MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, 914 NORTH EASTON ST., STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. on Monday, June 8, 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: Aldermen Brooke Wallace, Rick Johnson, Randy Hanks, Chad Plenske and Jeff Scanzoni, Mayor Craig Neuhaus and City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier.
ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE: Aldermen Maria Bodner, Ryan Machota, Ailee Taylor, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, City Attorney Phil Lading and Police Chief Jeff Doerr.
NOT ATTENDING: Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.
The Open Meetings Act requires that a quorum of members of the public body by physically present at the meeting location and allows for limited circumstances in which remote access is acceptable. However, Executive Order 2020-07, issued by Governor Pritzker on March 16, 2020, suspends the in-person presence requirements at this time, due to the COVID-19 Virus outbreak, and eliminates the limitation on remote access at this time.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Johnson moved, seconded by Scanzoni to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting – 05/26/2020
Collector’s Report
Ameren Illinois (Utility Tax)--$18,266.40
Staunton Super 8 Motel (Hotel/Motel Tax)--$778.15
Staunton Police Department (Finger Printing)--$20.00
Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$5.00
First American Title Insurance Co. (Buyer Refund – 114 S. Elm St.)--$1,023.81
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$711.24
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (FTA Warrant Fee)--$70.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (DUI Fund)--$76.92
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$2.00
Southwestern Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$831.71
State of Illinois (Sales Tax)--$48,968.93
State of Illinois (MFT Tax)--$7,166.01
Applications
None
Monthly Reports
Distributed by Bookkeeper
Claims
June 8, 2020
Business Licenses Issued
None
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
Motion declared carried.
V. GUESTS
Leonard Broderick addressed the Council regarding a zoning variance that is on the agenda for approval this evening. The Broderick’s had a garage fire on March 6 that destroyed their garage and this was caused from a neighbor’s garage fire. Mr. Broderick is wanting to build the garage in the same place as the old garage, but it doesn’t meet the required set backs. A Public Hearing was held, and from the Findings of Fact from the hearing, the recommendation from the Zoning Hearing Attorney is to grant the variance. Mr. Broderick was asking the Council to waive the first reading of the Ordinance, granting the variance, and approve the same tonight so he could begin his project.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE
Received a letter from Vickie Renner of Pearl Essence Studio requesting to close North Wood Street from Main Street going north to the dead end on Saturday, June 27, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. for the Pearl Essence Studio’s 1st Anniversary Celebration. The east/west alley between North Wood and North Elm Streets will remain open. A copy of the letter is attached with the agenda packet.
VII. TREASURER’S REPORT
Nothing to report.
VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT
Received an email from the Illinois Municipal League, and due to the COVID-19 restrictions, they have decided to cancel their annual IML Conference, which was to be held in September, in Chicago
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -
Motion by Taylor, seconded by Wallace to grant request from Pearl Essence Studio to close North Wood Street from Main Street going north to the dead end on Saturday, June 27, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. for the Pearl Essence Studio’s 1st Anniversary Celebration. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Plenske, Taylor, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.