Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met May 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Mayor Berola called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Present: Tom Berola, Julie Barnhill, Chris Warwick, Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos, Jr., Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard and Seth Williams.

Absent: City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler, City Attorney Raylene Grischow, Junior Aldermen: Carter Evans, Olivia Grider and Samantha Wheeler

Department Heads: Chief Dave Campbell and Mike McCarthy.

I. Mayor’s Comments

Corporate Tax Issue-

Mayor Berola discussed the options available with the corporate tax issue with the Council. He gave them 3 options: 1) retain the corporate tax; 2) refund it to the citizens or 3) refund a portion of the tax. The Council discussed the pros and cons of each option. A motion was made by Alderman Basiewicz to declare an emergency on the corporate tax; second by Alderman Rod Johnson. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

Since declaring an emergency, a motion was made by Johnson to abate $100,000 to corporate tax for the Library from this year’s budget; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

Appointment of Chairman of Economic Development Committee-

Mayor Berola recommended to the Council for their approval the appointment of Matt Brown as the new Chairman of the Economic Development Committee. This appointment comes after Wayde Rathgerber resigned as Chairman of the Economic Development Committee due to his very busy schedule. A motion was made by Hemmerle to appoint Matt Brown as the new Chairman of the Economic Development Committee; second by Powell. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

FOIA Officer-

Mayor Berola suggested to the Council for their review and approval of changing the FOIA Officer from the City Clerk to the City Office Manager. Due to the City Office Manager already completing the FOIA requests and the City Clerk not having immediate access to the records, it is the Mayor’s recommendation to appoint the City Office Manager as the FOIA Officer. A motion was made by Johnson to appoint the City Office Manager as the FOIA Officer effective immediately; second by Hemmerle. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

Touch a Truck Library Event (July 11, 2018)-

Mayor Berola informed the Council that the Auburn Library wants to block the square off and close the streets from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2018. The program will include fire trucks, police cars, city trucks, etc. and will be similar to what the Auburn Elementary School hosted a few weeks back. Alderman Powell indicated that Wednesday evenings on the square is not a good night to be blocking off the streets due to the Auction at the Auction House. Mayor Berola will inform the Library to pick another date.

II. Visitors/Public Comments

Mr. & Mrs. Waterkotte provided information to the Council about the property at 412 N. 1st Street. They live next door and are tired of critters (snakes, raccoons, possums, etc.) running out of the property into their yard due to the fact that it is not maintained. Jessica Waterkotte informed the Council that she runs a home daycare and should not have to deal with this. The Mayor informed the Waterkotte’s that the property at 413 N. 1st Street is going to be dealt with later on the agenda and they were welcome to stay and add additional information to the discussion. The Waterkotte’s thanked the Council for their time.

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. April 16 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Julie Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on May 7, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to approve the May 7, 2018 minutes, second by Basiewicz. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

IV. Treasurer’s Report – Warwick

A. Bills List May 8, 2018 to May 21, 2018

Warwick presented the Bills List from May 8, 2018 to May 21, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Williams to approve the Bills List from May 8, 2018 to May 21, 2018, second by Sheppard. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

Warwick presented the April 2018 Cash Report for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the April 2018 Cash Report; second by Johnson. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

V. Attorney’s Report –

A. Tabling of Ordinance 1452-18 – Mobile Food Truck Ordinance

A motion was made by Johnson to table Ordinance 1452-18 to allow Attorney Grischow time to add additional information that came out of the Health and Safety Meeting with Rick King and Chris Clary, owners of the Fat Guy and a Fryer Food Truck into the Mobile Food Truck Ordinance, 1452-18, second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

B. Second Reading, Resolution 72-17

Mayor Berola suggested to the Council that Resolution 72-17 be tabled due to the fact that additional language needs to be added by Attorney Grischow to the Quit Claim Deed for 338 W. Jefferson (library). A motion was made by Johnson to table Resolution 72-17 for Attorney Grischow to add additional language; second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

C. Second Reading, Resolution 74-18 – Street Light Request on Huntington Drive Mayor Berola presented Resolution 74-18 – Street Light Request on Huntington Drive for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve Resolution 74-18 – Street Light request on Huntington Drive; second by Sheppard. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

Alderman Garrett informed the council that a resident on Maple Street has approached him and asked that a street light be placed on Maple Street in front of her residence. Garrett informed the Council that the street is very dark. Garrett also brought up that a street light needs to be placed on Van Buren by the old Heritage Chevrolet. After a discussion of street lights and informing neighbors, etc., the Council decided to do some additional research on installing street lights. Superintendent McCarthy will look into this matter.

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

Chief Campbell informed the Council that the new police car has arrived and Sergeant Sheppard is driving it. The old logo will soon be placed on the car. The police department participated in the Auburn Elementary School safety fair and it was very enjoyable.

B. Mike McCarthy

1) Roller Repair

Superintendent McCarthy presented to the Council a bid for repair of the City roller for the Councils review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve the bid not to exceed $3500 @ Martin Equipment; second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

2) 14921 Kennedy Road (Ippenson Approach)

Superintendent McCarthy informed the council that the Ippenson Approach is complete and went very smoothly.

C. Ponsler

No Report due to Ponsler being absent

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Hire Cleaning Staff-

Alderman Johnson was informed that the City Office Manager wanted to hire the position of cleaning staff and made the following recommendations: hire employee at $12 per hour with a guarantee of 10 hours per week or 40 hours month. The employee would clean the City Office 2 days per week and the Community Center 2 days per week and the annual salary would calculate to $5700 per year. After discussion with the Council, a motion was made by Johnson to table the hiring of cleaning staff until some additional information could be figured out; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

Executive Session – Personnel and Labor Negotiations

Alderman Johnson informed the Council that he will need an Executive Session at the end of the regular meeting to discuss Personnel and Labor Negotiations.

B. Public Works/Public Utilities – Johnson

Aldermen Johnson and Hemmerle – No Report.

C. Health & Safety – Williams

Food Truck Ordinance-

Alderman Williams presented the changes for the Food Truck Ordinance 1452-18 that Attorney Grischow will incorporate into the Ordinance.

Police Clerical Work-

Alderman Williams informed the Council that with the hiring of the new Police Chief it is not necessary for additional clerical support within the Police Department. A motion was made by Williams to relinquish the clerical duties and $1 per hour compensation provided by Becky Pisarek effective May 22, 2018 and to allow the Police Chief to take over these duties; second by Johnson. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0).

Health & Safety Meeting-

Alderman Williams set a Health & Safety Committee Meeting for Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 6 p.m.

D. Health & Housing – Sheppard

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council with regards to the property at 412 N. 1st Street (Landers) and which the neighbors, Mr. & Mrs. Waterkotte previously spoke about during visitor’s comments. The property and the structures are in very bad shape. A motion was made by Sheppard to declare the property at 412 N. 1st Street (parcel #229- 016) a dangerous property and for the structures to be removed; second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0). The owners will be asked to make an appearance at the next City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, June 4, 2018.

E. Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle – No Report.

F. Sidewalks -- Garrett

Alderman Garrett informed the Council that 4 of the 7 trees are down and all of them will be down by Saturday. He is working on the sidewalk plan.

G. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz – No Report

Motion to adjournment to executive session was made by Williams at 8:26 p.m.; second by Johnson. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

Motion to come back in regular meeting from executive session was made by Powell at 9:20 p.m.; second by Williams. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

VIII. Other Business

IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment was made by Sheppard at 9:22 p.m.; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

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