Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met June 18.

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, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard and Seth Williams.

Junior Alderman: Carter Evans

Absent: Rod Johnson, Superintendent Mike McCarthy and Junior Aldermen: Olivia Grider and Samantha Wheeler

Department Heads: Chief Dave Campbell and TJ Henson and City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler.

I. Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Berola informed the Council that he has received a resignation letter from Alderman Seth Williams. Alderman Williams has an opportunity at his full time employment that requires his time to be spent there. Mayor Berola asked Clerk Barnhill to place the resignation of Ward 2 Alderman Seth Williams on the July 2, 2018 Council meeting agenda. 

II. Visitors/Public Comments

A. Zoning Board Meeting – June 13, 2018

1) Reduction in setback request – 921 W. Monroe (Millsap). Mr. Dave Miller, member of the Zoning Board, was present at the meeting to present the information regarding the reduction in setback request for 921 W. Monroe by Mr. Millsap. Mr. Miller presented the approval from the Zoning Board to the Council for their review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to approve the reduction in setback at 921 W. Monroe; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Johnson (7-0-0-1) 

2) Rhonda Shelton – 208 N. Violet

Mr. Miller then presented the information to the Council regarding the homes that are on Violet Drive and back up to Seales. Seales, not for sure when this happened, became a road in the City of Auburn. Unfortunately, Seales is not wide enough for a road and needs to go back to being an alley. Ms. Shelton is requesting that she be able to replace her shed that has been taken down and was filled with critters. She was told that she had to go get a building permit. The building inspector came out and denied her request due to the fact that the setback would have to be 25’ from Seales. After checking the sheds and other structures on Violet, which they are varied on location, it is the Zoning Boards recommendation to allow the setback to be from 25’ to 7 1/2”. Alderman Garrett shared his view on the process here. He feels that an ordinance is required to change Seales to an alley from a road prior to making this decision. After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Basiewicz to change required setback for properties on Violet Drive backing up to Seales to allow the setback from 25 feet to 7 ½ feet and accept the zoning board’s recommendation to allow Rhonda Shelton at 208 N. Violet to use 7 ½” set back from Seales; second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Joe Powell, and Seth Williams. Nay: Vic Devos Jr and Jason Garrett. Present: Larry Hemmerle and Tracy Sheppard. Absent: Rod Johnson (3-2-2-1) 

3) Brandy Brown – Auburn Carnival

Brandy Brown provided information to the Council that the Auburn Carnival 2018 was a success and was wondering if there were any issues that she wasn’t aware of. Mrs. Brown informed the Council that the Auburn Carnival for 2019 will be held on May 9, 10, and 11, 2019. She will be back to the Council when times gets closer to the event. 

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. June 18 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Julie Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on June 18, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Devos, Jr. to approve the June 18, 2018 minutes, second by Williams. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson (7-0-0-1)

IV. Treasurer’s Report – Warwick

A. May 2018 Cash Report

Warwick presented the May 2018 Cash Report for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the May 2018 Cash Report; second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson (7-0-0-1).

B. Bills List June 5, 2018 to June 18, 2018

Warwick presented the Bills List from June 5, 2018 to June 18, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to approve the Bills List from June 5, 2018 to June 18, 2018, second by Sheppard. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson (7-0-0-1)

V. Attorney’s Report –

A. Second Reading, Resolution 72-17 – Quit Claim Deed for 338 W. Jefferson (Library) Attorney Grischow informed the Council that the Library’s attorney has not returned her phone call or emails regarding the Quit Claim Deed for 338 W. Jefferson (Library) so she recommends that we hold off on taking any action on this item

B. Second Reading – Ordinance 1454-18, Franchise Fee Payments

Attorney Grischow presented the Franchise Fee Payment Ordinance 1454-18 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Williams to approve Ordinance 1454-18 Franchise Fee Payment; second by Sheppard. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson (7-0-0-1) 

C. Second Reading, Ordinance 1455-18, Appropriations Ordinance

Attorney Grischow presented Ordinance 1455-18, Appropriations Ordinance for a second reading for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Basiewicz to approve Ordinance 1455-18, Appropriations Ordinance; second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson (7-0-0-1). 

Attorney Grischow checked with City Manager Ponsler that the Appropriations Ordinance was placed in the paper. It was not and it will be in the following week’s paper. A motion to resend Appropriations Ordinance Operation 1455-18 by Basiewicz and seconded by Williams. An appropriations ordinance hearing will take place prior to the start of the July 2, 2018 Council meeting. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson (7-0-0-1).

D. First Reading, Ordinance 1456-18, Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Ordinance 

Attorney Grischow has not yet had an opportunity to draft this ordinance so there was no further discussion.

E. Executive Session – Labor Negotiations

Attorney Grischow felt that an executive session wasn’t necessary.

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

1) Chief Campbell presented information to the Council for the Intergovernmental User Agreement with Illinois State Police for their review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to accept the Intergovernmental User Agreement with the Illinois State Police; second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson (7-0-0-1). 

2) Chief Campbell informed the Council that the new uniforms have arrived and are waiting to get all of the patches on them. He brought them out for the Council to see. 

B. Mike McCarthy

1) GUA Meter Fee Increase

TJ Henson presented information to the Council in regards to increasing the GUA Meter Fee. He is recommending that the Council looks into potentially passing this increase onto residents and reflect it on utility bills. A committee meeting will be scheduled to discuss this further.

C. Ponsler

1) Proposal to fix west side windows in community center

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler presented information to the Council that the west side windows in the community center are in desperate need of being repairs or replaced. Ponsler will check into getting prices for repairing and/or replacing and report back.

2) Office Computers – no discussion at this time as various items for discussion had not yet been received.

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

No Report

B. Public Works/Public Utilities – Johnson/Hemmerle

 1) Acceptance of Proposal/Approval of Award to IRC, Inc. in the amount of $48,348.

Alderman Hemmerle presented to the Council for the review and approval the Acceptance of Proposal/Approval of Award to IRC, Inc. for seal and coat in the amount of $48,348. A motion was made by Hemmerle to approve the IRC, Inc. for seal and coat bid in the amount of $48,348; second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson. (7-0-0-1)

2) Acceptance of Request for Quotation from Central Stone Co. in the amount of $10,750

Alderman Hemmerle presented to the Council for their review and approval the Acceptance of Request for Quotation from Central Stone Co. in the amount of $10,750. A motion was made by Hemmerle to approve the Central Stone Co bid in the amount of $10,750, second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr., Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson. (7-0-0-1)

C. Health & Safety – Williams

Alderman Williams presented to the Council that the marking of the police car will need to be completed at the price of 5 cars at $300 per car. Williams asked that this be placed on the July 2, 2018 meeting agenda so it can be acted upon.

D. Health & Housing – Sheppard

412 N. 1st Street – Landers

Mr. Landers has been contacted regarding cleaning up of his property. When Alderman Sheppard went by early today, she said that they are starting to clean it up.

401 W. North Street (Miller)

Apparently the property at 401 W. North Street is in foreclosure and is headed to the Sheriff Sale on July 3, 2018.

E. Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle informed the Council that they had some problems with the fuse box at Trojan Field this past weekend while hosting the Father’s Day Tournament. Lewis Electric is looking into what the problem could be. Alderman Hemmerle will report back to the Council. 

F. Sidewalks -- Garrett

Alderman Garrett informed the Council that all of the tress are down. He is working on the sidewalk plan.

G. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz – No Report

VIII. Other Business

Mayor Berola thanked the Junior Alderman for the work that they have completed. He encouraged them to apply again in the fall, as that time is longer than the summer session of Junior Alderman. 

IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment was made by Garrett at 8:29 p.m.; second by Williams. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Joe Powell, Tracy Sheppard, and Seth Williams. Nay: None. Present: None. Absent: Rod Johnson (7-0-0-1) 

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