City Council Meeting Minutes--January 27, 2020

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 914 NORTH EASTON ST., STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2020

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, January 27, 2020

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, Ailee Taylor, 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.

NOT ATTENDING: Alderman Chad Plenske.

ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE: Alderman Jeff Scanzoni.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

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

Minutes

Regular Meeting – 01/13/2020

Collector’s Report

State of Illinois (Sales Tax)--$49,948.38

State of Illinois (Video Gaming Tax)--$6,578.93

State of Illinois (Telecommunications Tax)--$6,351.46

State of Illinois (Income Tax)--$47,028.94

State of Illinois (Use Tax)--$16,514.19

Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$10.00

Staunton Area Ambulance Service (Dispatching Fee)--$500.00

Ameren Illinois (Utility Tax)--$23,703.64

MJM Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$226.18

Madison Communications (Franchise Fee)--$4,017.01

Staunton Super 8 Motel (Hotel / Motel Tax)--$1,757.3

Applications

Leonardo Hernandez, Jr. (Police Officer)

Claims

January 27, 2020

Business Licenses Issued

Concordia Hall (Raffle License)

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: Plenske.

Motion declared carried.

V. GUESTS

VI. CORRESPONDENCE

VII. TREASURER’S REPORT

Investments recently cashed in at Bank of Springfield CDARS Program:

Bond / Interest Fund--$200,000.00 plus $957.81 interest

FICA Fund--$50,000.00 plus $239.45 interest

VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -

Nothing to report.

PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –

Nothing to report.

FINANCE–

Motion by Taylor, seconded by Bodner to approve dumpster rental, not to exceed $7,000.00 for the demolition of property at 627 North Taylor Street, 109 North Laurel Street and 110 South Laurel Street (all owned by the City of Staunton). Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.

WATER-

Nothing to report.

STREET / SEWER

Nothing to report.

PUBLIC GROUNDS-

Nothing to report.

TOURISM –

Nothing to report.

PERSONNEL –

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson to approve hiring Kenneth Lutz as full time Police Officer from the recently approved Full Time Placement List compiled by the Police Commission. Ayes: Hanks, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.

City Clerk Stiegemeier administered the Oath of Office to newly hired full time Police Officer Kenneth Lutz.

ANNEXATION –

Nothing to report.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES –

Nothing to report.

JUDICIARY—

Prior to any motions being made, Alderman Wallace stated that she had emailed City

Clerk Stiegemeier asking to have ordinances and resolutions voted on under their

corresponding committees. Mayor Neuhaus said that this was brought to his

attention and he wanted to have all ordinances and resolutions to remain on the

agenda under the Judiciary Committee Report. Wallace felt that residents are

thinking that she is the one requesting the ordinances and consequently she feels that

she is taking the blame for what has happened at the last couple of meetings. Mayor

Neuhaus stated that he didn’t think that was the case, it was the way that the votes

cast regarding the passing of the ordinances. Mayor Neuhaus told Alderman Wallace

that if she would rather not read the ordinances, he would have another council

member read them.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2044 Approving An Annexation Agreement With Kirk Brashears, Martin Karl & Kara Cummings (Sole Heirs Of Dwight & Shirley Brashears) To Annex Property Located At 20229 Sportsmans Club Lane, Staunton, IL To The City Of Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Hanks, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.

Prior to the following motions being made, Alderman Hanks expressed concern with

waiving the first reading on any ordinances being passed. He stated that he has nothing against anyone involved, but he feels that we should not waive the first reading at one meeting and then waive the first reading at a next meeting. Hanks thinks there is no reason to rush through any ordinances. Alderman Taylor told Mr. Hanks that she respects what he is saying, but she feels that there are circumstances when it is necessary to waive the first reading. Ordinance #2045 is originating from the Zoning Hearing on December 19, 2019, and due to the fact that we didn’t receive the Findings of Fact from the hearing until January 13, 2020, she feels the first reading should be waived as there was fault on the City’s end and this is holding a resident up with his building project. Alderman Johnson commented on waiving the first reading on Ordinance #2046. There was a Liquor Commission Meeting last Monday, (January 20), and the folks that are wanting to buy an existing building were in attendance at that meeting. They are wanting to close as soon as possible on the purchase of the said building, but if their liquor license doesn’t get granted, the sale of the building is off. Johnson feels that since the folks are committed to this location, it is of importance to waive the first reading of Ordinance #2046.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2045 Granting A Zoning Variance For Real Property Located At 311 South Edwardsville Street, Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Johnson. Nayes: Hanks, Wallace. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried 4 Ayes; 2 Nayes.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2045 Granting A Zoning Variance For Real Property Located At 311 South Edwardsville Street, Staunton, Illinois. Ayes: Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2046 Amending The Liquor Code For The City Of Staunton, Illinois By Adding Class “H” Liquor License Classification For Brew Pubs. Ayes: Bodner, Johnson, Taylor, Scanzoni. Nayes: Hanks, Wallace. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried 4 Ayes; 2 Nayes.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson to approve Ordinance #2046 Amending The Liquor Code For The City Of Staunton, Illinois By Adding Class “H” Liquor License Classification For Brew Pubs. Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.

1st reading of Ordinance #2047 Re-Authorizing Solicitation And Opening Of Bids For Real Property Commonly Known As 222 East Macoupin Street At The Regular City Council Meeting On February 10, 2020. Since no bids were received, the deadline to submit bids has been extended past the original time frame.

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson To Approve Resolution #2020-02 Approving Release Of Closed Session Minutes And Authorizing Continuing Retention Of Non-Released Minutes. Attorney Lading has reviewed all of the Executive Session minutes and has made his recommendation. Ayes:

Motion by Bodner, seconded by Johnson to approve Resolution #2020-03 Authorizing An Agreement For The Purchase Of Certain Property (Parcel ID No. 01-002-245-01). Ayes: Hanks, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.

X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—

Nothing to report.

XI. NEW BUSINESS-

Alderman Bodner wanted to commend all of our First Responders. During the past month, there have been multiple structure fires and thanks to everyone for all of their hard work and assistance in their rescue efforts. Two of our Staunton Police Officers helped to rescue children from the burning apartment building on Main Street. Bodner also wanted to thank NET Community Church and the Helping Hands Center, as well as the American Red Cross, for the assistance given to residents that have had to relocate due to the fires.

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 Johnson seconded by Councilmember Bodner to adjourn at 7:21 P.M. All present voting aye, motion carried.

Prepared by:

Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk