City Council Meeting Minutes--May 8, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL, HELD AT THE RALPH & JOSEPHINE OLTMANN COMMUNITY CENTER, 101 W. PEARL ST., STAUNTON, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Craig Neuhaus called the Staunton City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, May 8, 2023.

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: Councilmembers David Manning, David Dias, Kristy Berg, Ryan Machota, Terry Tipler, Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, City Attorney Phil Lading, City Treasurer Cindy Pirok, Police Chief Jeff Doerr and Public Works Director Mike Kuethe.

IV. APPOINTMENT AND OATH OF OFFICE

City Clerk Stiegemeier administered the Oath of Office to the Newly Elected / Re-Elected City Officials:

David Dias, Ward I Alderman

Kristy Berg, Ward II Alderman (2Year Unexpired Term)

Matthew McKee, Ward IV Alderman (2 Year Unexpired Term)

Terry Tipler, Ward IV Alderman

V. CONSENT AGENDA

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

Minutes

Regular Meeting – 04/24/2023

Collector’s Report

Staunton Police Department (Ordinance Violations)--$400.00

Staunton Police Department (Reports)--$5.00

Staunton Police Department (Registrations)--$35.00

Mullins Salvage (Street Department – Scrap)--$414.00

Southwestern Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$818.01

M.J.M. Electric Cooperative (Utility Tax)--$233.58

Madison Communications (Franchise Tax)--$2,873.98

Staunton Super 8 Motel (Hotel/Motel Tax)--$2,632.97

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Fine Disbursement)--$1,722.17

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Arrest Agency Fee)--$81.00

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (E-Citation Fee)--$8.00

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (DUI Fund)--$350.00

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Police Vehicle Fund)--$1.50

Macoupin County Circuit Clerk (Restitution)--$100.00

State of Illinois (MFT Renewal Fund)--$8,435.64

State of Illinois (Sales Tax)--$58,371.07

State of Illinois (Personal Property Replacement Tax)--$11,177.38

Applications

None

Claims

April 28, 2023

May 8, 2023

Business Licenses Issued

Equals / CR Solar (Solicitor’s License)

Staunton Education Foundation (Raffle License)

Roll Call Vote

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

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

Motion declared carried.

VI. GUESTS

Norman Yeager from A.M. Pyrotechnics was present to answer any questions

regarding the upcoming Fireworks Show on June 25, 2023. Mr. Yeager stated that

this year’s show will be much like last years. He also stated that the location of the

show can be adjusted for safety, if need be.

VII . CORRESPONDENCE

Received a letter of retirement from Part Time Police Officer Bev Laurent. Bev will

continue working as the Full Time Senior Dispatcher for the Police Department.

Received an e-mail from Chamber of Commerce President Carrie Borgini, requesting to close Main Street from Edwardsville Street to Union Street on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. for a Touch-A-Truck Event.

VIII. TREASURER’S REPORT

Nothing to report.

IX. CITY CLERK’S REPORT

I have received the official Abstract of Votes for the City of Staunton from the April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election. A total of 295 voters came out to vote for the four open Aldermanic positions.

Governor Pritzker has signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation extending the statewide declaration through Thursday, May 11, 2023, however, this will be the final Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation that will be issued by the Governor regarding COVID-19.

X. COMMITTEE REPORTS

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY -

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve request from the Staunton Chamber of Commerce to close Main Street from Edwardsville Street to Union Street on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. for a 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 spending $21,475.00 for in car cameras from Axon Enterprise, Inc., for the Staunton Police Department, previously budgeted for $20,000.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to approve purchase of two 2023 Dodge Charger police cars at a cost of $39,207.26 per car. These had previously been approved at the September 26, 2022 City Council Meeting for $38,705.00 per car.

At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

PARK & CIVIC IMPROVEMENT –

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to spend up to $2,000.00 for Yard of the Week expenses. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to approve Quote from Sloan Implement Co. for a new John Deere 1023E Zero Turn Mower in the amount of $12,512.42 (includes trade-in and Sourcewell discount). At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

FINANCE–

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias authorizing Mayor Neuhaus to sign Engagement Letter with C. J. Schlosser & Company, LLC confirming services for the City Audit for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2023. The fee for audit services this year will be $9,385.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

UTILITIES / WATER-

Nothing to report.

STREET –

Motion by Machota, seconded by Tipler to accept Quote #1068 from Neuhaus Heating & A/C, Inc. for furnace and air conditioner replacement at the Public Works Building in the amount of $17,394.55. After completion of the job, the City should receive an Ameren incentive in the amount of $3,600.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

PUBLIC GROUNDS-

Nothing to report.

TOURISM –

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Manning to approve spending up to $6,500.00 for Ribfest expenses. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Manning to approve spending up to $10,000.00 for Balloon Glow expenses. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Manning to approve spending up to $2,000.00 for Wall of Honor expenses. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Manning to approve spending up to $10,000.00 for Strassenfest expenses. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to approve spending up to $4,500.00 for Chili Cookoff expenses. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to approve spending up to $8,000.00 for holiday lighting. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Tipler, seconded by Dias to approve Quote from A.M. Pyrotechnics, LLC for the upcoming Fireworks Display at the Homecoming Celebration on June 25, 2023, at a cost of $5,000.00. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

PERSONNEL –

Nothing to report.

ANNEXATION –

Nothing to report.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Nothing to report.

JUDICIARY—

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Ordinance #2203 Amending Chapter Twelve Of The Staunton Revised Code Of Ordinances Related To The Employee Personnel Code For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

1st reading of Ordinance #2204 Granting A Zoning Variance For Real Property

Located At 20123 Staunton Road, Staunton, Illinois

1st reading of Ordinance #2205 Declaring Real Property Known As 104 E. Main

And 108 E. Main As Surplus Real Property And Authorizing Their Sale

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Resolution #2023-09 Re-Appointing Dennis Stiegemeier As City Collector For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg, Machota, McKee. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Manning, seconded by Dias to approve Resolution #2023-10 Re-Appointing Gina Verticchio To The Position Of Zoning Hearing Officer For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Manning, seconded by Tipler to approve Resolution #2023-11 Re-Appointing Mike Kuethe As Director Of Public Works For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. 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 #2023-12 Re-Appointing Philip J. Lading As City Attorney For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. 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 #2023-13 Re-Appointing Jeff Doerr As Chief Of Police For The City Of Staunton, Illinois. 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 #2023-14 Approving A Written Agreement Between The City Of Staunton And A.M. Pyrotechnics, LLC To Issue A Permit For A Fireworks Display On June 25, 2023. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Berg, Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—

Nothing to report.

XII. NEW BUSINESS—

Nothing to report.

XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION—

No Executive Session was held.

XV. MOTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION –

No motions were made from Executive Session.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Tipler, seconded by Councilmember Manning to adjourn at 7:14 PM. At Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Machota, McKee, Tipler, Manning, Dias, Berg. Nayes: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Prepared by: Dennis K. Stiegemeier City Clerk