Sangamon Sun

City of Springfield City Council met August 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Minutes of Springfield City Council Meeting Wednesday, August 2, 2017 City Council Chambers

Pre-Council Session:

City Clerk Frank Lesko called the Pre Council Session of the Springfield City Council to Order at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 2, 2017 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center West.

Clerk Lesko read the ordinances on First Reading and assigned to the Committee of the Whole.

CWLP:

2017-371 An Ordinance Authorizing A One-Year Contract Extension And Additional Funding In An Amount Not To Exceed $500,000.00 Under Contract No. Ue16-06-34 With Rex D. Evans Aka Evans Cartage Trucking For Byproduct Hauling At Dallman For A Total Amount Not To Exceed $1,300,000.00 For The Office Of Public Utilities

2017-372 An Ordinance Accepting Bids And Authorizing The Execution Of Contract Ue18-03-02 – Purchase Electric Utility Task Vehicles For The Dallman Power Station With Coker Family Inc. DBA Battery Specialists + Golf Cars In An Amount Not To Exceed $81,550.00 For The Office Of Public Utilities

2017-373 An Ordinance Authorizing The Technical Support And Maintenance For Pi Historian Software For The Dallman Power Plant Electric Generation Department From Osisoft, Llc In An Amount Not To Exceed $60,231.00 For The Office Of Public Utilities

2017-374 An Ordinance Authorizing Proposals With Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions Inc. In An Amount Not To Exceed $2,387,087.00 For Ovation Upgrades For The Dallman Power Plant Unit No. 33 And The Interstate Combustion Turbinefor The Office Of Public Utilities

Public Works:

2017-375 A Resolution For Temporary Closure Of A Portion Of Illinois State Routes 97 And 125 (Jefferson Street) For The Annual Trades And Labor Council Labor Day Parade To Be Held On September 4, 2017, For The Office Of Public Works

City Council Minutes 1 August 2, 2017

2017-376 An Ordinance Authorizing The Purchase Of Vacant Or Abandoned Properties On The Tax Sales List From Sangamon County, As Trustee, In An Amount Not To Exceed $44,730.00 For The Office Of Public Works

2017-377 An Ordinance Approving The Plan For The Large Scale Development Of Illinois Department Of Corrections Located At 1401 Concordia Court For The Office Of Public Works

Finance:

2017-378 An Ordinance Accepting Rfp #Hr18-02 Authorizing A Four- Year Contract With Healthlink To Continue To Serve As The City Of Springfield’s Health Provider Network From March 1, 2018, Through February 28, 2022, For An Amount Not To Exceed $559,000.00, For The Office Of Human Resources

2017-379 An Ordinance Authorizing An Extension Of A Contract With, And Additional Payment Of $80,000.00 To, Assurance Agency, Ltd To Serve As The City’s Health Insurance Consultant From March 1, 2018, Through February 28, 2019, For The Office Of Human Resources

2017-380 An Ordinance Authorizing Payment To Matthew Cunningham, A City Of Springfield Firefighter, To Settle A Workers’ Compensation Claim For Case Number 17-Wc-10441

2017-381 An Ordinance Authorizing An Intergovernmental Agreement With The Board Of Trustees Of The Chatham Area Public Library District Of Sangamon County, Illinois, For Tax Revenue Sharing

2017-382 A Resolution Fixing A Time And Place For A Public Hearing On The Peoria Road Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan And Project For The Office Of Planning And Economic Development

2017-383 An Ordinance Authorizing Addendum A To A Redevelopment Agreement With Springfield Urban Redevelopment, Llc, Previously Authorized By Ordinance 029-01-17, For Financial Assistance For The Property Located At 501 E. Capitol Avenue Utilizing Central Area Tax Increment Finance Funds In An Amount Not To Exceed $985,000.00, For The Office Of Planning And Economic Development

General City Business:

2017-384 An Ordinance To Decrease The Number Of Class “D” Liquor Licenses By One Due To Closure Of Business By Los Agaves Of Springfield Inc. D/B/A Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant Located At 2466-70 W. Wabash

2017-385 An Ordinance To Decrease The Number Of Class “D” Liquor Licenses By One Due To Closure Of Business By Heritage Dev Co. Of Il Inc. D/B/A Norb Andy’s Tabarin Located At 518 E. Capitol Avenue

2017-386 An Ordinance Authorizing The Execution Of A Lease Agreement With Springfield Illinois African American History Foundation D/B/A The Springfield And Central Illinois African American History Museum For Property Located At 1440 Monument Avenue

2017-387 An Ordinance Approving The Reappointment Of H. Edward Cramer, P.E. To The Mechanical Commission

The following ordinances are on tonight’s consent agenda. 2017-351; 2017-352; 2017-353; 2017-354; 2017-356; 2017-357; 2017-358; 2017-362; 2017-363; 2017-364; 2017-366; and 2017- 368

The Pre-Council session concluded at 5:05 pm.

City Council Regular Agenda:

Mayor Langfelder called the August 2, 2017 meeting of the Springfield City Council to order at 5:30 PM. He invited everyone to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Clerk Lesko took the roll call of members.

Present: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman DiCenso , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Donelan , Alderman Hanauer , and Mayor Langfelder

Absent: Alderman Theilen

Clerk Lesko announced there was a quorum for a meeting.

Next, Mayor Langfelder asked that engineers from Illinois Department of Transportation give a presentation on the MacArthur Boulevard feasibility study. Jeff Meyers, Program Development Engineer for IDOT and Sal Madonia a Studies and Plans Engineer with IDOT will present part of the presentation as well. Mr. Meyers said the purpose of the Feasibility Study was to determine alternatives to be studied in-depth during a phase one planning study. Something to consider were pedestrian accessibility, bicycle accommodations and capacity issues in the north Laurel area and drainage. This would also get a preliminary cost to include construction and land acquisition for the project.

The study area was MacArthur Boulevard from South Grand Avenue to Wabash Avenue, this is an unmarked state route, and there is a maintenance agreement that the city of Springfield maintain the road.

Sal Madonia gave a description of the alternatives to what MacArthur can be. There are seven ways to improve MacArthur; these included the addition of bike lanes and sidewalks. The goal of the study would be to add a bike lane and sidewalk to MacArthur. There were only twenty three comments submitted from the public meetings. Most of the comments favored a shared bike path and sidewalk. The parcels along MacArthur are going to be impacted one way or another with the addition of bike lanes and sidewalks.

Alderman McMenamin said that there is a problem because some of the small business owners and home owners could slow down the project and raise the cost if they hold out on giving up land.

Mayor Langfelder wanted to know what some options for funding are and what kind of time line there could be in completing the project. Mr. Meyers said that there is a six year budget for the state roads and this project is not included in the budget. There would be an influx in the funding source. The timeline for completions all depends on when the funding can come for design and planning. It is hard to give a defended answer.

Alderman Hanauer wanted to know how the cost of the project would be split going forward. Mr. Meyers said there really isn’t a definite answer right now.

Next, Chris Stritzel with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly gave an update of some improvement to the Jackson Street corridor. Mr. Stritzel said that using a third of the North Mansion block for water waste retention, would be another forty two thousand cubic feet of water underground. There couldn’t be a building built over the area used for the retention system. The Town Branch Sewer shed goes through downtown; the main line goes right under Jackson Street at an angle with forty nine miles of branched feeder lines coming into the mainline. If there are more frequent higher rain storms, there will be more drainage problems along the Town Branch line. Third and Capitol and Sixth and Edwards are the areas of concern that see the most flooding.

Alderman Donelan wanted to know what the cost would be for some of the projects he discussed. The numbers are rough and would need to be fine tuned. The streetscape is about a million or two, the underground water storage unit would add about $750,000.00. The larger underground water storage that would be under part of the North Mansion Block would be $1.5 million so a total for Jackson Street, the North Mansion Block and streetscape would be in the three million dollar range.

Alderman Proctor wanted to know what the time frame is for installing the underground water system under the North Mansion Block. Mr. Stritzel said, with a mild winter and no other delays in funding and design, the project could be completed in a year.

Next, Mayor Langfelder asked CWLP Chief Engineer Doug Brown to give the finical report for the first quarter for CWLP. Mr. Brown said the Electric Fund ended the quarter with cash on hand amount of $14.7 million. That is 26 days of cash on hand 60 days cash on hand which is recommended is $33.2 million. Right now the expense budget is under budget by $9 million. There are $507,735,000 in outstanding bonds. CWLP electric fund bond ratings with Moody’s is A3 (stable outlook) Standard & Poor’s Rating: A (stable outlook) which is positive from both houses.

The water fund ended the quarter with cash on hand amount of $6.5 million dollars. That is 98 days cash on hand. Revenue is down for water due to the mild summer, but the expenses are under budget as well. There are $81,131,086 in bonds and IEPA loans that are outstanding. CWLP water fund bond rating with Moody’s is A1, Standard’s & Poor’s Rating is AA- which is good standing with both houses. CWLP labor cost is under budget for both the Electric and Water Funds.

Alderman Donelan wanted to know the cost to produce a unit of power for each of the four units. Mr. Brown said that there is a difference for each unit and there is a charge to put extra power out on the MISO grid. Alderman Redpath wanted to know why the plant isn’t burning all the time and selling the excess on the MISO grid. Mr. Brown said that there not much need on the MISO grid right now due to lower costs of the wholesale market. The missed opportunity is when the price of power is higher, which it is not right now.

Next, Mayor Langfelder asked for a motion to dispense with a reading of the minutes of the July 18, 2017 City Council meeting and approve the minutes. Alderman Donelan made the motion and Alderman Hanauer seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, Mayor Langfelder asked for a motion to incorporate the Pre-Council first reading of ordinances into the record of the Council meeting. Alderman Hanauer made the motion with Alderman Turner seconding. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, Mayor Langfelder asked to incorporate the pre-council reading of the consent agenda into the record. Alderman Redpath made the motion. Aldermen Senor and Hanauer seconded the motion. Alderman Fulgenzi asked that agenda item 2017-357 be put on the debate agenda, so there can be some more discussion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, Mayor Langfelder asked for a motion to place the amended consent agenda on final passage. Alderman Donelan made the motion to place the amended consent agenda on final passage. Alderman Senor seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0 voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman DiCenso , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman Hanauer

Next, agenda item 2017-357 an ordinance authorizing execution of a professional services agreement with Knight E/A Inc. for a feasibility study comprised of data collection and a report detailing concepts and phasing for modifying 4th and 7th Street, Monroe, Adams and Washington from one-way to two-way streets for an amount not to excess $150,231.13 for the Office of Public Works. Alderman Fulgenzi made a motion for discussion. Alderman Fulgenzi seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0. Alderman Fulgenzi wanted to know what the study will show the city. Nathan Bottom with Public Works said the city would get a cost of what would be needed to go with two way streets. The cost of the project would be six to eight million dollars. The cost would come from upgrading the traffic signals which are coming to the end of their useful life. Alderman Senor wanted to know more of what this study would tell the city. Mr. Bottom said that this will also help in the timing of stoplights in the entire downtown system.

Alderman Donelan wanted to know what percent of the estimated six to eight million would be on the traffic signal upgrades. Mr. Bottom said seventy-five to eighty percent would be used on traffic. Alderman Donelan wanted to know what would be the cost of just upgrading the traffic signals instead of changing the flow of traffic. Mr. Bottom said the average traffic light cost is 200 to 250 thousand dollars. Alderman Turner wanted to know if this is what everyone wanted to do and there is already a study, while should there be money spent on another study. Mr. Bottom said that maybe this study will give the city plans to phase in the changes.

Alderman Hanauer said that he has attended a couple of neighborhood associations meetings and there was not a positive response to changing the flow of traffic. Mr. Bottom said there will be public meetings that will give the public a chance to give the city input. Alderman Redpath would like to know more about the economic impact before going through the process. Alderman Proctor said that he has heard the opposite in his neighborhood associations meetings and people are more in favor of it than opposed. Alderman Fulgenzi said that residents don’t realize that 5th and 6th Streets will remain one way so the flow into the city will remain the same. Alderman DiCenso said she too has had positive feedback and it depends on what section of the city you are in there will be different responses. Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on final passage. Alderman Proctor seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0 voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman DiCenso , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman Hanauer

Next, Mayor Langfelder entrained a motion for an omnibus vote for agenda number 2017-359, 2017-360 and 2017-361 Alderman Donelan made the motion to place the agenda items on an omnibus vote. Alderman Redpath seconded the motion. The motion passed on voice vote of 9-0. Agenda item 2017-359 an ordinance annexing certain described property located at 1766 Shasta Lane. Agenda item 2017-360 an ordinance annexing certain described real property located at 1768 Shasta Lane and 2017-361 an ordinance annexing certain described real property located at 56 West Hazel Dell Lane. Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda items on final passage. Alderman Hanauer seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0 voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman DiCenso , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman Hanauer

Next, agenda item 2017-367 an ordinance authorizing payment of $60,000.00 for settlement of circuit court case 2012-L-0205, Jeannie Beal-Frankes Versus City of Springfield. Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on final passage. Alderman Proctor seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0 voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman DiCenso , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman Hanauer

Next, agenda item 2017-369 an ordinance authorizing execution of a stipulated agreement with the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Union Pacific Railroad and the State of Illinois Department of Transportation for the vacation of Cedar, Allen, Canedy, Jackson and Union Street roadways along the Third Street Rail Corridor for the Office of Public Works, for Emergency Passage. Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on final passage. Alderman Senor seconded the motion. Mayor Langfelder said that the city was awarded the TIGER grant for the Ash and Laurel Street underpasses and part of the agreement there is a need to close some streets along the Third Street corridor. Mr. Bottom said that the city needs to move forward so that there is no delay and added cost to construction. Alderman Donelan said the goal is to get all train traffic off of Third Street and make it a pedestrian walkway. Alderman Senor said that Central Baptist Church the crossing next to the church is closing. The motion passed 9-1 voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman DiCenso , Alderman Donelan , Alderman Hanauer , and Mayor Langfelder voting no: Alderman McMenamin

Next, agenda item 2017-370 an ordinance vacating roadways along the Third Street Rail Corridor located on Cedar, Allen, Canedy, Jackson and Union Streets for the Springfield Rail Improvement Project, for the Office of Public Works for emergency passage. Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on final passage. Alderman Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-1 voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman DiCenso , Alderman Donelan , Alderman Hanauer , and Mayor Langfelder voting no: Alderman McMenamin

Next, Mayor Langfelder entertained a motion to suspend the rules and add to the first reading agenda item 2017-388 an ordinance amending ordinance 426-12-14 establishing the Springfield/Sangamon County enterprise zone, enterprise zone designation-tax abatement and ordinance 425-12-14 and authorizing a memorandum of understanding with Sangamon County regarding the enterprise zone by extending the territorial boundaries to include property located on the north half of Sangamon County Parcel number 36-18.0-200-001 Alderman Hanauer made the motion to place the agenda item on first reading. Aldermen Redpath and Turner seconded the motion.

Alderman McMenamin wanted to know the reason for bringing this forward tonight and not waiting a few weeks and place it on first reading then. CC Zerkle said that sometimes not all the information is available when the ordinances need to be filed with the City Clerk’s office and they need to suspend the rules and read it into the record of ordinances. It requires the Council to suspend the rules, read into the record and vote on the motion to place the ordinance on first reading. Alderman McMenamin said that in the City Council rules there needs to be an explanation for suspending the rules and place the ordinance on first reading. Alderman McMenamin said that there is an exhibit c in the ordinance that outlines commitments of EmberClear for over the next twenty years. Alderman McMenamin also wants the public to know more about EmberClear and the company it is.

Mayor Langfelder said the reason the city is moving forward is that the County and city of Pawnee have been moving forward in their talks. This will also help protect CWLP and the rate payers of Springfield. There is a Committee meeting next week where there can be more discussion. If the Aldermen want to leave the ordinance in committee they can or move it forward. Alderman McMenamin said that this is a complicated, long term decision for the city and it deserves as much extra attention as possible and asked that it not be put on first reading tonight.

Alderman Hanauer said the City will be getting $800,000.00 a year for twenty-five years for selling 220,000 gallons of water a day. If this deal falls through and EmberClear goes with a different sight there will be a negative impact on CWLP because they will be producing power and not getting their water from CWLP. Alderman McMenamin stated that this should go through the normal channels and he would like to hear from the Chamber of Commerce about this.

Alderman Turner said that this is an excellent deal and beneficial to the city. Alderman Turner said she sees no reason why this should not go on to first reading tonight. There is only a two day difference. She is sure that there will be representatives form EmberClear next week to answer questions that the Aldermen might have.

Alderman DiCenso said that the Chamber had another study that they haven’t shared with Aldermen and the City and she would like to see that, before moving forward. Mayor Langfelder told her to contact the Chamber to see the report. The Chamber has a different perspective than the City because they have to protect CWLP. Alderman Redpath is afraid the city could lose this deal if they don’t act sooner and they shouldn’t even be debating putting this on first reading.

Alderman DiCenso said that if you do any research on the company, they have told other communities that they would build a power plant and it never has been built. Alderman Redpath wanted to know if the Council could hold a meeting in two days and place the agenda item on first reading in order to keep the things moving and not get behind on the project. CC Zerkle said that the Council can do that, or the Mayor can call for a meeting with proper notice. The motion to place the agenda item on first reading failed on a vote of 6-2-1 due to a lack of a super majority vote. Voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman Hanauer voting no: Alderman DiCenso , and Alderman McMenamin voting present: Alderman Senor

Next, Mayor Langfelder entertained a motion to suspend the rules and add to the first reading agenda item 2017-389 an ordinance authorizing payment in the amount of $73,613.23 for settlement of risk management claim number AL20161020172 Alderman Donelan made a motion to place the agenda item on first reading. Alderman Redpath seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, Alderman Hanauer wanted to make sure that the microphone system that was approved tonight on the consent agenda has a kill switch on them.

Next, Alderman Senor wanted to thank everyone that came out to the National Night Out events throughout the city. Chief Winslow said there were ten events held by seventeen neighborhood associations, and there were good turnouts in all of them.

Next, Alderman Senor wanted to let everyone know that on Friday, August 4th there will be a free concert in Lincoln Park for the take back the city from gun violence. The time of the event is 6 pm to 8:30 pm. Also Saturday August 5th is the Blacks, Whites and Blues at noon on 11th Street and runs to Sunday night till 9:30 pm

Next, Alderman Turner wanted to know from Chief Helmerichs the policy for opening fire hydrants during warmer weather. Chief Helmerichs said that the fire department is available for events, but do not open up the hydrants for homemade things to place on them.

Next, Alderman Donelan wanted to inform the public that people need to call the fire department non emergency number to inform the fire department of people illegally burning leaves and trash. Chief Helmerichs said that the burning rules are on the City’s website under fire department. The fire districts have their own rules, but will put out a fire if there is a health hazard.

Next, Alderman Hanauer wanted to know if there could be a way for residents, which are not in neighborhood associations to be able to get updates from the city in their email.

Next, Leonard Hubbard Jr. of 2508 Poplar Street spoke about some vacant lots that are not being kept up; the locations are 1631 East Lawrence and 1627 East Lawrence. There is trash in the lots and people are throwing their garbage there.

Next, Alice Remmey of 1212 South Livingston wanted to thank all the police officers and Mayor for coming out to their National Night Out event. She too has seen some vacant lots around the town that can use some attention.

Next, Mayor Langfelder entertained a motion for adjournment. The motion was made by Alderman Senor and seconded by Alderman Hanauer. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0. The August 2, 2017 Council Meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm

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