Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met July 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, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker (late arrival at 7:15 p.m.), 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

Andy Goleman – Sangamon County Auditor

Sangamon County Auditor Andy Goleman visited the City of Auburn Council meeting on July 1, 2019 to provide some basic information about his role as Sangamon County Auditor and his office. Goleman is the internal financial auditor of the county. His office is a small office and has only 3 staff members.

Miranda Galloway

Miranda Galloway and her son, Jordan Hampton, approached the Council to discuss the towing of his vehicle from the park. Chief Campbell informed Mr. Hampton and Mrs. Galloway that the vehicle was abandoned and the vehicle sticker had been expired for seven months. Hampton informed the Council that he did the responsible thing of getting a ride home because he had been drinking. Galloway wanted to know if there was an ordinance of towing a vehicle. Mayor Berola informed them there is an ordinance and the City was correct in towing an abandoned vehicle, without current registration, that was on public property.

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. June 17, 2019 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on June 17, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the minutes for June 17, 2019 minutes, second by Royer. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Bill Karhliker (7-0-0-1)

IV. Treasurer’s Report –

A. Bills List June 18, 2019 to July 1, 2019

Treasurer Chris Warwick presented the Bills List from June 18, 2019 to July 1, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve the Bills List from June 18, 2019 to July 1, 2019, second by Sheppard. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Bill Karhliker (7-0-0-1)

V. Attorney’s Report – Reed

A. Second Reading Ordinance 1465-19, Appropriations Ordinance

Attorney Rusty Reed presented the Second Reading Ordinance 1468-19, Appropriations Ordinance to the Council for the review and approve. A public meeting for Appropriations Ordinance Hearing was held prior to the Council Meeting Monday, July 1, 2019 at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers. A motion was made by Hemmerle to approve Ordinance 1465-19, Appropriations Ordinance; second by Johnson. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Bill Karhliker (7-0-0-1)

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

Chief Dave Campbell – Alderman Sheppard will cover items under Health & Safety.

B. Superintendent -- Mike McCarthy

Superintendent Mike McCarthy informed the Council that that traffic lights at corner of Routes 104 and 4 are functioning. If you are driving north from Virden/Thayer on Route 4 speed will be reduced to 45 mph and if you are driving east from Waverly on Route 104 speed will be reduced to 40 mph.

C. City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

Electronic Recycling Event

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler provided information regarding the possibility of hosting another electronic recycling day on Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on the square of Auburn. Ponsler indicated that BLH Computers, Inc. can provide a truck for a $100 fee and the City could pay $600 additional fee for the citizens to be able to drop items off free of charge. The other option would be for the citizens to pay a minimal fee and receive a voucher from BLH Computers, Inc. for a future purchase. Alderman Sheppard indicated that she feels they should offer the voucher program and the City of Auburn would only be responsible for the $200 truck fee. A motion was made by Basiewicz to approve electronic recycling day with the voucher program on Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on the square and the fees not to exceed $200; second Powell. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Bill Karhliker, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

VII. Alarm System

Ponsler provided information to the Council about the inquiries of having an alarm system installed in the City office. Ponsler informed the Council that with dispatch being gone and officers not in the office during the day, Ponsler feels that someone can be notified if an emergency arises. A motion was made by Royer to approve for Office Manager to choose an alarm monitoring provider not to exceed $1300 one time cost and no more than $45 per month maintenance fee; second by Sheppard. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Bill Karhliker, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Alderman Johnson informed the Council that the Administration Committee Meeting for Wednesday, June 26, 2019 discussed the bidding process for services within the City of Auburn. A motion was made by Johnson to codify the bidding process for services into ordinance form; second by Hemmerle. VOICE Vote Aye: Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY Lori Basiewicz, Bill Karhliker, and Ben Royer. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (5-3-0-0)

Alderman Johnson also informed the Council that the Reimbursement Policy was discussed at the June 26 Administration Committee. A motion was made by Johnson to reimburse, on an annual basis, $250 to Office Manager Kristy Ponsler for the use of her personal cell phone; second by Garrett. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Bill Karhliker, Rod Johnson, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Larry Hemmerle and Joe Powell. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (6-2-0-0)

B. Public Works – Karhliker

Alderman Karhliker posed the question to Mayor Berola what is really under Public Works. Karhliker was trying to establish if buildings/structures were under Public Works. Mayor Berola indicated that buildings/structures were under public works. Karhliker then turned it over to Alderman Royer to share his concerns regarding the placement of something on the agenda. Apparently Royer asked for the gazebo and the speaker system to be placed on the agenda under parks and it was not placed on the agenda. Royer would like to clarify who has the authority to place something on the agenda. After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Berola stressed that working together and communication is the best strategy to get things accomplished.

Alderman Royer informed the council that he had been working on getting various quotes on the sound system for the square and a new microphone digital recording for the Council Chambers. He is continuing to research and figure out the best plan and will hopefully get two additional quotes for the sound system.

Royer also indicated that he has talked with owners of businesses on the square and they would like to have the trees trimmed. Community improvement is the goal!

C. Public Utilities – Alderman Johnson

Alderman Johnson – No Report

D. Health & Safety – Alderman Sheppard

Hiring of Jay Winkleman as FT Patrol Officer

Alderman Sheppard recommended the hiring of Jay Winkleman as a full-time patrol officer for the Councils review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to hire Jay Winkleman, per the FOP contract, as a full-time patrol officer beginning on July 1, 2019; second by Hemmerle. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Bill Karhliker, Rod Johnson, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (8-0-0-0)

E. Health & Housing – Sheppard

City Clean-Up Day in coordination with Fall Garage Sales

Alderman Sheppard recommended to the Council that the City host a fall city-wide clean- up day in coordination with the fall garage sales. The Fall Garage Sales are being held on September 26, 27 and 28th. The Electronic Recycling Event will now be on Saturday, September 28. Sheppard also recommended that we work with Flowers Sanitation to get a roll off that will be placed somewhere that citizens would be able to place their items in. Concerns were brought up that the rolloff would have to be monitored with id’s being shown to prove they are residents and so they don’t bring items that don’t belong. Alderman Royer indicated that he would talk with Flowers Sanitation and see if he can get them to come down on the $430 price quote and weekend schedule.

VIII. Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle scheduled a Parks Committee meeting for July 15 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss fence price quotes and a few other items.

IX. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz reported that Matt Brown will be in attendance at the City Council meeting to discuss the EDC.

X. Other Business

Alderman Garrett shared with the Council that he feels now the City office has obtained new furniture that an ergonomic assessment should be completed.

IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjourment at 8:40 p.m. was made by Johnson from public meeting to executive meeting 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 at 9:14 p.m. out of executive session 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)

Motion to come back in regular session from executive session was made by Royer at 9:15 p.m.; second by Karhliker. 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 9:15 p.m. was made by Sheppard 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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