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 8, 2021
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, February 8, 2021
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Craig Neuhaus led the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.
III. ROLL CALL:
Prior to roll call being taken, City Clerk Stiegemeier announced that tonight’s City Council Meeting was being conducted remotely and was being recorded due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
City Clerk Stiegemeier called roll with the following persons:
ATTENDING: Aldermen Brooke Wallace, Rick Johnson, Randy Hanks, Ryan Machota, John Moore and 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 Maria Bodner and City Attorney Phil Lading.
NOT ATTENDING: Alderman Chad Plenske.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Johnson moved, seconded by Scanzoni to approve Consent Agenda with the following items:
Minutes
Regular Meeting – 01/25/2021
Collector’s Report
State of Illinois (Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant)--$14,520.06
State of Illinois (Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant)--$4,229.94
Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$5.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$614.41
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Arrest Agency Fee)--$106.00
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$.50
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$6.10
Madison Communications (Franchise Fee)--$3,688.13
TDS Transport (Donation to Police Department)--$500.00
Applications
Jules Bartony Sr. (Crossing Guard)
Monthly Reports
Distributed by Bookkeeper
Claims
February 8, 2021
Business Licenses Issued
David Manning – Thrivent
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Plenske.
Motion declared carried.
V. GUESTS
No guests were present to speak.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE
Received a letter from Madison Communications informing the City that they have been selected as a BBBTorch Award recipient. This award was established to recognize local businesses dedicated to building trust through ethical practices with their staff, the community and their approach to marketing within their industry. A copy of the letter is included with the agenda packet.
Received an email from the Staunton Lions Club regarding their annual Easter Egg Hunt. They are asking for input from the City Council before moving forward in planning the event. A copy of the email is attached to the agenda packet.
VII. TREASURER’S REPORT
Nothing to report.
VIII. CITY CLERK’S REPORT
City Clerk Stiegemeier received an email inviting all City Council members to join the Bank of Hillsboro on Friday, February 11, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. for their official Ground Breaking Event for their new banking facility. The event will take place at 227 East Main Street.
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Scanzoni to approve Estimate #500 from Auto Sound & Security to outfit new Dodge 2021 Charger police car, transferring equipment from 2013 Dodge Charger in the amount of $1,695.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Scanzoni to pay Invoice dated February 4, 2021 to Staunton Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram for 2021 Dodge Charger police car in the amount of $27,953.60. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –
Motion by Scanzoni, seconded by Moore to approve Estimate #408 from Auto Sound & Security for security cameras at City owned parks in the amount of $9,460.00, which was budgeted for $9,500.00. Prior to the vote, Alderman Wallace stated that this had been discussed in the committee meeting, and even though this was a budgeted item, she feels that the Council needs to think about money spending, and the camera purchase can wait. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Johnson. Nayes: Hanks, Wallace. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried 5 Ayes; 2 Nayes.
FINANCE–
Motion by Moore, seconded by Johnson to publish Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the City of Staunton DCEO/CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant. Prior to the vote, Alderman Wallace asked Mayor Neuhaus which committee he planned to run this under. The Mayor said he would keep it under Finance and is currently working at getting a grant writer in place. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
WATER-
Motion by Hanks, seconded by Wallace to pay Invoice #8405 to John H. Crawford & Associates for Design Engineering on the Caldwell Street Water Main Loop in the amount of $7,144.00. A motion to proceed with permitting and engineering was approved at the September 14, 2020 City Council Meeting. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
STREET / SEWER
Motion by Machota, seconded by Scanzoni giving Mayor Neuhaus authority to sign documents closing out the 2020 M.F.T. Program. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Moore. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
Motion by Machota, seconded by Johnson to approve Resolution for 2021 M.F.T. Maintenance Program in the amount of $160,840.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
PUBLIC GROUNDS-
Nothing to report.
TOURISM –
Nothing to report.
PERSONNEL –
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Bodner to hire Jules Bartony, Sr. and Bill Adler as part time Crossing Guards and part time Yard Waste Attendants at a pay rate of $11.00 per hour. This will be a temporary arrangement. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Scanzoni to allow full time water treatment plant employees Ed Rothgangel and Laurie May to carry over unused vacation hours (Ed has 112 hours and Laurie has 48 hours), due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the vote, there were concerns with Ed and Laurie wanting to take all of their vacation time at one time. Public Works Director must approve all vacation requests, and he will make sure that this does not happen. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
ANNEXATION –
Nothing to report.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES –
Nothing to report.
JUDICIARY—
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Hanks to approve Ordinance #2101 Granting A Zoning Variance For Real Property Located At 901 East Henry Street, Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Machota to approve Ordinance #2102 Approving A Pre-Annexation Agreement With Jessica & Edward G. Kolkovich Regarding Property Located At 1419 W. Sixth Street, Staunton, Illinois But Not Physically Annexing The Property To The City’s Corporate Boundaries At This Time (PIN #01-003-304-01). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Moore to approve Ordinance #2103 Approving A Pre-Annexation Agreement With Gary & Mary Zumwalt Regarding Property Located At 2312 Route 4, Staunton, Illinois But Not Physically Annexing The Property To The City’s Corporate Boundaries At This Time (PIN #01-000-047-01). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
Prior to the next motion being made, Alderman Hanks expressed concerns with the
number of establishments within the City of Staunton that will be allowed to have
video gaming. The State of Illinois will now allow establishments to have a
maximum of six gaming machines, and several gaming places have either gotten their
sixth machine or will be getting them in the near future. Hanks feels that with the
amount of machines in place, or soon to be in place, we already have enough gaming
establishments.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Moore to approve Ordinance #2104 Amending The Liquor Code For The City Of Staunton, Illinois (increasing Class A liquor licenses from 9 to 10). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Johnson, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner. Nayes: Hanks, Wallace. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried 5 Ayes; 2 Nayes.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Moore to approve Ordinance #2105 Declaring Real Property Commonly Known As 313 East Seventh Street, Staunton, Illinois As Surplus Real Property And Authorizing Its Sale. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Hanks, Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Scanzoni to approve Ordinance #2106 Declaring Real Property Commonly Known As 729 West Seventh Street, Staunton, Illinois As Surplus Real Property And Authorizing Its Sale. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Moore to approve Ordinance #2107 Amending Chapter 16, Article III Of The City Of Staunton Revised Code Of Ordinances. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
1st reading of Ordinance #2108 Approving Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement Between The City Of Staunton, Illinois And Staunton Township
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Moore to approve Resolution #2021-03 Approving Approving Bid For Vacated Portion Of Walnut Street And Authorizing Its Sale. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Moore, Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried.
Prior to the motion for the next Resolution, Mayor Neuhaus read Sections 2 and 3 of
the Resolution. After reading this, a discussion was held as to why this was placed on
the agenda and had never been discussed in a committee meeting. Alderman Johnson
stated that it is a time sensitive issue and he had requested to have the Resolution
prepared and placed on the agenda. Some Council Members felt that the City should
not be going against this legislative process, but Mayor Neuhaus stated there were
concerns regarding our local police department and the lack of support and training
for them if this Criminal Justice Reform Bill passes.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Moore to approve Resolution #2021-04 A Resolution Of The City Of Staunton Regarding HB3653 (Criminal Justice Reform Bill) Disapproving Of The Legislative Process And Recommending Governor Pritzker’s Veto. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Johnson, Machota, Moore. Nayes: Hanks, Wallace. Absent: Plenske. Motion carried 5 Ayes; 2 Nayes.
X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—
Nothing to report.
XI. NEW BUSINESS-
A discussion was held regarding the water treatment plant employees. Alderman
Johnson stated that two of the employees have received their first doses of the
COVID-19 vaccines, and are due to receive their second doses next week. Johnson
is suggesting to bring all water treatment plant employees back to their normal
schedules after the second vaccines are given, but he would like for Council Members
to give this some thought and this issue will be discussed further in a committee
meeting.
.
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 Moore to adjourn at 7:38 P.M. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Scanzoni, Bodner, Wallace, Johnson, Hanks, Machota, Plenske, Moore. Nayes: None. Absent: None.. Motion carried.
Prepared by:
Dennis K. Stiegemeier, City Clerk