Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met May 7.

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 (telephone), Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos, Jr., Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard and Seth Williams.

Junior Alderman: Carter Evans, Olivia Grider, and Samantha Wheeler

Absent: None

Department Heads: Chief Dave Campbell, Kristy Ponsler, Mike McCarthy and City Attorney Raylene Grischow.

I. Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Berola informed the council that Treasurer Chris Warwick had to be out of town for work tonight and would like to call into the meeting. A motion was made by Basiewicz to allow Treasurer Chris Warwick to call into the meeting; second by Powell. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

Mayor Berola informed that Council that he has been approach by Auburn Resident Ron Appelt and he would like to see a street light at the corner of Kennedy & Willemore Estates. The cost would be $5.25 per month to the city for the electric. Attorney Grischow has drafted Resolution 74-18 and is up for a first reading.

NewWave has also been brought to the Councils attention that it is not making services available to new customers within the Willemore Estates and Timberbrooke subdivision. Attorney Grischow will follow up with NewWave regarding this matter.

II. Visitors/Public Comments

Rick King and Chris Clary, co-owners of Fat Guy & Fryer, attended the Council meeting and stressed major concern with the new Mobile Food Truck ordinance. After discussing some of their concerns, Mayor Berola suggested that they work with Alderman Williams on the new Mobile Food Truck Ordinance. Alderman Williams set a meeting with King and Clary to discuss their concerns for Monday, May 14 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. April 16 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Julie Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on April 16, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the April 16, 2018 minutes as amended, second by Johnson. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

IV. Treasurer’s Report – Warwick

A. Bills List April 17, 2018 to May 7, 2018

Warwick presented the Bills List from April 17, 2018 to May 7, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to approve the Bills List from April 17, 2018 to May 7, 2018, second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, 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 additional input into the Mobile Food Truck Ordinance, 1452-18, second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

B. Bond Counsel Engagement Letter

Attorney Grischow presented a Bond Counsel Engagement Letter to the Council for their review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to accept and approval Mike Southworth as bond counsel for the City of Auburn with regard to financing the costs of improvements to the water system through a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or through the USDA Rural development, second by Johnson. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

C. First Reading, Resolution 74-18 – Street Light Request on Huntington Drive

Attorney Grischow presented Resolution 74-18 – Street Light Request on Huntington Drive for a first reading to the Council.

D. Executive Session – Labor Negotiations

Attorney Grischow informed the Council that she will need an executive session regarding Labor Negotiations.

Motion to adjournment to executive session was made by Johnson at 7:41 p.m.; second by Williams. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, 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 Garrett at 8:22 p.m.; second by Williams. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Tracy Sheppard (7-0-0-1)

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

Chief Campbell informed the Council that everything is going well with the job. He pointed out that the ladies in the office have been a huge help.

B. Mike McCarthy

1) Replacement of Fence by Merritt Field

Superintendent McCarthy presented to the Council a bid for replacement fence at Merritt Field for review and approval. A motion was made by Hemmerle to approve the bid not to exceed $570 for the replacement of fence for Merritt Field; second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: Jason Garrett. Absent: None (7-0-1-0)

2) 14921 Kennedy Road (Ippenson Approach)

Superintendent McCarthy presented to the Council for their review and approval of bid of work for the Ippenson approach off of Kennedy. A motion was made by Johnson to approve the bid not to exceed $4000 and be paid out of general for the Ippenson approach off of Kennedy, second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

C. Ponsler

1) Resignation of Jessica Waterkotte as Cleaning Staff

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler informed the Council that Jessica Waterkotte has resigned at cleaning staff. A motion was made by Johnson to accept the resignation of Jessica Waterkotte as cleaning staff member effective April 18, 2018; second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

2) Illinois Municipal Treasurer’s Conference – (June 24-26, 2018 in Springfield)

Office Manager Ponsler provided information to the Council for their review and approval of the Illinois Municipal Treasurer’s Conference in Springfield from June 24-26, 2018 and the cost is $275 registration fee. A motion was made by Johnson to approve Office Manager Kristy Ponsler registration fee of $275 to attend the Illinois Municipal Treasurer’s Conference in Springfield from June 24- 26, 2019, second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Joint Administration & Public Works/Public Utilities Committee Meeting – April 23, 2018

Engineering Services Agreement with Benton and Associates, Inc.

Alderman Johnson presented the Engineering Services Agreement with Benton and Associates for the Councils review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve the Engineering Services Agreement with Benton and Associates, Inc. pending approval by Attorney Grischow; second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

Budget Billing:

Alderman Johnson presented information regarding the discussion that took place during the Joint Administration & Public Works/Public Utilities Committee Meeting on April 23, 2018. Office Manager Ponsler indicated to the committee that due to difficulties with figuring the new monthly payment for each of the 137 customers who wish to participate in the budget billing program, she asked the council members in attendance if it was still their intention to offer budget billing. After some discussion, the consensus of those in attendance was to recommend to the Council to remove the budget billing program. Ponsler indicated that the city office will notify customers that the budget billing program will no longer be offered. After a lengthy discussion with the Council and discussing the complaints received about eliminating the program, a motion was made by Johnson to eliminate the budget billing program effective FY19; second by Garrett. Vote Aye: None Nay: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Present: None. Absent: None (0-8-0-0)

Group Health Insurance:

Alderman Johnson presented information regarding making a change of agent on record for the Group health Insurance. A motion was made by Johnson to approve a change of record for the Group Health Insurance; second by Garrett. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Rod Johnson, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: Vic Devos, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell Present: None. Absent: None (5-3-0-0)

2018-2019 Budget:

Alderman Johnson presented the proposed 2018-2019 Budget for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve the 2018-2019 Budget; second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

B. Public Works/Public Utilities – Johnson

Discussion and Approval of 2018 MFT General Maintenance Program and Appropriating $97,000 from MFT Funds

Alderman Johnson presented to the Council for the review and approval the 2018 MFT General Maintenance Program, Appropriating $97,000 from MFT Funds. A motion was made by Johnson to approval the 2018 MFT General Maintenance Program and Appropriating $97,000 from MFT Funds, seconded by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

C. Health & Safety – Williams

Uniforms:

Alderman Williams presented uniform costs to the Council for their review and approval. A motion was made by Williams to approve the cost not to exceed $4600 for new police uniforms; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

Squad Car:

Alderman Williams informed the Council that the new squad car should arrive by Friday of this week.

Office Needs:

Alderman Williams informed the Council that he is working with Chief Campbell to clean up the police offices with new décor, paint, possible ceiling tiles, and some office furniture.

PT Police Rate of Pay:

Alderman Williams presented information to the Council for discussion and approval of police part time rate of pay. After a lengthy discussion of the amount of pay, a motion was made by Williams to approve $15 per hour for part time officer with PTI; second by Garrett. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Olivia Grider, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

D. Health & Housing – Sheppard

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council that all property that was sent letters have either abated or in the process of fixing the problems.

E. Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle – No Report.

F. Sidewalks -- Garrett

Alderman Garrett informed the Council that one of the trees has been cut down.

G. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz – No Report

VIII. Other Business

IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment was made by Basiewicz at 9:56 p.m.; second by Hemmerle. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Evan Carter, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, Samantha Wheeler, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: None (8-0-0-0)

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