Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met Sept. 4.

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, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard.

Absent: Larry Hemmerle

Department Heads: Attorney Raylene Grischow, Chief Dave Campbell, Superintendent Mike McCarthy, TJ Henson and City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler.

I. Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Berola informed the Council that IDOT provided information to him that in the Spring of 2019 Route 4 to the railroad tracks on Divernon Road will be closed for repair. This repair could take up to 3 weeks.

Mayor Berola also shared with the Council information that Superintendent Root contacted him to inform him that the Sangamon County schools are placing a 1% sales tax for schools on the ballet. A resolution will need to be passed by the City Council in support of the 1% county sales tax for schools. This sales tax increase will stay with the schools and students.

II. Visitors/Public Comments

No Visitors.

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. August 20 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Julie Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on August 20, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Devos to approve the August 20, 2018 minutes, second by Nadalini. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemerle (7-0-0-1)

B. Information Regarding April 2, 2019 Consolidated Election

Clerk Barnhill presented information to the current Council about positions that are coming up for re-election. Those positions included: Ward 1 Alderman position currently held by Joe Powell; Ward 2 Alderman position currently held by Vince Nadalini; Ward 3 Alderman position currently held by Larry Hemmerle and Ward 4 Alderman position currently held by Vic Devos Jr. Barnhill shared that she has hard copies available of information of important dates relating to the election process that is also shared in drop box.

IV. Treasurer’s Report – Warwick

A. Bills List August 21, 2018 to September 3, 2018

Warwick presented the Bills List August 21, 2018 to September 3, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the Bills List from August 21, 2018 to September 3, 2018, second by Nadalini. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

V. Attorney’s Report –

A. New Wave Extension of Service

Attorney Grischow presented information to the Council that New Wave will not be able to extend services to Timberbrooke and Willowmore Estates because it is too expensive. It would take 20 homes per mile to be feasible and as of today there is not enough homes to qualify.

B. 310 N. Madison

Attorney Grischow informed the Council that she had spoken to the Attorney of the wife of the 310 N. Madison property owner and they have no plans to mow or take care of the property. After a bit of discussion, the Council suggested that the City garage guys chop and spray weeds for now.

C. 412 N. First Street – has until September 7, 2018 to come into compliance before fines once again become assessed on the property. Plywood has been applied to the garage but no additional work on the areas requested have been made.

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

1) Sergeant Sheppard Resignation

Chief Campbell presented the resignation of Sergeant Josh Sheppard for the Councils review and approval. Sergeant Josh Sheppard will be leaving the City of Auburn Police Department to become a Secretary of State/Capitol Police Officer on September 16, 2018. A motion was made by Basiewicz to regretfully accept the resignation of Sergeant Josh Sheppard within the City of Auburn Police Department effective September 16, 2018, second by Sheppard. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

2) Personnel – Movement of new PT hires to FT and start date(s) (Katlin Edwards, Nick Todd and Mike Marquis)

Chief Campbell presented information to the Council regarding the movement of new part time hires to full time status for the Councils review and approval.

A motion was made by Basiewicz that part time Police Officer Katlin Edwards be moved to full time status within the Auburn Police Department, will be compliant of the 30-minute residency requirement within 6 months and September 5, 2018 will be his official start date; second by Johnson. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

Chief Campbell presented information to the Council regarding the movement of new part time hires to full time status for the Councils review and approval.

A motion was made by Nadalini that part time Police Officer Mike Marquis be moved to full time status within the Auburn Police Department, has no residency issue and October 1, 2018 will be his official start date; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

Nick Todd has not completed PT training yet but had been previously hired as a FT officer once he has completed PT at the August 6, 2018 council meeting.

B. Mike McCarthy

1) Decals on Vehicle

Superintendent McCarthy indicated that the new truck has arrived and would like to put the new decal on the city truck

2) Bulk Water

Superintendent McCarthy informed the Council that the bulk water machine now takes currency. McCarthy asked Daniel, Auburn Citizen reporter, to make sure that he puts that in paper so residents are aware.

3) Sink Hole

Superintendent McCarthy informed the Council that there was a sink hole at 7th and Jackson and it has been fixed.

4) Summer Help

Superintendent McCarthy informed the Council that he would like to extend one of his summer help staff members. A motion was made by Basiewicz to continue Brent Huff as part time help in the City Garage, not to exceed 1000 hours, until September 28, second by Johnson. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

5) Keystone Solar Proposal

TJ Henson presented information to the Council on solar development to help realize savings. Lots of questions came up from this discussion so the Council recommended to Henson that he ask a representative to come and speak to the Council and the community. A public question and answer meeting will be set up for information to be presented to the Council and the community at a future date.

C. Ponsler 1)

Ceiling tiles for community center and painting grid and installing ceiling tiles

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler presented information to the council the Craig Ladage bid of $2960 to complete the painting of the grids and installing of the ceiling tiles at the Auburn Community Center for the Council’s review and approval. The $2960 would bring the project total amount to $12,009.04 that has been spent on the Community Center updates. A motion was made by Powell to accept Craig Ladage bid of $2960 to complete the painting of the grids and installing of the ceiling tiles at the Auburn Community Center; second by Garrett. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

Roof of the Police Station

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler shared information regarding the police station roof and that the Council will need to consider repairing the roof or replacing the roof in the future. Discussion continued about having someone come look at it when it rains so they might be able to figure out where the leak is coming from.

Safe Routes to School

Office Manager Ponsler updated the Council on completing all the necessary steps for the Safe Route to School Grant. Surveys were being sent home from the school with the students for completion. Ponsler will be walking the school routes with representatives from Benton and Associates on September 12 at 7:30 a.m.

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Alderman Johnson – No Report

B. Public Works/Public Utilities – Johnson/Hemmerle a) Water Main Project

Alderman Johnson updated the Council on Water Main Project. Johnson indicated that Jamie from Benton’s supplied a map of the properties that will be affected to the Committee. Jamie indicated that utility easements will be needed on some properties. He also indicated the everything is on course and that it should be able to go out to bid in November. A public meeting could happen as early as September Alderman Johnson is thinking.

b) Health & Safety –

c) Health & Housing – Sheppard

310 W. Madison Street

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council that this matter was already covered under the Attorney’s report.

12 Isabelle Drive

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council that she would like the Council to declare the property at 12 Isabelle Drive a public nuisance and a letter be sent to the property owner by Attorney Grischow. The letter will state that they have until September 28 to come into compliance or they will be fined a $50 per day fee. A motion was made by Sheppard to declare 12 Isabelle Drive a public nuisance and a letter be sent to the property owner from Attorney Grischow. The letter will state that they have until September 28 to come into compliance or they will be fined a $50 per day fee; second by Devos. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

d) Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle – No Report.

e) Sidewalks -- Garrett Alderman Garrett – No Report

f) Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz Alderman Basiewicz – No Report

VIII. Other Business

Alderman Garrett made mention that he would like to see a subcommittee named Commerce and Economic Development be part of the Council.

IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment from public meeting to executive session at 8:21 p.m. by Johnson and seconded by Powell. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

Motion to adjournment out of executive session was made at 9:21 p.m. by Johnson and seconded by Sheppard. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

Motion to come back in regular meeting from executive session was made at 9:22 p.m. by Garrett and seconded by Sheppard. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

Motion to adjournment at 9:23 p.m. was made by Garrett and seconded by Sheppard. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

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