Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met Oct. 1.

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, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard.

Absent: None

Department Heads: Attorney Raylene Grischow, Chief Dave Campbell, Superintendent Mike

McCarthy, TJ Henson and City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler.

I. Mayor’s Comments

A. Local Scout Troop led the Pledge of Alliance and was in attendance for the meeting to earn a Scout badge.

B. Appointment of a Chairman to Health and Safety Committee

Mayor Berola recommended to the Council that Alderman Vince Nadalini be appointed Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee. A motion was made by Devos to appoint Alderman Vince Nadalini as Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee; second by Powell. Voice Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Jason Garrett. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (7-1-0-1)

II. Visitors/Public Comments

A. uburn Activities Committee

Ashley Foster and Dawna Edie provided information to the Council on the Holiday Walk that is scheduled for Saturday, December 1st. Foster and Edie asked that the roads around the square be closed for the event from 5-8 p.m. that evening. Mayor Berola and Chief Campbell indicated that that would be fine.

B. Mike Canny – Canny Accounting – 2018 Draft Audit

Mike Canny from Canny Accounting was present to present the highlighted areas of the 2018 City of Auburn Financial Audit to the Council.

C. Visitors

Mr. Tim Seifert, Auburn farmer, asked to speak to the Council and informed them that he wasn’t real happy with the way that the news of the 40 acres of farm land going out for bid was presented. He felt that the City of Auburn Mayor and Council owed it to him to ask least give him a courtesy phone call to let him know that the farm land that he farms was being sent out for bid. He indicated to the Council that he may or may not bid for the farm but felt he needed to share his thoughts on the process. The Council thanked him for his thoughts.

Former Mayor Barb Stamer then shared her thoughts on the farm bid process and what a good job she felt Tim Seifert did. The Council thanked her for her thoughts.

C. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. September 17 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Julie Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on September 17, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to approve the September 17, 2018 minutes, second by Basiewicz. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None.

ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

IV. Treasurer’s Report – Warwick

A. Bills List September 18, 2018 to October 1, 2018

Warwick presented the Bills List September 18, 2018 to October 1, 2018 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to approve the Bills List from September 18, 2018 to October 1, 2018, second by Nadalini. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

B. August 2018 Cash Report

Warwick presented the August 2018 Cash Report for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to approve the August 2018 Cash Report, second by Johnson. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

Alderman Garrett asked the question of why we are keeping a $25,000 CD and it is only accruing $1.00 or $1.50 of interest per month. Alderman then asked why we are keeping so much money is saving instead of paying off debt and accruing all the interests with loans. Alderman Powell indicated that we need to have reserves for emergencies. Powell informed the Council that the monies cannot be cross spent within the budget. Alderman Garrett is advocating to pay off the City of Auburn’s debt instead of leaving monies it sitting in savings and having the citizens pay interest with their tax monies.

V. Attorney’s Report –

A. Second Reading, Ordinance 1458-18, Amendments to Chapter 24, Utilities. Attorney Grischow presented Ordinance 1458-18, Amendments to Chapter 24, and Utilities to the Council for their review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve Ordinance 1458-18, Amendments to Chapter 24, Utilities; second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

B. Executive Session – Labor Negotiations and Personnel

Attorney Grischow requested an executive session at the end of the regular council meeting regarding Labor Negotiations.

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

1) Winter shirts for officers-- Chief Campbell presented information for purchasing

winter shirts for the officers to the Council for the review and approval. A motion was made by Basiewicz to purchase winter shirts (quantity 35, $60 per shirt) with the amount not to exceed $2200, second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, and Joe Powell. NAY: Jason Garrett. PRESENT: Tracey Sheppard. ABSENT: None (6-1-0-1)

2) Update on radios

Radios will not be purchased until an update is provided to the Council regarding the Police Department equipment budget line.

B. Mike McCarthy

1) October 2, 2018 – Solar Panel Meeting (Auburn Community Center)

TJ reminded the Council that the Keystone Solar Panel Company will make a presentation on October 2, 2018, 6:30 p.m. at the Auburn Community Center) 2 proposals will be presented, the sewer plant and the other one for the 40 acres (Red Bud Park).

2) Lighting Audit for City facilities and streetlights

Superintendent McCarthy informed the Council that Ameren is working with a group that has audited the city owned lighting facilities and streetlights in Auburn. TJ Henson provided savings cost to the Council. The cost to the City of Auburn is $12,922. Alderman Johnson asked that we get some figures from Office Manager Kristy Ponsler as to where this money upfront would come from and then we vote on it at the next meeting.

3) UGM special meeting – October 11, 2018 in Effingham

Superintendent McCarthy informed the Council that he and TJ will be attending the UGM special meeting on October 11, 2018 in Effingham. Utility Gas Management special meeting is to discuss a long-term discount program available to municipally owned gas system clients of UGM. Discussion will be the requirements to join the long-term discount program and the tremendous benefits it provides your gas system and its customers.

C. Ponsler

1) Health Insurance Renewal

Safe Routes to School – Walkability/Bikeability Study

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler shared information on the Safe Routes to School Grant – Walkability/Bikeability Study.

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Committee Meeting – September 26, 2018

Alderman Johnson shared information about the September 26th Administration Committee meeting. Johnson indicated that Mr. Thomas Mitchell, Troxell Insurance, was in attendance to share information and answer any questions those arose.

Thomas provided copies of new Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS) PPO insurance plans for those employees currently and soon to be represented by the IUOE Local 965 (garage employees and clerical staff respectively). The new plans are attached. The first page provides a comparison of the current insurance plan, S527BCE - Premium Saver (which will no longer be available after 12/31/18), to the new comparable plan - S532BCE - Premium Saver. The annual premium will increase from $91,815.36 to $99,882.72 which amounts to a 9% increase. This equates to an increase from $546.52/mo./employee to $594.54/mo./employee. Johnson asked if Standard Life, the insurance company who administers the current supplemental insurance, will be the same company to administer the new premium saver supplemental insurance. Thomas answered yes, Standard Life is the insurance company who will administer the supplemental insurance (Premium Saver) for the new plan (S532BCE - Premium Saver).

Thomas indicated that BCBS will allow up to 6 plan choices for a group of employees as small as the City of Auburn. Although 6 plans are allowed, he indicated that 2 - 3 plans would be more realistic which could be the case for the 3 individual groups considered (police, garage and office). Thomas also stated that the Premium Saver option could be added to any plan included in the attached handout.

Johnson indicated that the that the choice for insurance is completely up to the employees and that they should get a consensus from their respective group(s) on which insurance plan they would prefer. Rod then indicated once they have made their insurance selection, the council would then begin discussing wages to complete the union contract negotiations.

B. Public Works/Public Utilities – Johnson/Hemmerle

Alderman Johnson – No Report

C. Health & Safety –

No Report

D. Health & Housing – Sheppard

a) 412 N. 1st Street (Jencore, LLC)

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council that Jencore, LLC has not complied with the stipulations that were lay out for the property at 412 N. 1st Street to become compliant. A motion was made by Sheppard to table any further action until Attorney Grischow has had time to research and clarify the legal way of handling this situation, second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

b) 12 Isabelle (McCarty)

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council that the 12 Isabelle property has become compliant.

E. Parks – Hemmerle

No Report.

F. Sidewalks -- Garrett

Alderman Garrett indicated that he is waiting for the results of the Safe Route Grant before working on his sidewalk plans.

G. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz informed the Council that Former Mayor Barb Stamer has turned in her resignation as a member of the Economic Development Committee.

VIII. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment from public meeting to executive session at 8:44 p.m. by Sheppard and seconded by Johnson. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

Motion to adjournment out of executive session was made at 10:02 p.m. by Sheppard and seconded by Basiewicz. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

Motion to come back in regular meeting from executive session was made at 10:02 p.m. by Sheppard and seconded by Basiewicz. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

Other Business

Treasurer Chris Warwick asked if any Council members would be willing to walk in the Homecoming parade on Friday, October 12, 2018. A few of the Council members indicated that they would be willing to participate.

Alderman Garrett expressed his disappointment concerning the appointment of Alderman Nadalini as the Chairman of the Health & Safety Committee. He stated that he (Nadalini) had only recently been appointed to the council and had attended very few meetings before being selected to chair the committee. Alderman Garrett stated that Alderman Sheppard or Basiewicz should have been selected as chair, as they have been on the committee since their election. Alderman Garrett went on to say that he was going to continue to vote "no" on police department issues items until there were committee meetings to discuss those items.

Motion to adjournment at 10:03 p.m. was made by Sheppard and seconded by Basiewicz. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Vic Devos Jr, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Vince Nadalini, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

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