City Council Meeting Minutes--April 8, 2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE RALPH & JOSEPHINE OLTMANN COMMUNITY CENTER, 101 W. PEARL ST., STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

            Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, April 8, 2024.

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 David Manning, David Dias, Kristy Berg, Ryan Machota, Matthew McKee and Terry Tipler, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Attorney Phil Lading, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok and Police Chief Jeff Doerr. 

            NOT ATTENDING:  Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.

   IV.    CONSENT AGENDA

Tipler moved, seconded by Dias to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:

Minutes 

           Regular Meeting – 03/25/2024

Collector’s Report

                                Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$300.00

                                Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$10.00

                                State of Illinois (Reimbursement for Basic Police Academy Training)--$13,360.00

                                Staunton Super 8 Motel (Hotel/Motel Tax)--$2,079.09

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$721.73

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Arrest Agency Fee)--$224.00

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$12.00

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$1.00

                                Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (DUI Fund)--$15.38

                                State of Illinois (MFT Allotment)--$8,199.58

                                State of Illinois (MFT Renewal Fund Allotment)—8,316.80

                                State of Illinois (Personal Property Replacement Tax)--$2,703.61

Applications

                        Thomas Sorbie (Police Officer)

            Monthly Reports

                        Distributed by City Clerk’s Office

            Claims

                        April 8, 2024

Business Licenses Issued 

                        Zion Lutheran PTL (Raffle License)

                        Chills Brothers (Solicitor’s License)

                        Prolux Energy (Solicitor’s License)

            Roll Call Vote

            AYES:   Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning.

            NAYS:   None.

            ABSENT:  None.

            Motion declared carried.

V.        GUESTS

            No guests were present to speak.

VI.      CORRESPONDENCE

Received a letter from Madison Communications notifying the City of their success in exceeding customer protection requirements for the 2023 year.   A copy of the letter and report is included with the agenda packet.

Received an email from Zion Lutheran School requesting permission to close Henry Street from Wood to Elm Street on April 24, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. for a Touch-A Truck Event.

Received a letter or resignation from full time police Officer Austin Brown.  His last date of employment will be April 7, 2024.

VII.     TREASURER’S REPORT

Nothing to report.

VIII.   CITY CLERK’S REPORT

If you haven’t already done so, please be sure to get your Economic Interest Statements submitted to Macoupin County Clerk Pete Duncan by May 1, 2024. 

The City has been notified by Norfolk / Southern Railroad that they will be closing the crossings at Mill Street and 4th Street for track improvements.  This will start on April 15th and last approximately one week. 

IX.      COMMITTEE REPORTS

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY  -

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias granting request to Zion Lutheran School to close Henry Street from Wood to Elm Street on April 24, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. for a Family Touch-A-Truck Event.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Quote from Staunton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for a 2024 Durango Police Vehicle at a cost of $45,800.03.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

            PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –

Nothing to report.

FINANCE–

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to pay Invoice #9593 from PSC Engineering for Inspection Work on the West Frontage Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project in the amount of $9,310.00.  This will be paid from Line Item 37.71.855.0.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to approve Partial Pay Estimate #2 to Gelly Excavating & Construction for work completed on the West Frontage Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project in the amount of $159,919.34.  $156,000.00 will be paid from Line Item 20.25.890.0 and the balance of $3,919.34 will be paid from Line Item 37.71.855.1.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Manning to pay Invoice #838834 to Sandberg Phoenix for Professional Services rendered for Special Projects in the amount of $1,214.73.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

WATER-

            Nothing to report.

STREET / SEWER

Nothing to report.

            PUBLIC GROUNDS-

Nothing to report.

            TOURISM –

Nothing to report.

            PERSONNEL –

Motion by Dias, seconded by Tipler to hire Bruce Hutton as part time Park & Recreation Department Employee.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Dias, seconded by Manning to approve a 3 percent pay increase to non-union City of Staunton employees, effective May 1, 2024, excluding part time Park & Recreation employees.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Dias, seconded by Tipler to approve pay rate of $16.38 per hour to all part time Park & Recreation  employees, effective May 1, 2024.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

ANNEXATION –

            Nothing to report.

            SPECIAL COMMITTEES –

                         Economic/TIF

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Manning to reimburse Bart & Patty Brauer 75% of the completed expenses as outlined in the the TIF Redevelopment Agreement, for a total of $7,233.89 (75% of $9,645.18).  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:   Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

            JUDICIARY—

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Ordinance #2234 Approving A Charity Roadblock By The Lions Club To Conduct Their Annual Tootsie Pop Day Sale Drive At The Intersection Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried.       

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Ordinance #2236 Approving the Zoning Hearing Granting A Zoning Variance For Real Property Located At 302 Panhorst Street, Staunton, Illinois.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:    Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2237 Approving Adoption Of An Ordinance Of The City Of Staunton, Macoupin County, Illinois, Authorizing The Issuance Of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024, Of The City In The Aggregate Principal Amount Of $1,900,000.00 For The Purpose Of Paying Costs To Renovate And Replace The Gensing Creek Box Culvert Of The City.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:   Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried.

Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to approve Ordinance #2237 Approving Adoption Of An Ordinance Of The City Of Staunton, Macoupin County, Illinois, Authorizing The Issuance Of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024, Of The City In The Aggregate Principal Amount Of $1,900,000.00 For The Purpose Of Paying Costs To Renovate And Replace The Gensing Creek Box Culvert Of The City.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2238 An Ordinance Changing The Name Of A Private Drive Off Windy Hill Road To Park Bench Lane.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Ordinance #2238 An Ordinance Changing The Name Of A Private Drive Off Windy Hill Road To Park Bench Lane.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

1st reading of Ordinance #2239 An Ordinance Making Appropriations For The Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2024 And Ending April 30, 2025

Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to waive 1st reading of Ordinance #2240 Adopting The City’s Udpated Zoning Map And Authorizing Its Publication.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to approve Ordinance #2240 Adopting The City’s Updated Zoning Map And Authorizing Its Publication.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Resolution #2024-05 Appointing Nancy Neuhaus To The Staunton Cemetery Board.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Resolution #2024-06 Appointing Barbara Brown To The Staunton Cemetery Board.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Resolution #2024-07 Authorizing The Execution Of A Redevelopement Agreement With Jeff Roller.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Resolution #2024-08 Authorizing The Execution Of A Redevelopment Agreement With Mississippi Culture, Inc.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:   Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Resolution #2024-09 Approving Contractor’s Application For Payment Number 2 To Kamadulski Excavating For Work Completed And Invoice #9591 To PSC Engineering For Inspection Work On The Gensing Creek Box Culvert Replacement Project ( from March 4, 2024 – March 29, 2024 in the total amount of $262,373.25).  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried.

X.      UNFINISHED BUSINESS—

          Nothing to report.

XI.     NEW BUSINESS-

           Nothing to report.

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 Tipler, seconded by Councilmember Dias to adjourn at 7:11 P.M.  At Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  McKee, Machota, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg.  Nayes:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried.

                                                                        Prepared by:

                                                                        Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk