Nothing to report.

PUBLIC GROUNDS-

Nothing to report.

TOURISM –

Nothing to report.

PERSONNEL –

Nothing to report.

ANNEXATION –

Nothing to report.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES –

Nothing to report.

JUDICIARY—

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Boster to approve Ordinance #1916 Increasing Minimum Bid Amounts For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Garde, Johnson, Scroggins, Boster, Plenske, Pritchett. Nayes: None. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion carried.

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Pritchett to approve Ordinance #1917 Authorizing The Levy And Collection Of Taxe For The Corporate And Municipal Purposes Of The City Of Staunton, Macoupin County, Illinois, For The Fisacl Year Beginning May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018. Ayes: Johnson, Scroggins, Boster, Plenske, Pritchett, Garde. Nayes: None. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion carried.

Prior to the vote of the next Ordinance (#1918), Mayor Neuhaus asked if any guests present wanted to address the Council. John Koniak, who lives at 320 East 6th Street told the Council that he strongly opposes the approval of this pole barn being built. He stated that he has lived in this home 48 of his 53 years, and he feels that this would really bring property values down in the area. He is very concerned with a large pole barn being built in a residential neighborhood, with the pole barn being bigger and taller that the rest of the homes in the area. John stated that the Kershaw’s purchased this property, but are having trouble selling it, and he didn’t feel this was his problem due to a bad investment. John and his brother, Paul Koniak, showed a great deal of concern for the integrity of the neighborhood if the building is approved. He again stated that he is strongly opposed to this happening. Tami Kershaw stated that she bought the property to help her Aunt Lucille DalPozzo, and Tami doesn’t feel that they purchased it as a bad investment. Cheri Scroggins stated that she would be against a building like this being built if it were in her neighborhood. She too felt that it would lower property values. Andy Fritz questioned the last time a building permit was issued in this area. No one was sure of an exact answer, but guessed it may have been as long as 15 years. Andy asked John Koniak if he felt that this building would cause hostility in the neighborhood and John said he didn’t feel that was the case, but he did say that he would not be happy about it. He has also talked to several other neighbors, and they weren’t happy about the building being built either. John stated that Andy can’t build this building at his current residence because a building of this type is prohibited in his subdivision. Andy stated that even if he could build it, he would have no access as there isn’t enough room to put in a driveway. With no further discussion, the vote was taken.

Motion by Johnson,, seconded by Garde to approve Ordinance #1918 Granting A Zoning Variance For Property Located At 311 East Sixth Street, Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Boster, Pritchett. Nayes: Garde, Johnson, Scroggins, Plenske. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion failed 2 Ayes; 4 Nayes:

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Plenske to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #1921 Amending Chapter Seven, Article Six Of The Staunton Revised Code Of Ordinances. Ayes: Johnson, Scroggins, Boster, Plenske, Pritchett, Garde. Nayes: None. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion carried.

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Garde to approve Ordinance #1921 Amending Chapter Seven, Article Six Of The Staunton Revised Code Of Ordinances. Ayes: Scroggins, Boster, Plenske, Pritchett, Garde, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Bodner, Scanzoni. Motion carried.

X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—

Nothing to report.

XI. NEW BUSINESS-

Discussion regarding second City Council Meeting on December 26, 2017 (to be held or not). Mayor Neuhaus has requested that we hold this meeting. Alderman Pritchett stated that he will not be able to attend. Note this meeting will be held on Tuesday, due to the Christmas Day holiday falling on Monday.

XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION—

No Executive Session was held.

XIII. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION –

.

No motions were made from Executive Session.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Plenske, seconded by Councilmember Garde to adjourn at 7:21 P.M. All present voting aye, motion carried.

Prepared by:

Dennis K. Stiegemeier City Clerk