Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met June 3.

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, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard.

Absent: None

Department Heads: Chief Dave Campbell, Superintendent Mike McCarthy, Attorney Rusty Reed, and City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

Department Heads Absent: None

I. Mayor’s Comments

II. Visitors/Public Comments

Mayor Berola informed the visitors that were in attendance for the chicken presentation that it would be taking place under Health and Housing later in the meeting.

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. May 20, 2019 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on May 20, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to approve the minutes for May 20, 2019 minutes, second by Sheppard. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

IV. Treasurer’s Report –

A. Bills List May 21, 2019 to June 3, 2019

Treasurer Chris Warwick presented the Bills List from May 21, 2019 to June 3, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the Bills List from May 21, 2019 to June 3, 2019, second by Johnson. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0) Alderman Ben Royer asked about the monies that were supposed to be transferred to Carrollton Bank. Treasurer Warwick informed Royer that that had happened a few months back. Alderman Garrett informed the Council that with the transfer of the monies to Carrollton Bank, the money has earned 3 x’s the interest in 2 months that it would have earned at UCB.

V. Attorney’s Report – Reed

Attorney Rusty Reed once again informed the Council that the easements need to be completed by June 30, 2019. Alderman Powell will work with the remaining easements. Attorney Reed informed the Council that an executive session regarding Litigation will take place at the end of the regular Council meeting.

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

Chief Dave Campbell -- No Report.

B. Superintendent -- Mike McCarthy

Superintendent Mike McCarthy and Alderman Bill Karhliker presented to the Council for their review and approval the 2019 MFT General Maintenance Program for $92,735. A motion was made by Royer to approve The 2019 MFT General Maintenance Program is in the amount $93,000; second by Hemmerle. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler – No Report

Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Alderman Johnson -- No report.

B. Public Works – Karhliker

Alderman Karhliker and Alderman Jason Garrett presented information to the Council regarding stump grinding bid on 8th Street in the amount of $850 for their review and approval. A motion was made by Garrett to approve the stump grinding bid not to exceed $850 to Dave Lloyd; second by Royer. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

C. Public Utilities – Alderman Johnson

Alderman Johnson discussed the Bulk Water request made by Tim Seifert. After checking into the usage of the bulk water machine and other items pertaining to this request, Alderman Johnson indicated that Mr. Seifert would be able to use the Bulk Water system that is in place. Johnson will personally contact Mr. Seifert to inform him of the decision.

D. Health & Safety – Alderman Sheppard

Squad Car Maintenance

Alderman Sheppard and Chief Campbell informed the Council that a few of the police squad cars are just limping along. They are trying to repair them to last. Alderman Royer asked Campbell if they had a listing of all of the cars in the fleet with the services listed on each one. Campbell indicated that they had a listing of each vehicle in the fleet. Royer felt that this was a good thing to have to be able to track the maintenance on each vehicle.

FT and PT Police Applications

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council that the interviews for full-time and part-time police officers would be taking place on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Recommendations should be ready for the June 17th Council Meeting.

E. Health & Housing – Sheppard

Utility disconnection – water and gas

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council members that a property in Auburn is and has been for a while without water and gas. Attorney Reed indicated that he could send a letter to them stating that this property is uninhabitable without water. Alderman Sheppard indicated that she will keep the Council up-to-date.

Review of city ordinance pertaining to keeping of livestock regulations – chickens

Jessica Lance, Frank Muro, Charles Hurley and a few other citizens were in attendance to talk with the Council about changing the ordinance to allow chickens within the city limits of Auburn. Information was presented regarding the outcome of a facebook survey that was taken regarding allowing chickens (77% favorable and 22% against). Citizens also addressed issues that they have researched such as public health, property value, and other area towns that allow chickens. After a lengthy discussion regarding allowing of chickens, a motion was made by Royer to change the city ordinance to allow chickens within the city limits of Auburn; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Ben Royer. NAY: Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (3-5-0-0)

F. Parks – Hemmerle

Committee Meeting – May 29, 2019

Visitor Ashley Foster asked the Council for approve to host a 3 on 3 tournament at Union Park during Labor Day. Permission was granted for the use of Union Park.

Camera Update

Alderman Hemmerle presented information to the Council for their review and approval for the cameras for the parks. A motion was made by Hemmerle to accept the bid of $8958.69 by Royell Communications for cameras in the parks; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Jason Garrett. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Rod Johnson (6-1-0-0) ABSTENTION: Royer

Trojan Field

Alderman Hemmerle acknowledged that Connor Gillock did a nice job with the flags and encouraged Council members to take the time to visit.

Leonard Field

Alderman Hemmerle informed the Council that no movement on the fence being fixed. Scoreboard won’t get done until the fence is complete.

Surplus Park Funds

Surplus funds in the parks account were being looked at to be placed in a CD but in light of a few project they are going to hold off until some future projects are complete. This matter will be review again in a few months.

Speakers

Alderman Hemmerle reported that no movement on speakers for square until other projects are complete. Alderman Garrett has volunteered to do some leg work on speakers for the square. Alderman Hemmerle indicated that he wanted to see how much it is going to cost to repair and clean up the cook shack at the East Park. Apparently there are speakers already on the bandstand and Alderman Royer has checked with SunDown about getting them operational. Additional information will be presented.

Movies in the Park

No update.

Cook Shack

Alderman Hemmerle indicated that they will need to be looked at to see what it will cost to repair and cleanup the cook shack at the East Park.

Merritt Field

Alderman Hemmerle informed the Council that the outfield fence to Merritt Field was damaged over the weekend and will need to be repaired.

Alderman Garrett expressed his concern about moving forward with projects to help with the City. Alderman Basiewicz indicated that they have to prioritize the projects with the intent of completing all of them.

G. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz reported that the next EDC meeting will be held on June 20, 2019

VII. Other Business

Mayor Berola acknowledged that this would be the last meeting for Auburn Citizen reporter Daniel Winningham.

Alderman Royer indicated that a communication might be necessary to the community regarding Red Bud Park. Alderman Hemmerle indicated that the message has been communicated various times.

X. Adjournment

Motion to adjoin from public meeting to executive session at 8:21 p.m. was made by Johnson and second by Basiewicz. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

Motion to adjournment out of executive session at 8:42 p.m. was made by Royer and second by Garrett. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

Motion to come back into regular meeting at 8:43 p.m. from executive session was made by Garrett and second by Sheppard. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

Motion to adjournment at 8:44 p.m. was made by Garrett and second by Royer. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

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