Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met Oct. 21.

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: Lori Basiewicz

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

Mayor Berola informed the Council that La Fiesta would like to host a Street Party on Friday, October 25, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 12 a.m. On the other side of the square, Saturday, October 26th there will be a Broofest with microbrews, food trucks and music. Berola indicated that he didn’t want to have Labor Day issues with vendor and electrical problems, so we need to make sure they have electricity available. Alderman Garrett indicated that future power resolution needs to be addressed so that activities that require power and not be deterred from hosting event because the City does not have adequate power sources. Superintendent Mike McCarthy will reach out to Lewis Electric to see what kind of cost and time is associated with adding another tombstone on the northeast corner of the square for this purpose.

A motion was made by Garrett to allow Alderman Hemmerle to participate via telephone due the fact he was out of town on business; second by Johnson. VOICE Vote Aye: Jason Garrett, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Lori Basiewicz and Larry Hemmerle (6-0-0-2)

II. Visitors/Public Comments

1) Zoning Board Meeting – October 9, 2019

Alderman Sheppard informed the Council that the Zoning Board reviewed the EDC recommendations and will continue to review and will work with the EDC on suggestions and changes. No action came from this meeting.

2) Holiday Walk – AAC (December 6, 2019)

Dawna Edie addressed the Council regarding the Holiday Walk and requested that Jefferson street again be blocked off. They also would like to do the Holiday Parade line up at 5th and Washington so those streets would need to be blocked off.

3) Reminder of Halloween in Council Chambers on October 31st and Halloween trick or treat hours are October 30 and 31 from 5 -8 p.m.

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. October 7, 2019 Meeting Minutes

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

B. Bi-Annual Review of Executive Minutes

Clerk Barnhill reported back to the Council of the Bi-Annual Review of Executive Minutes for the review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to open all remaining executive sessions closed for 2013, 2014, 2015, 4/18/2016, 12/4/2017 and 2/4/2019; second by Johnson. Vote Aye: Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Lori Basiewicz (7-0-0-1)

IV. Treasurer’s Report –

A. Bills List October 8, 2019 to October 21, 2019

Treasurer Chris Warwick presented the Bills List from October 8, 2019 to October 21, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Karhliker to approve the Bills List from October 8, 2019 to October 21, 2019, second by Johnson. VOICE Vote Aye: Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Lori Basiewicz (7-0-0-1)

Treasurer Warwick informed the Video Gaming Revenue from August was up 48%. The May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2019 financial audit is in your drop box for your review.

V. Attorney’s Report – Reed

First Reading 1470-19, Supplemental Appropriations Ordinance

Attorney Reed presented the First Reading of 1470-19, Supplemental Appropriations Ordinance for the Council to review and share any changes necessary.

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

Chief Dave Campbell informed the Council he had no report.

B. Superintendent -- Mike McCarthy

Superintendent Mike McCarthy informed the Council that the ball fence was down and they are working on getting new one up. He also informed the Council that they did a scope on Jefferson and made it to the Bourne House (abou4th house from end of street) and all looked good. They will again attempt the scope.

City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler informed the Council that with the issues that happened at the Labor Day Festivities vendor and electrical, she has checked with IML and other communities to see how they handle their functions. Ponsler has placed a document into dropbox about insurance coverage and special events waiver. Ponsler indicated that she wasn’t for sure if the Council should discuss or the parks committee. Alderman Hemmerle indicated that he would at it to the Parks Committee Agenda on Monday. However, Attorney Reed to indicate that the City of Auburn should provide services to the vendors when participating.

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Alderman Johnson indicated that new health care figures indicated that we will have .02% increase in our insurance costs and that they all have to be turned in by October 31, 2019.

B. Public Works – Karhliker

Alderman Karhliker informed the Council windows have been replaced in the City hall building and that the roof we are still waiting on to be replaced. Karhliker is working on a petition to get on list with the county or feds to help with putting new bridge in or repairing the current one.

C. Public Utilities – Alderman Johnson

Alderman Johnson informed the Council that he placed a draft letter that he prepared under the Mayor’s signature regarding the Jefferson Street flooding. He asked that Council members please take a look at it and if they have any changes or suggestions to forward to him.

D. Health & Safety – Alderman Sheppard

Review of Committee meeting – October 9, 2019 of part time applications and conduct interviews for part time officers

Alderman Sheppard indicated that they conducted a few interviews and really didn’t feel that they had any viable candidates at this time to fill any part time positions. Chief Campbell will go back to other communities to see if they have any candidates that they didn’t hire.

Chief Campbell indicated that the new police truck should be in at the end of October or early part of November. He is looking into the cost of in car radio and all the necessities and will get bids to be presented at the next Council meeting.

E. Health & Housing – Sheppard

Nuisance Properties

505 N. 11st Street -- Sheff

Alderman Sheppard indicated that she has made various attempts to contact property owner, Beth Sheff, regarding the property of 505 N. 11st Street. A motion was made by Sheppard to declare the property at 505 N. 11st Street a nuisance and start fining $50 per day on October 28 and if fines are not paid, utilities will be shut off; second by Royer. Vote Aye: Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Lori Basiewicz (7-0-0-1)

F. Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle reminded everyone that there is a parks committee meeting on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. to move forward.

VIII. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz was absent so no report.

IX. Other Business

Alderman Royer would like to set up a meeting with School Superintendent Darien Root, Superintendent Mike McCarthy, himself and Chief Campbell to discuss the school crossings.

Alderman Royer indicated that he would like a cumulative total of the amount of money removed from unused parks funds prior to 2016. He stated that at a previous parks committee meeting that Alderman Johnson had indicated that unused funds were previously swept from the parks accounts and moved to general revenue savings. Alderman Johnson stated that he had notes going back until 2009 that he would examine the information and submit a report to the Office Manager Ponsler for distribution to the entire council.

A. IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment at 8:16 p.m. was made by Johnson and second by Royer. VOICE Vote Aye: Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Lori Basiewicz (7-0-0-1)

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