City Council Meeting Minutes--August 12, 2019

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 914 NORTH EASTON ST., STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2019

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, August 12, 2019

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 Maria Bodner, Brooke Wallace, Rick Johnson, Randy Hanks, Chad Plenske, Anthony Schrauth, Jeff Scanzoni, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, City Attorney Phil Lading, Public Works Director Mike Kuethe and Police Chief Jeff Doerr.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

Scanzoni moved, seconded by Bodner to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:

Minutes

Regular Meeting – 07/22/2019

Collector’s Report

MJM Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$221.97

State of Illinois Forfeited Funds (Drug Forfeiture)--$1,823.26

State of Illinois (Sales Tax)--$55,307.90

State of Illinois (Personal Property Replacement Tax)--$323.53

Staunton Super 8 Motel (Hotel/Motel Tax)--$2,731.37

Madison Communications (Franchise Fee)--$4,233.78

Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$10.00

Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$200.00

Staunton Area Ambulance Service (Dispatch Fees)--$500.00

Music Performance Trust Fund (Band Reimbursement)--$1,890.00

R.P. Lumber (Drainage Pipe Reimbursement at Stone Creek)--$3,769.92

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Restitution)--$100.00

Applications

Monthly Reports

Distributed by Office Manager

Claims

August 12, 2019

Business Licenses Issued

St. Michael Parish Octoberfest (Liquor License)

Staunton Volunteer Fire Dept. (Liquor License for Balloon Glow)

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Schrauth, Scanzoni, Bodner.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

Motion declared carried.

V. GUESTS

Connie Frey-Spurlock, Director of the SIU-E Successful Communities Collaborative addressed the Council on how the Collaboration Agreement works. The program began back in 2017 and partnered with the City of Highland. They presented an awareness and educational program to prevent opioid abuse in high schools. The next year they partnered with the City of Godfrey and the public health students intereacted with residents while promoting a city-wide recycling program. Last year they partnered with the City of Alton and produced a marketing strategy to attract tourism and economic development as well as developing traffic and transportation recommendations for residential neighborhoods. They will be kicking off a program with the City of Edwardsville this fall evaluating parking solutions for downtown, providing data and suggestions for the new ice rink and teen center and contributing to the Earth Edwardsville plan to protect and preserve areas of historical and environmental issues. When the Collaborative started, they initially had 30 students involved in the program. By the time they partnered with Alton, 100 students were involved. The program in Edwardsville this year will involve nearly 300 students. Connie stated that the goals in the program are to provide rich meaningful experiences for the students to apply when they are out of college. The hope is to get the students excited about the communities they are working in with the hopes of keeping them in those communities. The Council thanked Dr. Frey-Spurlock for her presentation, and in turn she offered her business cards to everyone and encouraged phone calls to her at any time.

Joseph Cisler, of Scout Troop 34, addressed the Council regarding his upcoming Eagle Scout Project. His plans are to re-do the decals on the clock at City Hall, upgrade the lighting to LED lighting and replace the landscaping around the clock. He also plans to refurbish the working mechanism of the clock. The cost of the project is approximately $6,000.00. To fund the project, he will be selling the remaining bricks around the base of the clock at a cost of $100.00 per brick, and the bricks will be engraved. It will cost $15.00 to engrave each brick, so the $85.00 profit from each brick will go toward the cost of the project. The area around the clock will be closed when the work begins. The Dworzynskis from Carlinville will be the company doing the engraving and Eberhart Lighting from Edwardsville will be assisting in the lighting upgrade. Ray Duda is Joseph’s mentor for the project, and he is looking forward to starting this very soon. The Council thanked Joseph for his interest in preserving the clock, and everyone felt that it was a great idea.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE

Received a letter of resignation from part time police officer Lewis Haines III. The letter was dated July 15, 2019 and his resignation was effective immediately.

Received a letter of resignation from Zoning Administrator Michelle Heim-Streeb, effective September 16, 2019.

Received a letter of resignation from Ward 4 Alderman Ryan Pritchett. The letter was brought to City Hall on August 8, 2019.

The Staunton Police Department received a thank you note from “Mary” thanking the officers for everything that they do. A copy of the note is attached to the agenda packet.

VII. TREASURER’S REPORT

Investments recently cashed in at Bank of Springfield CDARS Program:

Water Fund--$50,000.00 plus $897.53 interest

Civic Improvement Fund--$75,000.00 plus $1,346.31 interest

Sewer Fund--$50,000.00 plus $897.53 interest

VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Bodner to approve placing a “Slow – Children Playing” sign in the 500 block of East Macoupin Street, per a signage request form. Wallace stated that this request presented at the last Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting, and the sign requesters were in attendance at the meeting. All Council Members at the meeting agreed to approve the placing of the sign. Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –

Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Plenske to pay Invoice #98468 to Anthony Supply Co. for fencing at the soccer field in the amount of $4,081.30. The Staunton Soccer Club will be reimbursing the City of Staunton for this invoice. Ayes: Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Abstain: Bodner. Motion carried 6 Ayes; 1 Abstain.

FINANCE–

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Plenske to renew health insurance for City of Staunton full time employees from CBIZ Benefit & Insurance Services of Illinois (Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Illinois), effective October 1, 2019. The monthly renewal premium will be $869.25 per employee. Ayes: Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Plenske to approve renewal of City of Staunton Employee Dental, Life, Vision and AD&D Insurance from CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services of Illinois effective November 1, 2019, at a cost of $50.99 per employee, per month (Principal Insurance Co.). Ayes: Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

WATER-

Motion by Schrauth, seconded by Hanks to accept low bid from Midwest Municipal Supply for materials for the Streeb Lane water main in the amount of $16,603.11. The only other bid received was from Schulte Supply, with their bid amount being $17,123.00. Ayes: Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Schrauth, seconded by Johnson to accept low bid from Midwest Municipal Supply for materials to be used for improvements on the Renken Road/VFW Road water line, to bring the line within EPA compliance, in the amount of $9,912.69. The only other bid received was from Schulte Supply, with their bid amount being $10,326.25. Alderman Wallace asked if all of VFW Road water line will be replaced, and Public Works Director Kuethe stated that it would be the section that is currently 1 ½” pipe, and it will be replaced with 3”. The 3” pipe already in place is sufficient. Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Schrauth, seconded by Hanks to pay Invoice dated July 30, 2019 to John H Carwford & Associates for Final Design completed on the IEPA Permit Streeb Lane Water Project in the amount of $2,093.00. This will be paid from the Streeb Lane line item in water. Ayes: Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

STREET / SEWER

Motion by Schrauth, seconded by Plenske to advertise for bids for the sewer main installation from El Indio Restaurant to Herman Road. Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

PUBLIC GROUNDS-

Nothing to report.

TOURISM –

Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Schrauth to spend up to $6,000.00 for Art Fair Expenses. Alderman Wallace asked what amount was budgeted for last year’s Art Fair, and City Clerk Stiegemeier said it was $6,000.00 Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

PERSONNEL –

Prior to the next two motions being made, Alderman Bodner stated she felt that

everyone on the Council knows why Michelle and Ryan resigned regardless of what

their letters of resignation said. Bodner commented that both of these individuals

have put in countless hours to assist the City. And even though they both received a

salary, everyone knows that they don’t do this job for the money. Maria went

on to say that these are not easy jobs and she found it to be embarrassing that it came

to this to make them resign. She also felt that the recent email chain between

an alderman and the Zoning Administrator was the final reason for Heim-Streeb’s

resignation. Maria went on to say that if anyone is on the Council because of their

own personal agendas, they are on for the wrong reason. Alderman Johnson commented the emails were direct and some may have thought they were harsh, but he did not feel that they were not out of line. He himself stated that some accusations were made against him at one time. Bodner came back to say that there have been many disagreements between Council Members, but everyone has always seemed to work through them. She felt that everyone needs to think about how they treat each other and work together. Alderman Wallace went on to say that her reason for an email had to do with changes that were made to the City Code after it had been presented to the Council. Wallace wants to know who made the changes, HeimStreeb or the codification company. Cheri Scroggins asked about emails from former aldermen. Wallace suggested that she put in a FOIA request at City Hall.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Hanks to accept resignation from Zoning Administrator Michelle Heim-Streeb, effective September 16, 2019. Ayes: Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: Bodner. Absent: None. Motion carried 6 Ayes; 1 Naye.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Wallace to accept resignation from Ward 4 Alderman Ryan Pritchett. Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni. Nayes: Bodner. Absent: None. Motion carried 6 Ayes; 1 Naye.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Wallace to approve a SIU Edwardsville Successful Communities Collaborative Agreement between The Board of Trustees of Southen Illinois University, a body politic and corporate of the State of Illinois, governing Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, and the City of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

ANNEXATION –

Nothing to report.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES –

Nothing to report.

JUDICIARY—

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #1998 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Cynthia Belin To Annex Property Located At 19476 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #1999 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Douglas & Mary Ann Wyatt To Annex Property Located At 19544 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson.. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2000 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Sam J. Sharp To Annex Property Located At 19312 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2001 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Joseph R. & Shelia L. Slifka To Annex Property Located At 19168 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL And Parcel ID #01-000-077-02 To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2002 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Michael & Marianna Scheiter To Annex Property Located At 19460 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Ilinois. Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2003 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Ron Heigert To Annex Property Located At 19228 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2004 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Vernon & Julie Parmley To Annex Property Located At 19164 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2005 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Joan K. Crowe To Annex Property Located At 19430 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2006 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Levi J. Rosentretter & Lyndsie S. Springer To Annex Property Located At 19162 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2007 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Michael & Sherry Pirok To Annex Property Located At 19390 Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2008 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Cheryl L. Moore To Annex Property Commonly Known As Streeb Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Plenske to approve Ordinance #2009 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Debra L. Schmidt Trustee Of The Schmidt Revocable Living Trust – Owner And TDS Transport, Inc., By Jeff Schmidt, Director To Annex Property Commonly Know As 98.32 Acres Of Vacant Land, Rock Crusher Road, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Plenske to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2010 Approving An Intergovernmental Agreement With The Staunton Community Unit School District #6 Regarding Reciprocal Reporting Of Criminal Offenses Committed By Students. Ayes: Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2010 Approving An Intergovernmental Agreement With The Staunton Community Unit School District #6 Regarding Reciprocal Reporting Of Criminal Offenses Committed By Students. Ayes: Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2011 Granting A Zoning Variance For Property Located At 213 East Henry St., Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Schrauth, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Abstain: Hanks. Motion carried 6 Ayes; 1 Abstain.

Motion by Wallace, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2011 Granting A Zoning Variance For Property Located At 213 East Henry St., Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Schrauth. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Abstain: Hanks. Motion carried.

X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—

Ray Scroggins was claiming that his former emails had been compromised from a

City Hall employee. He is asking for answers to see if this is the case.

XI. NEW BUSINESS-

Mayor Neuhaus reminded everyone that the Balloon Glow is this coming Saturday, August 17.

City Clerk Stiegemeier had a resident come to City Hall today asking if he could do

metal detecting on the property that the City just purchased at 627 North Taylor. All

Council Members agreed to allow him to do this.

XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION—

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wallace to go in to Executive Session at 7:42 P.M.

to discuss Personnel, Pusuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner,

Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion

carried.

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Plenske to return to regular order of business at

8:26 P.M. Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Schrauth, Plenske.

Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

XIII. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION –

.

No motions were made from Executive Session.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Johnson seconded by Councilmember Wallace to adjourn at 8:27 P.M. All present voting aye, motion carried.

Prepared by:

Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk