Sangamon Sun

City of Athens City Council met June 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Mayor Dowell welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7pm at Athens City Hall. Clerk Cindy McFarland called roll. Present were Aldermen: Chris Basso, Larry Buhr, Ron Canterbury, Tom Croft Sr., Tom Herman, and Butch Nichols. Also in attendance were Linda Wasilewski, Gary Richardson, Treasurer Ryan Seifert, Norman Flowers, Police Chief Tim Becker, Fire Chief Joe Crowe, Michael Lockwood, Hayley Yoakum, Ryne Crowe, and Ellie Stuhmer. The Mayor asked if any Veteran present would like to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. All stood, and Norm Flowers led the pledge.

Robbie Bluett stepped forward and presented the Wastewater report and summarized repairs that may be necessary in the future.

First on the voting agenda was the vote to accept the May reports. Motion was made by Alderman Herman, seconded by Alderman Buhr, to approve the police, treasurers’, water and wastewater, streets and alleys, and office manager’s reports. Ayes: Basso, Buhr, Canterbury, Croft, Herman and Nichols. Motion passed.

Next, the Mayor asked for a motion to approve the May meeting minutes Motion made by Alderman Nichols, seconded by Alderman Canterbury, to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2018 Committee Meeting and the May 14, 2018 Regular Council Meeting. All ayes. Motion passed.

Motion made by Alderman Canterbury, seconded by Alderman Herman, to approve the payment of the May bills. All ayes. Motion passed.

Motion made by Alderman Buhr, seconded by Alderman Nichols, to approve final 2018-2019 City Budget. All ayes. Motion passed.

Next the mayor asked for a motion to approve Ordinances 03-2018 and 04-2018. Motion made by Alderman Nichols, seconded by Alderman Basso, to approve Ordinance #03-2018, Annual Appropriation Ordinance & Estimate of Revenues of the City of Athens Road District No. 13, Illinois, for the Corporate Year beginning May 1, 2018 and ending April 30, 2019, and Ordinance 04-2018, Annual Appropriation Ordinance & Estimate of Revenues of the City of Athens, Illinois, for the Corporate Year beginning May 1, 2018 and ending April 30, 2019. All ayes. Motion passed.

Motion made by Alderman Basso, seconded by Alderman Herman, to approve a donation of $250 to the Animal Abusive Protection Program to be paid from the gaming fund. All ayes. Motion passed.

Next on the agenda was the American Legion special event liquor license. Motion made by Alderman Buhr, seconded by Alderman Croft, to approve a special event liquor license for the American Legion for the June 30, 2018, Salute to America event. All ayes. Motion passed.

Next on the agenda was bid acceptance for road projects. The Mayor said that there had only been one bid from IRC Inc., for $33,795. Alderman Buhr said that residents had concerns about the curbing and asked why the road in Barn Hollow could not be ground down. The Mayor said that this was cost prohibitive; IDOT had determined that the road must be sealed, or it would be lost by next year. Motion made by Alderman Nichols, seconded by Alderman Basso to accept the road project bid. All ayes. Motion passed.

Next the Mayor asked for a motion to approve the bid for cameras from Total Home and Farm Video. Motion made by Alderman Basso, seconded by Alderman Nichols, to accept the bid from Total Home and Farm Video for cameras at City Hall, traffic cameras in front of the Library, and cameras for E-Commerce at the Library totaling $9,356 including installation. Payment breakdown would be approximately $900 from Crime Stoppers, $1814 from the Police Ordinance Violation Fund, and $6,642 from the gaming fund. Ayes: Aldermen Basso, Buhr, Canterbury, Croft, and Nichols. Nays: Alderman Herman. Motion passed.

Motion made by Alderman Herman, seconded by Alderman Nichols, to authorize advertising for one week for a part-time summer mowing position, 3 days per week, at $10 per hour, with the Mayor, Police Chief, and Supt. Squires conducting the interviews and hiring by July 1, 2018. All ayes. Motion passed.

The Mayor said that was everything on the agenda for tonight and asked the council if they had anything else to discuss or if there were any public comments. Alderman Canterbury asked about the monitoring of the water pumps and wells. Ryne Crowe gave a summary of the condition of the wells. Linda Wasilewski said there is a dead tree at the cemetery that needs to come down. Mayor Dowell said he will follow up.

The Mayor thanked everyone for coming. Motion made by Alderman Buhr, seconded by Alderman Herman, to adjourn the meeting at 7:34pm. Motion passed unanimously.

https://www.athensil.com/documents/75/6-11-2018_Regular_Meeting-Monday.pdf