Sangamon Sun

At a recent meeting, the Springfield City Council advanced a development plan for Fresh Visions Community Church, which would be built on the west side of J. David Jones Parkway across for the Oak Ridge Cemetery entrance.

The Springfield City Council includes one elected alderman from each of the city’s 10 wards, along with the mayor, city clerk and city treasurer. The council meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the council.

City Council Minutes 1 May 17, 2016

Minutes of Springfield City

Council Meeting

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

City Council Chambers

Mayor Langfelder called the May 17, 2016 meeting of the Springfield City Council to order at

5:30pm. He invited everyone to join with him in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Clerk Lesko took the roll call of members.

PRESENT: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi

, Alderman Proctor , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Theilen , Alderman Donelan ,

Alderman Hanauer , and Mayor Langfelder ABSENT: , Alderman Jobe ,

Clerk Lesko announced that there is a quorum to conduct the City Council meeting.

City Council Minutes 4 May 17, 2016

Next, Mayor Langfelder asked that John Higginbotham and Director Mark Mahoney come

forward to recognize John Higginbotham as engineer of the year for the State of Illinois.

Next, Director Mahoney talked about Public Works week which is this week.

Next, Mayor Langfelder presented a proclamation to Lincoln Land Chapter of ABATE for their 30th year as a Chapter. Joshua Witkowski accepted the proclamation.

The first item on the Zoning agenda is Docket 2015-075 for the property located at 1836 Groth Street. Alderman Turner asked that it remain tabled.

Next, Docket 2016-001 for the property located at 1028 North 9th Street. Alderman Turner asked that it remain tabled.

Next, Docket 2016-014 for the property located at 2975 Stanton Avenue. Alderman Senor asked to continue for another thirty days, there has been some progress and should be resolved by next month. Alderman Senor made a motion to continue for 30 days. Alderman McMenamin seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

The next item on the zoning agenda is docket number 2016-015 for the property located at 2835 East Clear Lake Avenue & 107 N. Daniel. (Ward #3)

PETITIONER(S): Clearlake Partners, LLC.

PRESENT ZONING CLASSIFICATION: R-2, Single-family and Duplex Residence District,

Section 155.017.

REQUESTED ZONING RELIEF: Reclassification to B-2, General Business Service District,

Section 155.034.

SPRINGFIELD-SANGAMON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

RECOMMENDATION IS: Approval.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION IS:

Concur with staff recommendation for approval of Reclassification to B-2, General Business Service District, Section 155.034

Alderman Turner made a motion to accept the Planning and Zoning Commission

recommendation. Alderman Senor seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0 voting yes:

Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman

Proctor , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Theilen , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman

Hanauer

The next item on the zoning agenda is docket number 2016-016 for the property located at 1900 S. 6th Street.

City Council Minutes 5 May 17, 2016

PETITIONER(S): Robert V. Wilbern.

PRESENT ZONING CLASSIFICATION: B-1, Highway Business Service Section, 155.033.

REQUESTED ZONING RELIEF: Reclassification to B-2, General Business Service District,

Section 155.034.

SPRINGFIELD-SANGAMON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

RECOMMENDATION IS: Denial of the Reclassification request to B-2 zoning. However,

recommend approval for a Use Variance to allow installation of a paint booth allowing

automotive mechanical repairs, and automotive paint restoration and repairs and automotive sales with the following conditions: 1. The auto paint booth shall occupy no more than one bay;

and 2. The temporary outside storage of wrecked/non-operable vehicles needing paint services shall be limited to no more than 2 at any given time with their location limited to the area along the alley with a full-sized solid fence, i.e. 6 feet or taller.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION IS:

Concur with staff recommendation to deny the Reclassification but approve a Use Variance to allow installation of a paint booth allowing automotive mechanical repairs, and automotive paint restoration and repairs and automotive sales with the following conditions: 1. The auto paint booth shall occupy no more than one bay; and 2. The temporary outside storage of wrecked/nonoperable vehicles needing paint services shall be limited to no more than 2 at any given time with their location limited to the area along the alley with a full-sized solid fence, i.e. 6 feet or taller.

Alderman McMenamin made a motion to accept the Planning and Zoning Commission

recommendation. Alderman Redpath seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0 voting yes:

Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman

Proctor , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Theilen , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman

Hanauer

The final item on the agenda is docket number 2016-017 which is an amendment to Chapter 155-

155.497, Special Requirements for Dispensing Organizations

PETITIONER(S): City of Springfield.

REQUESTED ZONING RELIEF: To amend Chapter 155.497, Special Requirements for

Dispensing Organizations, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Springfield.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION IS:

Recommend approval of the petition to amend Chapter 155.497, Special Requirements for

Dispensing Organizations, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Springfield as indicated in

Exhibit A.

City Council Minutes 6 May 17, 2016

Alderman Proctor made a motion to accept the Planning and Zoning Commission

recommendation. Alderman Hanauer seconded the motion. Alderman Theilen wanted to know what this will do if passed. Matt McLaughlin said that this will get the City in line with the State of Illinois regulations. CC Zerkle said the primary change is the one thousand foot rule, which the State did not implement, but was included in the City ordinance. The thousand feet is between a growth center and a dispensary. Alderman McMenamin said that he will be voting no because it allows for more exterior signage and allows additional mechanize packaging which is directly promoting marijuana consumption. The motion passed 7-2 voting yes: Alderman Redpath ,

Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman

Donelan , and Alderman Hanauer voting no: Alderman McMenamin and Alderman

Theilen

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR AGENDA

Next, Mayor Langfelder asked for Treasurer Buscher to give her Treasurer report. The Corporate Fund had a beginning balance for the month of April of $5,755,319. The City took in $7,096,735 and total disbursements of $7,959,779 with an ending balance for April 2016 of $4,892,275.

Alderman Redpath made the motion to accept the financial report 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 Senor seconding. The motion passes on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, Mayor Langfelder asked for a motion to dispense with a reading of the minutes of the May 3, 2016 City Council meeting and approve the minutes. Alderman Senor made the motion, with Alderman Hanauer seconding the motion. 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 Theilen made the motion. Alderman Proctor seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0. Next, Mayor Langfelder asked for a motion to put the consent agenda on final passage. Alderman Theilen made the motion for 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 McMenamin , Alderman Theilen , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman Hanauer

Next, Alderman Proctor made a motion to remove and withdraw agenda item 2016-100 from the ordinances and resolutions tabled or remaining in committee. Alderman Turner seconded the motion. Alderman Proctor said that there is a new ordinance being drafted with input from the Landlord Association that will make it fair for all the parties involved. The motion to remove and withdraw passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

City Council Minutes 7 May 17, 2016

Next, Alderman Donelan made a motion to remove 2016-152 from committee and place on tonight’s debate agenda for consideration. Alderman Hanauer seconded the motion. Alderman Donelan said the reason for bringing this out tonight is to have a discussion about returning some of the funds to the rate payers, and the Utility keep some of the funds. Mayor Langfelder asked Chief Engineer for CWLP Doug Brown to come to address some questions the Aldermen might have. The motion to remove the agenda item from committee passed on a voice vote of 8-1.

Alderman Donelan said that there is a reasonable amount of what the Utility can save and that the rate payers can receive in rate relief. That would be a seventy-five to twenty-five split with the Utility getting the greater part of that to help fund some of the capital projects that will be coming up in the next several years. Alderman Donelan made a motion for final passage of the agenda item. Alderman Turner seconded the motion. Alderman Donelan would like to offer up an amendment to the agenda item stating that the Utility would retain seventy-five percent of the saving from the new coal contract.

The fuel adjustment calculation would be amended accordingly to the rate payers. Mr. Brown said lower amount would be calculated on a monthly basis on the usage per kilowatt hour charge once this is enacted. Alderman Theilen wanted to know when CWLP could get this done. Mr. Brown said that is an additional charge. Mr. Brown said that the funds from this savings would be used to help bring the plant up to code on some of the new EPA rules coming up in the next few years. Some of those projects deal with ash disposal and scrubber waste. The project’s cost could range from forty to sixty million dollars.

Alderman Hanauer asked if the money saved would be used to bond to help pay for the projects. Mr. Brown said that the three million dollars in revenue would be used to bond up forty million dollars in projects. Mayor Langfelder said that is based on today’s scenarios. Mayor Langfelder wanted to know what the savings will be for each resident. Mr. Brown said that the total savings would be two dollars with this proposal the rate payer would see a fifty cent savings a month on their bill. Mayor Langfelder said that he will not bring a rate increase; it would be up to the Aldermen to do that if this plan doesn’t work.

Alderman Turner wanted to know why a seventy-five twenty-five split. Alderman Donelan said that once the dollar amount generated would be determined the utility could bond up to forty million dollars. Alderman Turner said that the twenty-five is a small amount for the rate payers to receive.

Alderman McMenamin wanted to know if Mr. Brown was aware of Alderman Donelan bringing this before the City Council tonight. Mr. Brown said no. Alderman McMenamin asked the same question to the Mayor, who responded no. Alderman McMenamin does not think this is good government that a proposal of moving funds into reserve accounts and rebates back to rate payers wasn’t discussed before tonight’s meeting. Aldermen aren’t given time to think about what might happen, and asked that this go through the Committee next week.

Alderman Donelan said that Alderman McMenamin does make a good point, but this needs to be addressed so that the savings are not all passed out. Mr. Brown said that the coal price is lower and the coal inventory goes down and there are savings coming in slowly. The longer the City City Council Minutes 8 May 17, 2016 waits the more of an increase to the cost to the rate payers later on for the capital projects.

Alderman Redpath said that the savings was to be used for projects for the utility and this is giving the rate payers some savings. Alderman Senor wants to see the utility take a year and see what projects are coming and give a total dollar amount for all the Aldermen to see. Alderman Theilen said that he has some of the same concerns that Alderman Redpath has and that the rate payers need to see some relief on their bill. Alderman Donelan said that this has sat dormant and there need to be a discussion about this and move it forward. Alderman Donelan said the reason this was brought up tonight was to make sure the rate payers are getting some of the relief from the coal contract savings. Alderman Redpath wanted to know if there is a trigger date for this to happen. Mr. Brown said that it already started due to the new coal contract and the coal inventory coming in. Alderman Hanauer wanted to know what has happened to the coal savings from the first of the year when there was a new price for coal. Mr. Brown said that savings have been coming off the fuel adjustment cost for the costumers. Alderman Donelan made a motion to send the agenda item back to committee. Alderman Fulgenzi seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote 9-0.

Next, agenda item 2016-201 an ordinance approving the plan for the large scale development of Fresh Visions Community Church, located on the west side of J. David Jones Parkway across for the Oak Ridge Cemetery entrance, for the Office of Public Works. Alderman Proctor made a motion to place the agenda item on final passage. Alderman Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0 voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner

Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Theilen ,

Alderman Donelan , and Alderman Hanauer

Next, agenda item 2016-202 an ordinance regarding the variance request of Section 153.157(l) pertaining to restriction of access for the large scale development of Fresh Visions Community Church, located on the west side of J. David Jones Parkway across from the Oak Ridge Cemetery entrance for the Office of Public Works. Alderman Proctor made a motion to place the agenda item on final passage. Alderman Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0 voting yes:

Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman

Proctor , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Theilen , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman

Hanauer

Next, agenda item 2016-203 an ordinance authorizing the execution of an annexation agreement with Pete L Meeker and Nancy Meeker for the property located at 2923-2925 Holmes Avenue.

Alderman Senor made a motion to recess the regular session of the Council meeting and hold a public hearing. Alderman Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0. Seeing no one come before the public hearing, Alderman Redpath made a motion to close the public meeting. Alderman Proctor seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0. Alderman McMenamin made a motion to place the agenda item on final passage. Alderman

Senor seconded the motion. The motion passed 10-0 voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman

McMenamin , Alderman Theilen , Alderman Donelan , Alderman Hanauer and Mayor

Langfelder

City Council Minutes 9 May 17, 2016

Next, agenda item 2016-206 an ordinance authorizing payment to Greg Furkin, an Office of Public Works employee, to settle a workers’ compensation claim for case number 15-WC-21249

Alderman Theilen made a motion to place the agenda item 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 McMenamin ,

Alderman Theilen , Alderman Donelan , and Alderman Hanauer

Next agenda item 2016-212 an ordinance authorizing payment of $30,000.00 to Lincoln Land Charity Championship for regional and local marketing and promotion of the PGA Tour golf in Springfield, July 11-17, 2016, and authorizing a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $15,000.00 from 107 unapproriated fund balance for the Office of Budget and Management.

Alderman Hanauer made a motion to place the agenda item on final passage. Alderman Theilen seconded the motion. Alderman McMenamin made a motion to amend the amount of the unapproriated from $15,000.00 from each fund to $10,000.00 for a total amount of $20,000.00

Alderman Turner seconded the motion. Mayor Langfelder asked for a roll call vote. Voting yes:

Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , and

Alderman McMenamin voting no: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Theilen , Alderman

Donelan , Alderman Hanauer and Mayor Langfelder the motion fails for not have a majority of votes. The motion passed 8-2 voting yes: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Fulgenzi , Alderman Proctor , Alderman Theilen , Alderman Donelan , Alderman Hanauer and Mayor Langfelder voting no: Alderman Turner and Alderman McMenamin

Next, Alderman McMenamin wanted to know if the Mayor could asked for a representative from SMTD to come to next week’s Committee of the Whole. The Mayor said that he will get a hold of all the predicating parties to come.

Next, Mayor Langfelder said that the city is working with the state legislators to extend the

downtown TIF district. All the taxing bodies are on board to extend the downtown TIF.

Next, Mayor Langfelder said that they have met with all the proposals for the North Mansion Block. The City has asked for some additional information that he can give to the Economic Development Council for their vetting and then to the City Council.

Next, Alderman Fulgenzi wanted to mention that the Officer Prescott memorial is going through a House Committee meeting on Thursday at 2 pm. If it passes it will name an overpass at 9th Street in his name.

Next, Chief Winslow wanted to tell the Alderman that on Thursday there will be a promotion ceremony in the Chambers at 1:30 PM on May 19th

Next, Alderman Theilen said that the county has agreed to a date for the City vs. County softball game, which will be July 17th

City Council Minutes 10 May 17, 2016

Next, Alderman Theilen wanted to thank the Mayor for assisting with a school group from St. Louis and giving them a tour of his office. The kids were excited about seeing Lincoln’s home, the Mayor’s office and some of the other sites and now the kids want to come back and spend another day in Springfield with their parents.

Next, Gina Gemberling gave a round up on tourism week; she said the most important thing is to have the residents be a good ambassador for the city.

Next, Alderman Senor said that he became a grandfather for the second time last night.

Next, Mayor Langfelder said that CWLP will be having a public discussion on Thursday night from 6:30 to 8 PM and the topic will be electric distribution.

Next, Mayor Langfelder said that he is drafting an ordinance that will be a local employment preference for city contracts.

Next, David Davis from 1024 N Rutledge spoke about the high cost of rent.

Next, Janet Camp from 1618 W Jefferson lot 17 wanted to thank the Aldermen and Mayor for addressing the issues she brought forth a few weeks ago.

Next, Jack Hutchinson from 1227 East Jackson Street with the Faith Coalition for the Common Good spoke in support of a residency requirement for city employees.

Next, Alice Remey wanted to thank the Springfield Fire Department for coming and helping her when she was ill a few weeks ago.

Next, Aaron Hill 1127 South 16th Street spoke about the need to get some after school programs for the children and getting them off the street.

Next, Mayor Langfelder entertained a motion for adjournment. The motion was made by

Alderman Redpath and seconded by Alderman Hanauer. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0. The May 17, 2016 City Council Meeting adjourned at 6:57 P.M.

Frank J. Lesko

Frank J. Lesko

City Clerk

Minutes Approved on 6/7/2016