City Council Meeting Minutes--February 28, 2022

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, FEBRUARY 28, 2022

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, February 28, 2022.

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, Rick Johnson, Ryan Machota, Chad Plenske, John Moore, Jeff Scanzoni, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, Police Chief Jeff Doerr and Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.

ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE: Alderman Randy Hanks and City Attorney Phil Lading.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

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

Minutes

Regular Meeting – 02/14/2022

Collector’s Report

M.J.M. Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$718.87

Ameren Illinois (Utility Tax)--$30,954.37

Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$35.00

Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$200.00

Applications

None

Claims

February 28, 2022 (Expenditures - $27,839.22 / Payroll - $59,037.90/ Manual Checks - $1,045.43)

Business Licenses Issued

Dawg House Creamery

Staunton Band Boosters (Raffle License)

Macoupin County Patriots Friends of NRA (Raffle License)

Roll Call Vote

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

NAYS: None.

ABSTAIN: Plenske.

ABSENT: None.

Motion declared carried.

V. GUESTS

Norman “Boe” Yeager from A.M. Pyrotechnics was in attendance to give a presentation on the upcoming Fireworks Show at the annual Fireman’s Picnic in June. With the approval of the Council, Mr. Yeager is proposing to change the site location from the field north of Leonard Street to the ball diamonds on the south side of Leonard Street. The location would have an area of 235’ diameter and the show would be under the supervision of the Staunton Fire Department. He is proposing to step down from the larger shells to shoot off smaller shells which would mean a longer show would take place. The company that Mr. Yeager previously worked with has gone out of business, and he is currently working with a company out of Buffalo, MO, who will be doing manufacturing of some of the fireworks. All proper insurance documentation will be supplied to the City and Attorney Lading will be asked to approved the insurance documents. The fireworks would be place on a flat bed wrap trailer and the mortars would be secured in racks on the flat bed trailer. When asked about debris from the fireworks, Mr. Yeager stated that it would be contained in the 235’ radius area. They also observe a 20 M.P.H. wind rule as well at the time of the show. The Council thanked Mr. Yeager for giving his presentation.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE

Received a letter from Zion Lutheran Church requesting to use the Fireman’s Park on Sunday, July 31, 2022, for their annual church picnic. They are asking to have the park rental fee waived.

Received an email from Robin Stranimeier, representing the Staunton Lions Club, requesting to use the Fireman’s Park on Saturday, April 16, 2022 for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. They would be using the park from approximately 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and they are asking to have the park rental fee waived.

Kerber, Eck & Braeckel e-mailed a letter informing the City that they will be ceasing their services to do the City’s annual financial audit. A copy of the letter is attached to the agenda packet.

VII. TREASURER’S REPORT

Nothing to report.

VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT

Nothing to report.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -

Nothing to report.

PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –

Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Manning to grant request from Zion Lutheran Church to use the Fireman’s Park on Sunday, July 31, 2022 for their annual church picnic, with the park rental fee being waived. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Plenske, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Moore to grant request from the Staunton Lions Club to use the Fireman’s Park on Saturday, April 16, 2022 for their annual Easter Egg Hunt, with the park rental fee being waived. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Hanks, Machota, Plenske, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning, Dias, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

FINANCE–

Nothing to report.

WATER-

Motion by Moore, seconded by Dias to approve Invoice #8763 from John H. Crawford & Associates for Land Application Permit for sludge from water treatment plant in the amount of $2,860.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Plenske, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning, Dias, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

STREET / SEWER

Nothing to report.

PUBLIC GROUNDS-

Nothing to report.

TOURISM –

Nothing to report.

PERSONNEL –

Motion by Dias, seconded by Johnson to approve Grievance Resolution Agreement between the City of Staunton, Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 338, and Brandon Lesemann to pay Mr. Lesemann the gross pay of $3,851.41, minus the applicable payroll deductions, in settlement of the grievance filed on his behalf under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Plenske, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning, Dias, Johnson, Hanks, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

ANNEXATION –

Nothing to report.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES –

Nothing to report.

JUDICIARY—

Nothing to report.

X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—

Nothing to report.

XI. NEW BUSINESS-

Mayor Neuhaus asked the Council Members if they were all in agreement to move the Fireworks Show from the previous location to the new location of the ball diamonds. No one had any objections to move the show.

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 Dias to adjourn at 7:24 P.M. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Hanks, Machota, Plenske, Moore, Scanzoni, Manning, Dias, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Prepared by:

Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk