Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met Aug. 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

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

Present: Tom Berola, Julie Barnhill, Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos, Jr., Jason Garrett,

Rod Johnson, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard.

Absent: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams

Department Heads: Bruce Centko, Mike McCarthy, and Kristy Ponsler. City Attorney: Raylene Grischow.

I. Mayor’s Comments

A. Appointment of Ward I Alderman

Mayor Berola presented the appointment of Joe Powell to the Council for the 2 year remaining term for approval. A motion was made by Johnson to accept the appointment of Joe Powell as Alderman Ward I to the Council for the 2 year remaining term; second by Tracey Sheppard. Vote Aye: Vic Devos Jr, Rod Johnson, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Lori Basiewicz and Jason Garrett. PRESENT: None. Absent: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams: None (3-2-0-2) B. Oath of Office for Newly Elected Council Member

Clerk Barnhill administered the Oath of Office to Joe Powell, newly appointed member, to the position of Alderman Ward I to the Auburn City Council.

II. Visitors/Public Comments

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. August 7, 2017 Meeting Minutes

Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from meeting on August 7, 2017 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Devos to approve the meeting minutes, second by Garrett. AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: Joe Powell. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams (5-0-1-2) B. Alderman Garrett brought up the option of using a consent agenda for the purpose of approving meeting minutes, bills list and cash report. After a few minute discussion the consensus was to continue the current process.

IV. Treasurer’s Report – Warwick

A. Bills List August 8, 2017 to August 21, 2017

Warwick presented the Bills List from August 8, 2017 to August 21, 2017 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the Bills List from August 8, 2017 to August 21, 2017, second by Basiewicz. Voice Vote AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Joe Powell, Rod Johnson, and Tracey Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams. None (6-0- 0-2)

B. July Cash Report

Warwick presented the July Cash Report for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve the July Cash Report, second by Garrett. Voice Vote AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Joe Powell, Rod Johnson, and Tracey Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams. None (6-0-0-2)

V. Attorney’s Report –

A. Executive Session – Land Acquisition and Personnel

Attorney Grischow informed the Council that she will need an executive session at the end of the council meeting regarding land acquisition and personnel.

VI. Department Heads

A. Centko

1) Inoperable Vehicles

Chief Centko updated the council on the inoperable vehicle issue that continues throughout the City of Auburn. Mayor Berola believes that we need to address this via individual record, i.e. #22 declare van with license plate number, belonging to Betty Waggoner at 123 W. Adams, declare it a nuisance and give her a date to address problem by and if not fines will be applied from that date. That way it keeps the record clean and enforceable. Chief Centko has sent a form letter to all inoperable vehicle violators. Alderman Sheppard indicated that an additional letter, just like the weed letter, will be sent out. Attorney Grischow has approved the additional letter.

B. McCarthy

1) Approval for generator at New Garage

Superintendent McCarthy presented two generator bids to the council for their review. After lengthy discussion because the two bids received do not quote the same information, a motion was made by Johnson to approve Ryan Electrical, not to exceed $6250, to be paid for out of the gas fund unless it can be paid by the construction draw and therefore would be paid for by the bank, second by Garrett. Vote: AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Joe Powell, Rod Johnson and Tracey Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams. (6-0-0-2)

C. Ponsler

1) Travel approval for 2 employees to attend Gas Pipeline Safety Conference

October 18-19, 2017, in Effingham Illinois Office Manager Ponsler presented the council with information regarding 2 staff members to attend a Gas Pipeline Safety Conference, October 18-19, 2017 in Effingham Illinois for the councils review and approval. A motion was made by Garrett to allow two employees to attend Gas Pipeline Safety Conference, October 18-19, 2017 in Effingham, Illinois, and get reimbursed for travel expenses, second by Sheppard. Vote: AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Joe Powell, Rod Johnson and Tracey Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams. (6-0-0-2)

2) Travel approval for 2 employees to attend American Water Works Association

September 6, 2017 in Effingham Illinois. Office Manager Ponsler presented the council with information regarding two staff members to attend American Water Works Association, September 6, 2017 in Effingham, Illinois, and received reimbursement for travel. A motion was made by Garrett to allow two employees to attend American Water Works Association Conference September 6, 2017 in Effingham, Illinois, second by Sheppard. Vote: AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Joe Powell, Rod Johnson and Tracey Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams. (6-0-0-2)

3) Postage Machine Contract Change

Office Manager Ponsler presented the Council with information regarding switching the postage machine contract from Pitney Bowes (lease is up in January 2018 and price is $260) to Waltz Labeling and Mailing Systems (price quoted for $191) for review and approval. A motion was made by Devos to switch the postage machine contract from Pitney Bowes to Waltz Labeling and Mailing Systems, second by Sheppard. Vote: AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Joe Powell, Rod Johnson and Tracey Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams. (6-0-0-2)

4) Insurance change in Agent

Office Manager Ponsler presented some additional insurance that will be coming up for review in the near future. Alderman Garrett would like to have the opportunity to reach out to Arthur Gallagher. The Council agreed to entertain the idea of having multiple insurance companies to be considered. A committee meeting will take place once information has been received.

5) Roof Repairs

Office Manager Ponsler asked Craig Ladage and Randy Bourne take a look at the roof because it is leaking. Chief Centko said the Randy said that the roof only needs a boot and a few shingles to be replaced. Chief Centko is going to contact Randy Bourne and ask him to fix it, if under $500.

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Alderman Johnson indicated that he did not have a report.

B. Public Works/Public Utilities – Johnson

Alderman Johnson indicated that he did not have a report.

C. Health & Safety – Williams

Mayor Berola informed the council that he, Alderman Sheppard and Chief Centko met with 911 Director Mueller to discuss the possibilities of using Sangamon County 911 dispatch if the City of Auburn would have to go away from having their own dispatch. Sangamon County would not dispatch for city utilities, activate the emergency siren but would dispatch for EMS and Fire. Mayor Berola asked the Health & Safety Committee to provide data on the numbers of after hour call outs for utilities.

D. Health & Housing – Sheppard

1) 413 N. 1st Street—Landers

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council that she meet with Ray Landers, owner of the 413 N. 1st Street property. He has taken care of the problems that we presented to him. 2) 505 N. 11th Street – Sheff

Alderman Sheppard indicated that she would like to provide some additional time for the Sheff property for clean-up.

E. Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Basiewicz informed the Council that the last movie of “Movies in the Parks” was attended by approximately 40 adults and children. AAC has approached the parks committee asking if they would be willing to do one more movie and partner with them for Trunk or Treat.

F. Library – Garrett

Alderman Garrett will provide updated information in Executive Session.

VIII. Other Business

IX. Executive Session

Motion to go into Executive Session was made by Basiewicz at 8:10 p.m.; second by Sheppard. Voice Vote AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams (6-0-0-2)

Motion to adjournment from Executive Session was made by Garrett at 8:28 p.m.; second by Devos. Voice Vote AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams (6-0-0-2)

X. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment was made by Devos at 8:32 p.m.; second by Garrett. Voice Vote AYE: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle and Seth Williams (6-0-0-2)

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