Sangamon Sun

The Leland Grove City Council met Dec. 20 to point out inaccuracies in the previous meeting's minutes.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:

M I N U T E S City Council of Leland Grove Regular Meeting Minutes December 20, 2016 6:00 pm Instructional Resource Center 2000 Chatham Road Leland Grove, IL 62704

The Honorable Mayor Jill Egizii called the meeting to order promptly at 6:00 pm and the Pledge of Allegiance was taken by those present.

THE ROLL CALL was taken by Clerk Klokkenga and a quorum was present. The following members were present (P) or absent (A) as indicated: Jill Egizii, Mayor (P) Brian Miller, Treasurer, (P) Steve Klokkenga, Clerk, (P) Saul Morse, Legal Counsel, (P) Diana Hetherington, Alderman, Ward 1, (P) Jan Creasey, Alderman, Ward 1 (A) Nick Williams, Alderman, Ward 2, (P) Jim Moll, Alderman, Ward 2, (P) Donald LoBue, Alderman, Ward 3, (P) Mary Jo Bangert, Alderman, Ward 3 (P)

Also Present were: Chief Dan Ryan, Leland Grove Police City Administrator, Tyler Lanier City Engineer, Micky Mann

APPROVAL -November 22, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes. A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Moll to approve the November Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS -

1. The Annual Financial Report was given by Estes Bridgewater and Ogden. A Copy of the report was provided and will be admitted into the official record. Treasurer Miller did some comparisons between last year and the current year. The report includes all Required Disclosures.

The Illinois State Comptroller's local government report has been completed and is being sent to the Illinois Office of the Comptroller for filing.

2. Kent Gray, resident at 2116 Illini Road, asked to address the Council. Mr. Gray wanted to point out what he believed were inaccuracies with the September 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes. Mr. Gray cited that the fence mentioned in the Minutes was not moved on to the property of his in-laws. He also believes that the mention of his recent divorce should be removed from the Minutes. He further stated that the minutes indicated "if his house sells, the lien would be attached" and he made it clear that his house is not for sale.

Mr. Gray Stated that the council has unjustly went to the county and filed a lien. He further argued that the Council should not make that kind of decision, but rather a court/judge should make that decision. Mr. Gray asked the Council to either sue him or drop the entire issue.

Alderman Moll asked Mr. Gray if the city contacted him about filing a permit for the fence. Mr. Gray indicated that they did. Mr. Gray went on to further state that he believes the permit requirement is unlawful and that everyone who has paid a fine for the past 10 years did so in error based on the Ordinance as it is written and he would hope the city would reimburse those who have had to pay as well.

TREASURER'S REPORT - Treasurer Miller Treasurer Miller provided the Financial Statement to the Council. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Hetherington to approve paid warrants P12419 in the amount of $30, 971.93. The motion was seconded Alderman Williams and passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Williams to approve unpaid warrants from the General Fund P12417 in the amount of $21,416. 36. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Williams to approve unpaid warrants from fund P12418 in the amount of $241.24. The motion passed unanimously.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT City Administrator Lanier updated the Council on the following:

Leaf pick program is under budget. Sign taken off of poll on Cherry Road will need to be replaced. BLH has been contacted about Christmas tree lights pick up program for the City. The City's salt crew used more material than normal so far this year.

LEGAL UPDATE AND ACTIONS

Legal Memo Update - Attorney Morse Intergovernmental Agreement with Sangamon Co. for Commercial Building Inspections Intergovernmental Agreement with Sangamon Co. for Residential Building Inspections The City ordinance called for the 2012 building code but Sangamon County is still using the 2006 building codes. A Leland Grove ordinance would not comply with what the County can do. The Council may want to consider not using Sangamon County for inspections. Options would be to amend the Zoning ordinance to go back to 2006 codes. The Council would like the City to wait until Alderman Creasy has had a change to weigh in on this issue. Clerk Klokkenga will place this issue on the January Agenda for further consideration. Alderman Moll suggests the Council give the County a try or not use them at all. He recommends we go ahead and work with the County and work with them on getting timely responses to inspections.

A motion was made by Alderman LoBue and seconded by Alderman Moll to Amend the current building code ordinance to reflect the current county ordinance and amending the Inter Governmental Agreement to reflect the "the current codes used by the county." The Council waived the three readings rule for this particular measure.

The Council asked the Clerk to place Passing Intergovernmental Agreement on the January Agenda.

Alderman LoBue discussed the Amendment which should add the words "or such other changes adopted by the county" to make it more adaptable without having to keep amending it over time. The Motion was read to amend section 8-1-1 of the City building code so that 2012 is changed to the 2006 edition of the building code. Adding into the end of then section "or such changes adopted by the county." The motion carried 4 Yes, 0 N0, and one abstention by Alderman Hetherington.

Alderman Moll provided some additional comments about giving Sangamon County the ability to approve items which Leland Grove has not approved. If the County makes a mistake, they need to be responsible, not Leland Grove. Attorney Morse will check with Jim Stone about these issues. Alderman LoBue wants the City to check and make sure our city insurance will cover anything that occurs as well.

The recent Air B & B issue has been resolved. The owner admitted he did not know they were prohibited in Leland Grove and will comply with the City's Ordinance.

The Springfield Regional Planning Commission asked to become our Plat Officer and the City has agreed. The agreement Attorney Morse made was given to Norm Sims and he has some questions. He will get back with us at the next meeting.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Finance and Revenue - Alderman Hetherington - Nothing to report. Health, Sanitation and Environment - Alderman Creasey Police and Public Safety - Alderman Williams/Police Report from Chief Ryan The Council thanked Chief Ryan for planning the Christmas Party and for helping with Toys For Tots this year. The Police Dept. is still receiving donations for Toys for Tots and it was a huge success. Chief Ryan reported that Digi-ticket is not going to happen with the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk. The City is going to use different software and will retain any money from fines. The City is being charged $75/per Narcon packet by Public Health. By law, this item is Mandatory for police to use. Chief Ryan is still working on pricing.

Human Resources - Alderman LoBue - no report. Public Ways and Property - Alderman Moll reported that the City of Springfield is thinking about Chatham Road again. He strongly suggested the Mayor of Springfield get together with the Mayors of Jerome and Leland Grove to discuss funding issues.

Mayor Egizii has been talking to State Representative Sara Jiminez about funding for the Chatham Road project.

Building Permits and Zoning - Alderman Bangert submitted her end of the year report showing 43 building permits with 2 currently pending.

OLD BUSINESS Stop Sign Grant - Micky Mann, City Engineer, reported that the initial signs are on back order right now, but will be coming. Lost or unclaimed funds/Additional Revenue Generator, Azavar Inc. Alderman LoBue is concerned about being stuck with a fee from the company if we do not collect any money. The contract language is vague. The City needs to visit the language again and get clarification. Mayor Egizii will talk to the Springfield City Treasurer since they use Azavar and discuss any concerns.

2017 MFT Budget for Approval - Council asked this be placed on December Agenda after discussion at the November meeting. After a positive discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Moll and seconded by Alderman Hetherington to pass the 2017 MFT Budget. The motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS None.

A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Bangert to Adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT Posted:___________ Date:__________ Time:___________