City Council Meeting Minutes--August 23, 2021

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, AUGUST 23, 2021

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, August 23, 2021

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, Rick Johnson, Ryan Machota, John Moore, Jeff Scanzoni, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Attorney Phil Lading, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok and Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.

ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE: Police Chief Jeff Doerr.

NOT ATTENDING: Aldermen Randy Hanks and Chad Plenske.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

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

Minutes

Regular Meeting – 08/09/2021

Executive Session – 08/09/2021

Collector’s Report

Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$100.00

Staunton Police Department (Finger Printing)--$10.00

State of Illinois (Income Tax)--$38,219.26

State of Illinois (Use Tax)--$14,288.56

State of Illinois (Cannabis Use Tax)--$537.39

State of Illinois (Video Gaming Tax)--$10,795.92

State of Illinois (Telecommunications Tax)--$5,541.08

MJM Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$298.09

Ameren Illinois (Utility Tax)--$22,274.11

Applications

None

Claims

August 23, 2021 (Expenditures - $21,135.44 / Payroll - $61,987.71 / Manual

Checks - $4,382.00)

Business Licenses Issued

Fleming, Tawfall & Company, PC

McKay Napa Auto Parts (One Day Liquor License)

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Johnson, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: Hanks, Plenske.

Motion declared carried.

V. GUESTS

Part time police officer Tim Gruhlke addressed the City Council regarding his career with the City of Staunton. Tim has been an officer with the City for 10 years, and will be retiring on August 29, 2021, which will be his 10th anniversary. He wanted to encourage everyone to never underestimate what police officers do, even in the small town of Staunton. As stated, there are numerous shifts when there is only one officer on duty for a town of 5,000 people, and there are occasions when difficult situations arise and the nearest reinforcement is at least 10 minutes away. A copy of Mr. Gruhlke’s letter is attached with the meeting minutes.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE

Received an email from Jennifer Daugherty, requesting to reschedule her son, Jonathan’s Eagle Scout Ceremony to Sunday August 29, 2021 from 1:30 to 4:00 P.M. The original date was for Thursday, July 15th, but due to illness, the original ceremony had to be cancelled. This was approved at the June 28, 2021 City Council Meeting.

VII. TREASURER’S REPORT

Certificates of Deposit recently cashed in at Bank of Hillsboro:

Telecommunications Fund--$100,000.00 plus $551.39 interest

MFT Fund--$175,000.00 plus $964.94 interest

Bond/Interest Fund--$250,000.00 plus $1,378.47 interest

General Fund--$125,000.00 plus $689.24 interest

Sewer Fund--$175,000.00 plus $964.94 interest

Water Fund--$200,000.00 plus $1,102.78 interest

Infrastructure Fund--$300,000.00 plus $1,654.16 interest

All of the above had been invested for 12 months at 0.55%

Certificates of Deposit recently purchased at Bank of Springfield:

General Fund--$100,000.00 for 15 months at 0.36%

General Fund--$150,000.00 for 12 months at 0.31%

Civic Improvement Fund--$100,000.00 for 12 months at 0.31%

Depreciation Fund--$50,000.00 for 12 months at 0.31%

Bond/Interest Fund--$250,000.00 for 15 months at 0.36%

Water Fund--$100,000.00 for 12 months at 0.31%

Water Fund--$200,000.00 for 15 months at 0.36%

Sewer Fund—175,000.00 for 12 months at 0.31%

Telecommunications Fund--$200,000.00 for 12 months at 0.31%

Infrastructure Fund--$500,000.00 for 12 months at 0.31%

Infrastructure Fund--$100,000.00 for 15 months at 0.36%

VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT

The City Clerk’s Office will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2021 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. All public works employees, except one water treatment plant employee, will be off that day as well.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -

Motion by Manning, seconded by Johnson to approve Full Time Placement List compiled by the Police Commission from recent interviews, to be good for twelve months. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Johnson, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –

Nothing to report.

FINANCE–

Nothing to report.

WATER-

Motion by Moore, seconded by Scanzoni to approve Quote #26315 from Subsurface Solutions for utility locating equipment in the amount of $7,464.00. This will be paid from line item 51.42.830.0. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Johnson, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

Motion by Moore, seconded by Manning to approve Quote #311127 from USA Bluebook for a chemical transfer pump at the water treatment plant in the amount of $1,148.69. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

Motion by Moore, seconded by Scanzoni to approve Quote#5008142 from Midwest Municipal Supply for hydrant repair on South Hackman Street in the amount of $4,380.49. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

STREET / SEWER

Nothing to report.

PUBLIC GROUNDS-

Nothing to report.

TOURISM –

Nothing to report.

PERSONNEL –

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Manning to approve hiring Christopher Barnes as full time Police Officer from the recently approved Full Time Placement List compiled by the Police Commission. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Moore, Scanzoni, Manning, Johnson, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

ANNEXATION –

Nothing to report.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES –

Nothing to report.

JUDICIARY—

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Scanzoni to approve Ordinance #2132 Approving A Charity Roadblock By Adopt-A-Pet To Conduct Their Macoupin County Wide Drive At The Intersectioin Of Main And Route 4 And Main And Union (October 9, 2021). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Scanzoni, Manning, Johnson, Machota, Moore. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Manning to approve Ordinance #2134 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 18, 2021). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Scanzoni, Manning, Johnson, Machota, Moore. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Manning to table Ordinance #2136 Vacating Portion Of City Alleyway, Declaring It Surplus Real Property And Authorizing Its Sale. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Johnson, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

1st reading of Ordinance #2137 Changing The Address Of 1600 North LPT Road To 1 Pine Tree Lane

Motion by Johnson, seconded by Manning to approve Resolution #2021-32 A Resolution Recognizing And Declaring Henry’s Ra66it Ranch To Be A Vital And Historic Route 66 Tourist Attraction In And For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Johnson, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—

Nothing to report.

XI. NEW BUSINESS-

Mayor Neuhaus stated that he, Alderman Manning and Police Chief Doerr attended a

Law Enforcement Roundtable today with Representative Avery Bourne. This was a

discussion on the recent laws that were passed regarding Police Reform. There were

mayors, aldermen, police chiefs and other City representatives attending, and it is

obvious that all small towns are struggling with the same issues relating to the Reform

Bill. Mayor Neuhaus and Alderman Manning both felt that it was a very informative

meeting.

Alderman Moore thanked retiring part time police officer Tim Gruhlke for his years of

service and also thanked him for sharing the heartfelt letter that he read.

Mayor Neuhaus stated that the Balloon Glow went well this past weekend and he

wanted to remind everyone that the Ribfest will be held this weekend out at the

Fireman’s Park.

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 Scanzoni seconded by Councilmember Manning to adjourn at 7:20 P.M. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Hanks, Plenske. Motion carried.

Prepared by:

Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk