MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD AT THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 914 N. EASTON ST., STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2019
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, August 26, 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, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Attorney Phil Lading, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, Police Chief Jeff Doerr and Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.
NOT ATTENDING: Alderman Anthony Schrauth.
ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE: Alderman Jeff Scanzoni.
IV. APPOINTMENT AND OATH OF OFFICE
Motion by Wallace, second by Plenske to approve Resolution #2019-15 Appointing Ailee Taylor To The Position Of Ward 4 Alderman For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
City Clerk Stiegemeier Administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Ward 4 Alderman Ailee Taylor.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Johnson moved, seconded by Plenske to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting – 08/12/2019
Executive Session – 08/12/2019
Collector’s Report
State of Illinois (MFT Allotment)--$11,878.54
State of Illinois (Telecommunications Tax)--$7,534.78
State of Illinois (Pulltabs & Jar Games)--$930.26
State of Illinois (Income Tax)--$34,548.95
State of Illinois (Use Tax)--$13,412.36
MJM Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$294.26
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (FTA Warrant Fee)--$70.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$39.23
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$2.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$943.46
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (DUI Fund)--$69.23
Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$400.00
Staunton Police Department (Registrations)--$70.00
First National Bank (Balloon Glow Donation)--$500.00
Staunton Balloon Glow (Tethered Ride Receipts)--$283.00
Staunton Area Ambulance Service (Dispatch Fee)--$500.00
Ameren Illinois (Utility Tax)--$19,636.98
Music Performance Trust (Band Salary Reimbursement)--$630.00.
Staunton Soccer Club (Fence Reinforcement at Soccer Fields)--$4,081.30
Applications
Claims
August 26, 2019
Business Licenses Issued
Green Room Gaming (Video Gaming License)
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Schrauth.
ABSTAIN: Taylor.
Motion declared carried 6 Ayes; 1 Abstain.
VI. GUESTS
Terry Tevini was in attendance to question the Council as to what was going on with
the hiring of the Ordinance Official. Alderman Bodner explained that since the City
advertised for the hiring of the Ordinance Official, the Zoning Administrator for the
City of Staunton has also resigned. Since this has happened, Bodner explained that
the City is considering to make this all one position, and possibly even a full time
position. Tevini asked when this will happen and Bodner stated that hopes are to
advertise the beginning of September, go through the interview process, and hopefully hire someone in October. Tevini asked who would be doing the interviewing and Bodner explained that three people would be doing the interviewing and a point system would be used for each applicant. After a brief discussion, Bodner stated that it would be in the best interest of the City to combine the two positions. Tevini also brought up some concerns that he had with the property at 711 North Union. Attorney Lading stated that this is a police issue and the discussion regarding this property is over.
Ben Melosi was also present to discuss the liquor license application Ordinance that is on the agenda. Mayor Neuhaus stated that he would call on Mr. Melosi prior to the vote of the Ordinance.
VII . CORRESPONDENCE
The Staunton Police Department received a note from Carson Rantanen, thanking them for the escorts they provided for him when he participated in State High School Track Meets.
VIII. TREASURER’S REPORT
Investments recently cashed in at Bank of Springfield CDARS Program:
Civic Improvement Fund--$50,000.00 plus $302.60 interest
General Fund--$200,000.00 plus $1,184.66 interest
Insurance Fund--$25,000.00 plus $148.08 interest
IMRF Fund--$25,000.00 plus $148.08 interest
Sewer Fund--$200,000.00 plus $1,184.66 interest
TIF 1 Fund--$25,000.00 plus $148.08 interest
TIF 2 Fund--$25,000.00 plus $148.08 interest
Water Fund--$150,000.00 plus $878.84 interest
Storm Water Fund--$25,000.00 plus $146.47 interest
Depreciation Fund--$25,000.00 plus $146.47 interest
Telecommunications Fund--$50,000.00 plus $292.95 interest
Infrastructure Fund--$250,000.00 plus $498.97 interest
Infrastructure Fund--$50,000.00 plus $296.16 interest
FICA Fund--$30,000.00 plus $177.70 interest
Bond/Interest Fund--$25,000.00 plus $148.08 interest
Tourism Fund--$25,000.00 plus $148.08 interest
Reserve Fund--$10,000.00 plus $59.24 interest
IX. CITY CLERK’S REPORT
City Hall Office will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2019 in observance of the
Labor Day Holiday. All public works employees, except for one water treatment plant employee, will be off that day as well.
X. COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -
Nothing to report.
PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –
Motion by Hanks, seconded by Plenske to table Invoice #19-2235 to Illinois Codification Services for work completed on Zoning Code updates in the amount of $1,842.50. Hanks explained that the reason he is making this motion is to determine who authorized changes to the Zoning Code. Alderman Bodner explained that the Zoning Administrator had met with the Codifier to make these changes. Alderman Johnson stated that changes were made that weren’t approved by the Council, and he
feels that the Council should know who authorized them. At roll call vote; Ayes: Hanks, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Abstain: Taylor. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried 6 Ayes; 1 Abstain.
FINANCE–
Nothing to report.
UTILITIES-
Nothing to report.
STREET –
Nothing to report.
PUBLIC GROUNDS-
Nothing to report.
TOURISM –
Nothing to report.
PERSONNEL –
Motion by Bodner, seconded by Plenske to approve Estimate #13996 from Illini Tech Services for Microsoft Exchange Managed Email Services for City of Staunton emails at a cost of $10.00 per email, per month, as well as approving an estimated migration cost not to exceed $2,000.00. Ayes: Plenske, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Abstain: Taylor. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried 6 Ayes; 1 Abstain.
ANNEXATION –
Nothing to report.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Nothing to report.
JUDICIARY—
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2012 Approving A Charity Roadblock By Adopt-A-Pet At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union (October 12, 2019). Ayes: Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2012 Approving A Charity Roadblock By Adopt-A-Pet At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union (October 12, 2019). Ayes: Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2013 Approving A Charity Roadblock By The Staunton Knights Of Columbus To Conduct Their Annual Tootsie Roll Drive At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union (September 20 and 21, 2019). Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2013 Approving A Charity Roadblock By The Staunton Knights Of Columbus To Conduct Their Annual Tootsie Roll Drive At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union (September 20 and 21, 2019). Ayes: Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni. Nayes: None. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
Ben Melosi from Grand River Jackpot was in attendance to address the Council regarding the following Ordinance. He stated that his company is working with convenience stores, going in to set them up with video gaming, to help with generating revenue for the businesses. Alderman Wallace asked if this went through the Liquor Commission and Mayor Neuhaus stated that it did a few months ago. Attorney Lading stated that all this is doing is converting their current “B” license to a Class “A” license. Alderman Bodner asked where the gaming room would be, and it would be where one of the sleeping rooms are now.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks, to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2014 Amending The Liquor Code For The City Of Staunton, Illinois (increasing Class A Licenses from 8 to 9 and decreasing Class B Licenses from 5 to 4). Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Plenske, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Abstain: Wallace. Motion carried 6 Ayes; 1 Abstain.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2014 Amending The Liquor Code For The City Of Staunton, Illinois (increasing Class A Licenses from 8 to 9 and decreasing Class B Licenses from 5 to 4). Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Plenske,
Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Abstain: Taylor. Absent: Schrauth. Motion carried.
XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—
During the last meeting it was suggested the reason for Zoning Officer Michelle Streeb and Alderman Ryan Pritchett’s resignations were due to an email exchange. It is important to note Zoning Officer Streeb'sresignation was submitted and dated August 5th, 2019. The Email string referenced by AlderpersonBodner started on August 7th, 2019. Not sure how anyone could think someone is able to take offense and/orumbrage to something that had not yet happened.
I have spoken with Ryan and I am not willing to question his motives or reasons stated. He is avery involved family man who has his priorities intact as it relates to hischildren and family as a whole. He is anhonorable man who was such an asset to the City and his guidance and inputespecially as it pertains to Finance will be sorely missed.
I would suggest at this time as Alderpersons instead of manufacturingissues, we should keep our personal feelings out of City Business and keep to the facts and matters at hand.
Alderman Wallace added that she would like the records to show the dates of the emails that were exchanged and she hoped that something like this doesn’t happen again. Wallace feels that it is a positive move to improve the email system. She also stated that it was unfortunate that we had these issues, but will move forward from here on. She doesn’t think that this will be a hindrance in everyone working together and we will continue to move forward.
XII. NEW BUSINESS—
Alderman Bodner stated that the Staunton Area Emergency Management Council will
be holding a Safety Vendor Fair on September 28, 2019 at Net Community Church
from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. A flyer will be going out to promote the event. This is in conjunction with National Preparedness Month. Several resources will be available for attendees to utilitze in case of a possible disaster.
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION—
No Executive Session was held.
XV. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION –
No motions were made from Executive Session.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Bodner, seconded by Councilmember Plenske to adjourn at 7:27 PM. All present voting aye, motion carried.
Prepared by:
Dennis K. Stiegemeier City Clerk