Sangamon Sun

City of Leland Grove City Council met April 23.

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER by the honorable Mayor Egizii at 6pm sharp. The PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by those present and THE ROLL CALL was taken by Clerk Klokkenga with those present or absent as indicated:

Jill Egizii, Mayor (P)

Brian Miller, Treasurer(P)

Steve Klokkenga, Clerk(P)

Saul Morse, Legal Counsel(P)

Diana Hetherington, Alderman Ward 1(P)

Patricia Wilson, Alderman Ward 1(P)

James Moll, Alderman Ward 2(P)

Nick Williams, Alderman Ward 2 (A)

Donald LoBue, Alderman Ward 3(P)

Mary Jo Bangert, Alderman Ward 3(P)

Also present were:

Police Chief Dan Ryan

City Administrator Tyler Lanier

Kevin Kuhn, City Engineer

APPROVAL - A motion was made to approve the March 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion was made by Alderman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Bangert. The motion carried unanimously.

TREASURER'S REPORT - Treasurer Miller provided the City's financial statement to the Council. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Hetherington to approve Unpaid Warrants from the MFT fund (P-04-501) in the amount of $943.26. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderman Hetherington and seconded by Alderman Bangert to approve the Paid warrants from the General Fund (04-502) in the amount of $34,119.10. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Hetherington to approve the Unpaid warrants in Fund P-04-500 in the amount of $19,702.04. The motion carried unanimously.

City Administrator's Report

Ameren asked about another location for a street light on City right of way by Laurel and Outer Park Drive (East side). Alderman Moll will abstain from any vote since Hansen Engineers is involved and commented that a crosswalk exists at this location and it could actually use a street light. Ameren offered to pay for the light and the electricity for it. They will also need to put the ground back the way they found it after they dig. Council will consider and this matter will be placed on the May 2019 Meeting Agenda.

Administer Lanier is working on finishing the bridge rail.

Legal Update and Actions.

No actionable items.

Attorney Morse did comment on the Woodside Township Road Tax and mentioned that he discussed this matter with officials from the County Treasurer’s office. They were able to get some new information by the meeting which prompted more questions. There is a road tax and a road & bridge tax. Attorney Morse wanted some explanation on the differences.

Alderman Moll had a meeting with the Township road director about the agreement. In the meeting, they talked about using their equipment more often. They agreed to cancel the salt bill from last year. They further agreed to provide us salt and equipment (up to a limit) every year. Alderman Moll will work on drafting an agreement.

Alderman Moll further discussed the amount of money Leland Grove distributes.

Finance and Revenue - The Finance Committee met and prepared budget documents to go over with new aldermen.

Health Sanitation - Nothing new to report.

Public Safety - Ordinance Court was held April 8th. At the meeting, four individuals who were cited in the last month did not show up and were found guilty by default. Seventeen fines (no pays) have been sent to CCB for collection.

Seth Foster will be leaving the Leland Grove Police Department to go work for Capital Police. The City is seeking to fill the position.

Human Resources - Alderman LoBue met with the City's Insurance Agent and went over current financials. Alderman LoBue will make a recommendation at the next council meeting and requested in be placed on the Agenda.

Public Ways and Property- Alderman Moll reported that the Wildwood Road culvert needs to be replaced. The City does not need to go through the County for work. The City is working on starting the project in August.

Alderman Moll also recently spoke with Springfield Mayor Langfelder about a possible plan regarding the Chatham Overlay and plans to discuss it at the next meeting. Alderman Moll asked the Clerk to place it on next month's meeting agenda. Alderman LoBue offered using reserves to help pay the City of Springfield for some of the work.

Alderman Moll also mentioned that work on Illini Road might also be included in that agreement.

Building Permits and Zoning - Alderman Bangert -Nothing new.

OLD BUSINESS - Alderman Hetherington presented a proposed budget to the Council. The City is looking at a possible deficit. Upon further review, Council provided suggestions to eliminate the deficit.

Alderman Moll would like for the Council to develop a method of being able to take unused money from a fund, to be accumulated for future use, specifically for purpose of that fund.

In addition, Alderman Moll suggested setting up a separate fund for just capital improvements.

The proposal -

      Administrator Lanier will look at changing payments on vehicles

      Pulling out two road items - sidewalk and Chatham Road projects

      Make $51,110.00 in reductions on the loan.

      Reducing Chatham Road project from 50,000 to $0

      Reduce sidewalks down to $0. Saving 20K

      Alderman Moll recommends we put the final proposal in writing before voting. Council urged the Clerk to be certain we have the Budget on the next meeting Agenda as it must be voted on by the deadline.

Exempt Properties- Alderman LoBue discussed how Leland Grove has some open and exempt properties at its disposal that it may be able to sell. The Barberry to Greenbriar parcel is one the Council may want to consider selling to raise some additional revenue. Alderman LoBue also explained how the City acquired some of the properties as a gift from the Dorothy Sager Estate.

At this time, the new Council was sworn in to office in the following order:

      Nancy Weichert, Ward 1 Alderman

      Stephen Klokkenga, Ward 1 Alderman

      Sally Ann Tamizuddin, Ward 3 Alderman

      Diana Hetherington, City Clerk

      Brian Miller, City Treasurer

      Mary Jo Bangert, Mayor

      In addition, Mr. Joshua Sharp will be sworn in as Ward 2 Alderman at the May, 2019 meeting.

      Alderman LoBue and Alderman Moll remain on the Council in their same positions.

Once the new Council was sworn in, a motion was made by Alderman Weichert and seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to adjourn the meeting. Hearing no objections, the meeting was adjourned.

A Reception took place at the Resource Center for the new Council following the meeting, including presenting gifts to Outgoing Mayor Jill Egizii and Alderman Wilson for their service to the City.

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