Sangamon Sun

City of Springfield Committee of the Whole met August 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Ward 1 Chuck Redpath Ward 6 Kristin DiCenso

Ward 2 Herman Senor Ward 7 Joe McMenamin (Chair)

Ward 3 Doris Turner Ward 8 Kris Theilen (Vice Chair)

Ward 4 John Fulgenzi Ward 9 Jim Donelan

Ward 5 Andrew Proctor Ward 10 Ralph Hanauer

Alderman McMenamin called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 5:30pm. He invited everyone to join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman McMenamin asked for a motion to allow Alderman Donelan to attend the meeting by phone. Alderman Proctor made the motion to allow Alderman Donelan to attend remotely. Alderman Theilen seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Clerk Lesko took the roll call of members.

Present: Alderman Redpath , Alderman Senor , Alderman Turner , Alderman Fulgenzi, Alderman Proctor , Alderman DiCenso , Alderman McMenamin , Alderman Theilen , Alderman Donelan via phone and Alderman Hanauer

Clerk Lesko announced that the committee had a quorum.

Next, Alderman McMenamin asked for a motion to approve the committee meeting minutes for July 25, 2017. Alderman Senor made the motion with Alderman Proctor seconding the motion to dispense with the reading and approve the minutes. The motion passed with a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, Treasurer Buscher gave the Treasurer’s report. The Corporate Fund had beginning balance for the month of July 2017 $1,884,295. The City took in $11,012,961 and total disbursements of $7,904,925 with an ending balance for July 2017 of $4,992,331. The Treasurer’s Office went live with the new software so there are no longer two systems.

Next, Alderman McMenamin asked if all the Aldermen received the Office of Budget and Management Contract Report and asked if they had any questions.

Alderman McMenamin wanted to look at one item on the report, $15,000.00 sponsorship of the Springfield Sliders baseball team. Alderman McMenamin said that any sponsorship of athletic teams is required to go through City Council. Alderman Theilen asked if it was an advertisement or sponsorship. Mayor Langfelder said it was a sponsorship, the Web.com golf tournament came an asked for money for their tournament. This is a way the city is showing its support for the Sliders.

Alderman Redpath wanted to know if this opens the door to other teams coming in and asking the city for money. Alderman Theilen said that he wanted to give the money to the Sliders, but for things that needed upgrading and improvements. Alderman Redpath said that the ballpark is under the Park District and he needs to go to the park board for those monies. Director McCarty said that the funds came from the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and not from the corporate fund. Alderman Fulgenzi wanted to know if there was any funds set aside from the park district to help maintain Robin Roberts Field. Alderman Hanauer said he would look into that issue.

Next, Alderman McMenamin asked that John Kinnamon and Raj Suri from EmberClear give their presentation to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Suri said that there are misconceptions about EmberClear; they are not struggling and have adapted to the market and are now building natural gas power plants. It’s a privately owned company. One of their more successful projects was the building of a 360 MW Good Spring Power Project, located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. In 2014, the project was substantially completed and sold to Tyr Energy. There are three other projects that EmberClear is working on right now. One is located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Another is in Harrison County, Ohio and the third would be here in Illinois once a site is agreed to. In the United State there are replacement plants going on to get off of coal and going to natural gas which is cheaper. EmberClear would like the Council to approve the extension on the enterprise zone.

Mr. Kinnamon said that the proposed Lincoln Land Energy Center is a good location because of minimum congestion and location to natural gas lines. Water is an issue in that it is needed to cool things down and water is becoming scarce. Once the enterprise zone is passed, there will be more public hearings to gage the public interest on the project. EmberClear wants to be a good neighbor and a welcomed neighbor. Mr. Kinnamon said that no major, private investor will come forward without the enterprise zone. It is the starting point of the project. Once there is an air permit obtained, that will be the start of construction. There will be significant impact on the area, and it will take a year to eighteen months to get all the permits. Once everything is set and ready, construction would start in mid September 2019 with a finish date of November 30, 2022.

Alderman McMenamin asked Mr. Kinnamon if he would be back for the next Committee of the Whole meeting when the enterprise zone extension ordinance is discussed. He said yes.

Next, Clerk Lesko read the ordinances remaining in committee.

CC Zerkle asked that 2017-267 be put on the agenda for passage. The technical issues have been resolved and can be put on the debate agenda for Council approval. Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on committee consideration tonight. Alderman Theilen seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Alderman McMenamin wanted to withdraw 2017-101 and 2017-102 these were for the electric fund to reimburse the corporate fund. The reason for the withdrawal is that the bonds for the refinancing of the electric fund cannot be repaid. The second reason is the pending deal with EmberClear and CWLP might not be making PILOT payments to the corporate fund if CWLP is losing money. Alderman Redpath said that CWLP needs to keep as much funds as it can.

Next, agenda item 2017-267 An Ordinance Authorizing The Execution Of An Intergovernmental Agreement Between The Springfield Park District And The City Of Springfield Pertaining To The Ash Street Underpass And The Stanford Avenue Extension, For The Office Of Public Works Alderman Theilen made a motion to place the agenda item on the debate agenda. Alderman Turner seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the debate agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Theilen seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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. D/B/A Battery Specialists + Golf Cars In An Amount Not To Exceed $81,550.00 For The Office Of Public Utilities Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Thelien seconded the motion. Alderman Redpath wanted to know what the UTVs are for. Doug Brown with CWLP said that this will be a replacement of the current fleet. Maintenance and Repair crews use these vehicles at the power plant instead of pickup trucks. The motion to place the agenda items on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Theilen seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Turbine For The Office Of Public Utilities Alderman Redpath made a motion to place on the consent agenda. Alderman Theilen seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Aldermen Proctor and Hanauer seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Hanauer made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Theilen seconded the motion. Alderman McMenamin wanted to know if the city would be mowing the lots and what’s the long term plan for the properties. Public Works Director Mark Mahoney said that the city is mowing the lots, but would defer to the Mayor and Planning and Economic Development about what will be done with the lots. Mayor Langfelder said it depends on the area. There are some lots that will be sold to members of the public. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Senor made a motion to place the agenda item on the debate agenda. Alderman Redpath seconded the motion. Alderman Senor wanted to know what is being developed at the sight. Director Mahoney said that the Department of Corrections is building a new building in the cut-a-sac area. It will be a warehouse storage area for their records. Alderman Senor said that he would like to change his motion from debate to consent. Alderman Redpath seconded the motion to place the agenda item on consent agenda. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Theilen made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman DiCenso seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Theilen made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Turner seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Redpath made motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Theilen seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Theilen made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Hanauer seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 10-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Turner made a motion to place the agenda on the consent agenda. Alderman Proctor seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Turner made a motion to place the agenda item on the debate agenda. Alderman Hanauer seconded the motion. CC Zerkle said that there was a reorganization of the LLC developer to get the sale of the tax credits. Brian Hollenbeck with Economic Growth Corporation said there were some changes to the tax credit. The motion to place the agenda item on the debate agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Hanauer made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Theilen seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 8-0-1 with Alderman Fulgenzi voting present.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Senor made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Redpath seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 8-0-1 with Alderman Fulgenzi voting present.

Next, agenda item 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 Alderman Proctor made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Senor seconded the motion. Alderman Redpath wanted to know what the rent was prior to this. CC Zerkle said it was $900 a month and they can’t afford that now. Mayor Langfelder said that they currently pay utilities. Alderman McMenamin wanted to know if this lease would be available for future tenants later on if they chose to leave. CC Zerkle said that the lease is able to be canceled by either party with a 90 days’ notice. The current agreement is for 36 months, but is cancelable by either party.

Alderman Turner said that the building was empty for years and they have made repairs and maintain the building. This museum gives another reason for people to go out to Oak Ridge Cemetery. Director Mike Lelys said that the city has replaced an HVAC unit and painted the outside of the building. Most of the other improvements were inside which the museum did. Alderman Theilen wanted to know where the rent was going. Mr. Lelys said that it was going into the endow care fund, it does not go into the corporate fund. Alderman Senor said that he is glad someone is in the building. Director McCarty said that the endow care fund was the source to purchase the building years ago and that is the reason the rent goes back into the endow care fund. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 2017-387 An Ordinance Approving The Reappointment Of H. Edward Cramer, P.E. To The Mechanical Commission Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on the debate agenda. Alderman Hanauer seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the debate agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, agenda item 2017-389 An Ordinance Authorizing Payment In The Amount Of $72,613.23 For Settlement Of Risk Management Claim Number Al20161020172 Alderman Redpath made a motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda. Alderman Hanauer seconded the motion. The motion to place the agenda item on the consent agenda passed on a voice vote of 9-0.

Next, Alderman Redpath wanted to know where the RFP for the city garage is at. Director McCarty said that the information is being gathered, but has been put off to the side as labor negations are taking place right now. The RFP will be out within the six month window that the Council requested.

Next, Alderman McMenamin asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Redpath made the motion. Alderman Hanauer seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote of 9-0. The Committee of the Whole adjourned at 6:52 pm

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