Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met Aug. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Berola called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Present: Tom Berola, Julie Barnhill, Chris Warwick, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard.

Absent: None

Department Heads: Chief Dave Campbell, Assistant Superintendent TJ Henson, Attorney Rusty Reed, and City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

Department Heads Absent: Superintendent Mike McCarthy

I. Mayor’s Comments

II. Visitors/Public Comments

Auburn Nursing Home – Planned Activities

Martha Searcy, representative from the Auburn Nursing Home, discussed with the Council the upcoming activities that the Nursing Home has planned. On Thursday, August 8th they will be hosting an Ice Cream Social at the Community Center; August 14th Music Under the Stars at the Nursing Home and on October 2nd the residents will again be walking around the school and back. Searcy requested that the streets again be blocked. The Auburn Marching Band will lead the residents and the students of the Auburn Grade School.

Auburn Activities Committee – Labor Day Parade

Dawna Edie, representative from the Auburn Activities Committee, was present to make sure that they are good to proceed with the blocking of roads for the Labor Day Parade. Mayor Berola indicated that all was good and they can proceed.

Redbud Park

Citizen Todd Smith approached the Council inquiring about the Redbud Park and the plans. Smith indicated that he felt if the Council doesn’t plan on doing anything with the Red Bud Park, it’s a disservice to the citizens of Auburn and that the Redbud Park tax should be rescinded. Council members explained the Redbud Park tax and how it works. Smith stated that he still didn’t agree with it. Alderman Garrett suggested that maybe we should start looking into swapping land with new land that would be more feasible.

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill A. July15, 2019 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on July15, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Karhliker to approve the minutes for July15, 2019 minutes, second by Garrett. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

IV. Treasurer’s Report –

A. Bills List July 26, 2019 to August 5, 2019

Treasurer Chris Warwick presented the Bills List from July 26, 2019 to August 5, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the Bills List from July 26, 2019 to August 5, 2019, second by Johnson. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

V. Attorney’s Report – Reed

A. City of Auburn Personal Property Replacement Tax Portion to Auburn Library District

Attorney Rusty Reed informed the Council that Officer Manager Kristy Ponsler is checking into the personal property replacement tax portion to the Auburn Library District. The amount will be presented at the next council meeting.

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

Chief Dave Campbell – No report

B. Superintendent -- Mike McCarthy

Superintendent Mike McCarthy was absent so Assistant Superintendent TJ Henson was in attendance and indicated that there was no report.

C. City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler indicated that we currently have 9 video gaming establishments in Auburn. With the new law that just passed allowing 6 video gaming machines at each establishment, the City of Auburn needs to update their application reflecting this change. No need for an ordinance change.

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Alderman Johnson – No Report

B. Public Works – Karhliker

Alderman Karhliker presented information to the Council of the review and approval of bids received for city roof and windows. Sealed bids were opened by the City Clerk at a meeting prior to the Council meeting. After reviewing the bids for the shingle roof and metal roof, a motion was made by Hemmerle to accept the shingle roof bid of $24,984 from Craig Ladage Builders, second Johnson. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Larry Hemmerle, Bill Karhliker, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Jason Garrett. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (7-1-0-0)

Alderman Karhliker presented the bids for the replacement of windows on the city office building. A motion was made by Garrett to accept the replacement window bid of $8,050 from Craig Ladage Builders, second by Sheppard. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Bill Karhliker, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

C. Public Utilities – Alderman Johnson

Alderman Johnson scheduled a public utilities committee meeting prior to the next council meeting, Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 6:30 p.m. Jamie from Benton’s will be in attendance.

d. Health & Safety – Alderman Sheppard

IDOT Police Grant

Alderman Sheppard was pleased to announce that Chief Campbell applied for an IDOT Police Grant was awarded the grant in the amount of $21,020.16. this grant will allow greater police presence within the community.

Animal Control Officer

Alderman Sheppard indicated that they will be discussing the need for an animal control officer at the next Health & Safety meeting.

Committee Meeting

Alderman Sheppard scheduled a Health & Safety Committee meeting for August 12, 6:30 p.m.

E. Health & Housing – Sheppard

City Clean-Up Day

Alderman Sheppard presented to the Council that Health & Housing would like to holda city wide clean up day on Saturday, October 5 (week after the city wide garage sales). They would like to charge $20 per load or $10 single item and an id must prove they are an Auburn resident. Flowers Sanitation will drop off two roll off dumpsters on Saturday, October 5 with citizen drop off beginning at 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve up to $960 for the dumpsters from Flowers Sanitation; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Bill Karhliker, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

Cemetery Clean-up

Alderman Sheppard reminded everyone that cemetery clean-up is Saturday, August 17.

Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle – No Report

VIII. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz – No Report

IX. Other Business

IMRF Conference

Alderman Garrett and Alderman Royer asked permission to attend the IMRF conference in Chicago. A motion was made by Sheppard for Aldermen Garrett and Royer to travel and attend the IMRF Conference in Chicago and not to exceed $1500; second by Karhliker. Vote Aye: Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Bill Karhliker, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Lori Basiewicz. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (7-1-0-0)

Town Hall Meeting Summary

Alderman Garrett and Alderman Royer presented an overview of the Town Hall Meeting that they hosted on July 23, 2019. Garrett and Royer presented that the overall attitude was that it was a good information meeting and all parties received good information. The overall reaction is that the public wants to be heard.

Community Center Rentals and Decorations

Alderman Garrett informed the council that the Community Center is being rented and renters are once again taping and placing things on the wall even though they are asked not to. After a lengthy discussion, it wads decided that the City Office would supply them with the rules and the material that they can affix to the wall.

Golf Cart Registrations and Renewal

Alderman Garrett stated that he had been approached by a couple of citizens about the process of renewing registration for golf carts. The citizens felt that the process should be easier than having the cart inspected a second time by the Police department. After a general discussion, the council agreed that proof of insurance to receive a sticker at the office. During that same discussion, the fees were evaluated, and Alderman Garrett asked if the council would consider lowering the renewal fee since there no longer a need for a police inspection. Hearing no objection, Alderman Garrett made the motion to reduce renewal fees starting in 2020 to $25.00; seconded by Royer. VOTE: AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Bill Karhliker, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

X. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment at 8:48 p.m. was made by Johnson and second by Sheppard. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

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