Sangamon Sun

City of Leland Grove City Council met February 27. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

The Honorable Mayor Jill Egizii called the meeting to order at 6:00pm and those gathered recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk then called the Roll with members listed below as present or absent accordingly:

Honorable Mayor Jill Egizii (P)

City Treasurer Brian Miller (P)

City Clerk Steve Klokkenga (P)

Legal Counsel Saul Morse (P)

Alderman Jim Moll, Ward 2 (P)

Alderman Patricia Wilson, Ward 1 (P)

Alderman Diana Hetherington, Ward 1(P)

Alderman Nick Williams, Ward 2 (A)

Alderman Mary Jo Bangert, Ward 3(P)

Alderman Donald LoBue, Ward 3 (P)

Also present were:

Chief Dan Ryan, Leland Grove Police Department

Tyler Lanier, City Administrator

Kevin Kuhn, City Engineer

Approval - January 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes & Executive Meeting Minutes - A motion was made by Alderman LoBue and seconded by Alderman Moll to approve the February 2018 Regular Meeting minutes as written. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderman LoBue and seconded by Alderman Hetherington to approve the Executive Minutes from the February 2018 meeting. The motion carried unanimously.

Public Comments - City Administrator Lanier's Birthday was today. Alderman Hetherington's birthday is tomorrow. Council wished them both well on their birthdays.

Treasurers Report - Treasurer Miller submitted his monthly report to the Council for its consideration. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the paid warrants P-02-461 in the amount of $35,538.01. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the unpaid warrants from MFT fund P-02-460 in the amount of $223.62. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve unpaid warrants from the General fund P-02-459 in the amount of $12,853.93. The motion carried unanimously.

City Administrators Report - Administrator Lanier - Nothing to report at this time.

 Legal Updates and Actions - Attorney Morse

          Attorney Morse provided Council with his monthly Legal Update Memo for review.

          Traffic Citation Ordinance (Third reading) - Alderman LoBue inquired about the ordinance, whether it will save some time for Chief Ryan and his staff. Chief Ryan responded that about same amount of time will be used with or without the ordinance. Alderman LoBue also asked when Chief Ryan or his staff have to go to court to fight citations, whether there is there any overtime involved? Chief Ryan indicated depending on the shifts of the patrolmen. Chief Ryan himself will cover for the officers when they are at trial during the day. A motion was made by Alderman LoBue and seconded by Alderman Hetherington to approve the Traffic Violations Ordinance as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

The Vacant Property Citation Ordinance was brought to Third Reading. A motion was made by Alderman Moll and seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the ordinance as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

The Public Safety Employee Benefit Ordinance was brought to Second Reading.

Department Reports - 

Finance and Revenue -Alderman Hetherington thanked everyone for their input in the budget process and presented a draft budget for 2018/2019. The Council briefly discussed the budget and how the insurance costs make up a large part of the budget expense. Alderman Hetherington asked for input from the Council and highlighted some items that are out there which we have no control of, such as our Pension Plan.

Alderman LoBue talked to Chip Thieben with Dimond Brothers Insurance. Mr. Thieben hopes to offer better rates this year. The City currently has Blue Cross for insurance. The City will get a letter concerning the status of its Plan and is currently maintaining an AHCA Platinum plan. The City's insurance plan is good but costly. Health Alliance is putting together some quotes as well. When Alderman LoBue receives the quotes, Council can review the different plans (Alderman LoBue will review with Chief Ryan and Administrator Lanier.)

Health, Sanitation and Environment - Alderman Wilson - Nothing to report at this time.

Police and Public Safety - Alderman Williams/Chief Ryan

Chief Ryan presented his Monthly Activity Report for the Council to review. He recently had a residence on Park Ave where alcohol was a problem and domestic fights ensued. There was a recent residential burglary over on Greenbriar Street. It was not a random burglary, it was a domestic issue between a couple that evolved into a burglary.

Brittany Rush turned in her Letter of Resignation from the Police Department to accept a job in

Tennessee. The Council wishes her well.

Human Resources - Alderman LoBue - Previously reported above.

Public Ways and Property - Alderman Moll

Laurel & Illini Intersection - Work is expected to begin anytime in Mid-April. Administrator Lanier will have signage in place at the location for the duration of the work. Alderman Moll indicated that he would like to make sure any contractor completes the project once it starts. The Landscape plan is also scheduled to being as well.

Wildwood Culvert - Kevin Kuhn read through a report on this issue and it appears that the culvert is at the end of its useful life. The City will need to develop a plan to replace it at some point in the future. The City will monitor the culvert every 6 months and plans to replace the culvert within the next 2-3 years. Additional signage may be a good idea and may help keep unnecessary vehicles off of the location.

The City of Springfield has been filling potholes on Chatham Road. Administrator Lanier will maintain a record of when they have been there to fill the potholes.

Building Permits & Zoning - Alderman Bangert

Monthly Activity Report was submitted.

Old Business

FY2019 Budget - previously discussed,

New Business

2018 Kuhn and Trello Service Agreement - The annual agreement was submitted for review and signature. Council agreed an Indemnification Form will need to be added. This matter will be added to the March Agenda.

Kevin Kuhn is now the City Engineer. Micky Mann has moved on to greener pastures. Council appreciates their work and participation in the meetings.

Alderman Bangert talked about the City of Springfield's new tax on natural gas. Ameren will hold the tax. Attorney Morse indicated that if Leland Grove itself taxes for natural gas, it would need to hold a referendum. In general, the utilities and or the Department of Revenue (DOR) is relatively good about separating out by census tract, which the natural gas tax would apply. There is potential for DOR to make mistakes and improperly tax Leland Grove residents, however.

A motion was made by Alderman Bangert and seconded by Alderman Hetherington to go into Executive Session to discuss legal matters. The Council approved unanimously.

The Council arose from the Regular Meeting and went into Executive Session.

The Council, after Executive Session, returned to the Regular Meeting. A motion was made by Alderman Moll and seconded by Alderman Hetherington to adjourn the Regular Meeting, which carried unanimously.

Adjournment

http://www.lelandgrove.com/vertical/sites/%7B7B9F0F5C-E285-4429-AE01-5A52F12A8282%7D/uploads/Minutes_February_2018.pdf