Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met Sept. 3.

Here is the agenda 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, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle (arrival at 8:25 p.m.), 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

Former Mayor Barb Stamer

Former Mayor Barb Stamer addressed the Council providing information from her recollection and information regarding Red Bud Park. Stamer provided the Council members with a packet of information regarding the development of Red Bud Park.

William Landers

William Landers attended and addressed the Council. He reported that he was the “principal” of JenCor. He inquired about the current amounts of fines and if they could be reduced and by how much if he made the needed repairs. He has pledged to fix the 1st street property within 2 1⁄2 months. The council agreed to give him until December 2nd to make the property habitable. There was no final agreement on the fines or their reduction.

Redbud Park

Citizen Todd Smith again approached the Council inquiring about the Redbud Park and the plans. He is questioning the Council regarding the use of the park tax. Mayor Berola indicated that a meeting would be called of the Parks Committee and Todd Smith would be on the agenda.

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. August 19, 2019 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on August 19, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Basiewicz to approve the minutes for August 19, 2019 minutes, second by Karhliker. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (7-0-0-1)

B. Bi-Annual Review of Executive Minutes

Barnhill indicated that she would be setting a Bi-Annual Review of Executive Minutes meeting on October 7 at 6:45 p.m.

IV. Treasurer’s Report –

A. Bills List August 20, 2019 to September 3, 2019

Treasurer Chris Warwick presented the Bills List from August 20, 2019 to September 3, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the Bills List from August 20, 2019 to September 3, 2019, second by Basiewicz. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Jason Garrett. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (6-1-0-1)

V. Attorney’s Report – Reed

A. First Reading, Ordinance 1469-19, Debt Authorizing Ordinance

Attorney Rusty Reed presented the first reading of ordinance 1469-19, Debt Authorizing Ordinance for the Council to review.

B. License Fee for Pipeline Crossing Agreement

Attorney Reed presented the License Fee for Pipeline Crossing Agreement to the Council for the review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve 2 separate checks of $3000 for each license fee for pipeline crossing agreement; second by Garrett. Vote Aye: Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: Lori Basiewicz. ABSENT: Larry Hemmerle (6-0-1-1)

Mayor Berola will be contacting the railroad regarding maintaining the grass around the fence along the railroad tracks.

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

Chief Dave Campbell informed the Council that the new truck has been ordered and it will take around 12 weeks.

Campbell also informed the Council that the software used by the police department will need to be updated as ISP does not support it any longer.

B. Superintendent -- Mike McCarthy

Superintendent Mike McCarthy informed the Council that Terry’s new truck is in and they gave the City $3000 for a trade in on the old truck.

McCarthy also informed the Council that the rock is in and oil and rock will either begin on Friday or beginning of next week.

C. City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler indicated that a meeting will need to take place regarding software for the meters.

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Alderman Johnson indicated that new health care figures will be available so a committee meeting will be scheduled next month.

B. Public Works – Karhliker

Alderman Karhliker reiterated what Superintendent Mike McCarthy reported regarding oil and chip beginning later this week or early next week.

C. Public Utilities – Alderman Johnson

Alderman Johnson reminded everyone that the public hearing has been set for Wednesday, September 4, 7 p.m., City Council Chambers. This hearing will be to educate the general public and take general comments. All comments will need to be sent back to the EPA.

D. Health & Safety – Alderman Sheppard

a. Sangamon County Animal Control Intergovernmental Agreement

Alderman Sheppard presented the Sangamon County Animal Control Intergovernmental Agreement for the Councils review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve the Sangamon County Animal Control Intergovernmental Agreement in the amount of $1,821.82; second by Basiewicz. VOTE Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Ben Royer. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (7-1-0-0)

E. Health & Housing – Sheppard

Alderman Sheppard indicated that a meeting will be set with Aldermen Royer and Basiewicz to discuss nuisance properties and solutions.

F. Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle was briefly informed of the presentation from Former Mayor Stamer and questions from Citizen Todd Smith. Hemmerle indicated that he would listen to the meeting recording and set a meeting up with the Parks Committee.

VIII. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz distributed a letter that is being mailed to business owners throughout the City of Auburn to take part in a meeting on September 26, 2019. This meeting will help the City determine what the businesses need from the EDC and hopefully expand the industry within the community.

IX. Other Business

A. Street Lights – Alderman Royer

Alderman Royer stated that at the town hall meeting that he and Alderman Garrett had been approached by a resident on Santa Fe Drive about how dark those streets are at night. Superintendent McCarthy recommended talking with residents first about light placement. Alderman Royer said that he would follow-up.

B. Sidewalks/Project on 104

Alderman Royer stated that he had spoken with Jamie Headen from Benton and Associates about the 9 blocks of missing sidewalk on Jackson Street. He reported that now would be a good time to discuss this as they are working on plans for the water service project. Bill Kahrliker stated that he wanted it on the record that he opposed the project from the standpoint that the residents of Ward 4 should not be required to participate in the repaying of any bonds. The project specifically did not involve Ward 4 residents, and there for the residents affected should be required to cover the cost of replacement as they did for the north and south sewer projects. Superintendent McCarthy and Assistant T.J. Henson stated that the due to the EPA grant requirements, it stipulates that all residents of the community would accountable for the repayment of the loan.

C. SMTD – Alderman Royer

Alderman Royer is checking with Springfield Mass Transit District to see if they will extend their services beyond Chatham and include Auburn within their service area. He will get additional information

D. Audio System/Trees in Park

Alderman Royer informed the Council that he received a quote for a new audio system for the Chambers and the price is $8000. Additional information will follow regarding the audio system and the speaker series in the park.

E. Departmental Reports – Alderman Royer

Alderman Royer provided a sample departmental report to Chief Campbell and would like to see the department heads provide a report to the council on a monthly basis. After some discussion, Office Manager Ponsler and Superintendent McCarthy agreed that generating a report was not a problem. The subject matter of what the police department may report was still in question.

F. Flooding Issues – Jefferson

Lengthy discussion happened regarding the latest flooding issue on Jefferson and of course, other parts of town. Alderman Johnson indicated that the Department of Transportation needs to show run0off calculations.

Adjournment

Motion to adjournment at 9:11 p.m. was made by Garrett and 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 (7-0-0-0)

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