Sangamon Sun

City of Leland Grove City Council met Sept. 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER - Mayor Bangert called the meeting to order at 6 PM.

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by those present.

THE ROLL CALL was taken by Clerk Hetherington with those present (P), excused (E)

or absent (A) as indicated:

Mary Jo Bangert, Mayor (P)

Brian Miller, Treasurer (P)

Diana Hetherington, Clerk (P)

Steve Klokkenga, Alderman Ward 1 (P)

Nancy Weichert, Alderman Ward 1 (P)

Jim Moll, Alderman, Ward 2 (E)

Josh Sharp, Alderman Ward 2 (E)

Don LoBue, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

Sally Tamizuddin, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

MINUTES APPROVAL: Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Weichert, to approve the August 27, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes.

Motion carried unanimously

PUBLIC COMMENTS – No public comments.

TREASURER'S REPORT - Treasurer Miller discussed the current financial statements which show the Total Fund Balance as of August 31, 2019 was $976,227. He found nothing out of the ordinary in current expenses. He presented bills which he deemed appropriate for approval:

 Alderman Klockkenga moved, seconded by Alderman Weichert, to approve P-09-515, Unpaid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $28,461.08 Motion carried unanimously.

 Alderman, LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to approve P-09-516, Unpaid Warrants MFT, in the amount of $2,047.08.

Motion carried unanimously.

 Alderman moved LoBue, seconded by Alderman Weichert to approve P-09-517, Paid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $31,647.48.

Motion carried unanimously.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

 2020 City Council Meeting Dates

City Administrator Lanier asked for approval of the list (for 2020 meeting dates) included in the meeting packet. Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Weichert, to approve the meeting dates for 2020 (January 28, February 25, March 24, April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November 24 and December 15).

Motion carried unanimously

 Fall Leaf Pickup Dates

City Administrator Lanier recommended November 4, 11, 18, 25 and December 2 (all Mondays) for leaf pickup dates. Alderman Klokkenga moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to approve the proposed fall leaf pickup dates.

Motion carried unanimously.

LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS

City Attorney Morse referred to his monthly report which included primarily informational items. There were no new matters included in the report. There has been activity with the Woodside Township Intergovernmental Agreement. Their attorney has written a letter concerning the lack of compensation for use of the Township equipment. The Township has loaned Leland Grove equipment for several years without compensation. In discussing the letter with the Township attorney, City Attorney Morse pointed out that a number of non-Leland Grove residents use Leland Grove’s streets and raised the possibility of revising the statutory distribution of road funds.

The Township passed a resolution earlier this year which was the opposite of what was included in the agreement the Township recently sent to us for signatures. The resolution did not provide for compensation for using the Township’s equipment whereas the agreement required compensation for the use of the Township’s equipment.

Mayor Bangert reported that she had a discussion with the Woodside Road Commissioner about the discrepancies. City Council discussed the current relationship with the Township. There was a consensus that Mayor Bangert should write a letter of understanding to Woodside Township that Leland Grove wished to continue the relationship provided in the budget resolution previously past this year rather than through a formal agreement.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Bangert:

1. Thanked Alderman LoBue for filling in for her while she was out of town.

2. Reported on the first ward (Ward 1) meeting. She indicated this meeting was pretty positive and that she was pleased with the feedback. There was nothing new that had not already been discussed. She was looking forward to the next meeting with Ward 2. Alderman Klokkenga reported that some residents had volunteered to help with such things as data entry of the feedback.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Public Ways and Property

City Administrator Lanier reported in the absence of Alderman Moll.

 Wildwood Culvert

The culvert replacement at Wildwood is underway. A gas leak occurred near the intersection last week. The leak was fixed the same day. The project was to be completed in 30 days which would be October 15. Mayor Bangert asked that the Website be updated as progress occurred.

 Overlay Projects (Chatham Road plus Illini between South Grand and Laurel)

Alderman Moll had asked that the Springfield Intergovernmental Agreement be approved to make way for these projects. Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Weichert, to wave the third reading requirement for approving the Springfield Intergovernmental Agreement.

Motion carried unanimously.

Alderman Weichert moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve the Springfield Intergovernmental Agreement.

Motion carried unanimously.

 Drainage Committee

This committee has met once. All the aldermen have been involved in mapping out where drainage problems currently exist. The next step will be for the committee to set priorities.

Human Resources

Alderman LoBue had no report other than inviting others to join the personnel committee which will be meeting in the near future to review open positions. Mayor Bangert asked to be included.

Health and Sanitation

Alderman Tamizuddin reported she is waiting on a response from Environmental Protection Agency in setting up a drug recycling event for the City.

Building Permits and Zoning

Alderman Klokkenga provided updates on the permits processed since our last meeting. His report shows Total Project Costs so far this calendar year are $903,511. Total Permit Fees or this same period are $2,925.

Police Department

Chief Ryan reported an arrest has been made in conjunction with the burglary in Ward 2 previously reported. He briefed the council on grant applications he has been working on plus new projects involving text notifications and security checks.

Finance and Revenue

No report.

Communications

Alderman Weichert discussed plans for the next Leland Link which is scheduled to be distributed by October 15. She asked each ward to provide input which is due October 1. She also discussed using signs to get the word out for community meetings and other matters of interest to residents, e.g., City Council meetings. Discussion on this matter was tabled for a future meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

 Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement

This meeting marked the third reading of this agenda item.

Alderman Weichert moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin to approve the Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement.

Motion carried unanimously.

 Short Term Rental Ordinance

There were some changes made including the term and correcting typos. This meeting marked the second reading. No action taken.

Springfield Intergovernmental Agreement and Ordinance

Approval of the Agreement was covered previously under Department Reports.

Alderman LoBue asked that a copy of any agreement or ordinance which was on its third reading be to be included in future meeting packets

Woodside Township Intergovernmental Agreement and Ordinance

This agenda item was covered previously under Legal Updates and Actions.

NEW BUSINESS

 October Halloween Trick or Treat Hours

Chief Ryan reported the official hours for Halloween Trick or Treat would be 4:30-7:30 PM on October 31st.

 Approval of contract with the lowest bidder for road overlay on Laurel (between Chatham and Outer Park) and on Outer Park (between Bates and Wildwood). City Administrator Lanier reported that Alderman Moll thought the low bid amount ($107,577.93) was a fair price for the work and recommended approval.

City Administrator Lanier reported the cost of the Wildwood Culvert was more than we expected. Accepting this bid would take us over the budgeted line amount for this type work. However, we would still be within the appropriation.

Alderman LoBue moved, seconded Alderman Klokkenga to waive the three reading requirement for approving the road overlay contract with the low bidder, PH Broughton and Sons.

Motion carried unanimously.

Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to approve the overlay contract with PH Broughton.

Motion carried unanimously.

 Restructuring Ordinances

Chief Ryan suggested the City Council look at restructuring our ordinances for recent law changes to align our fees with those charged by the state. There was a brief discussion. City Attorney Morse will look into this matter. He brought up the topic of cannabis and suggested we look into an ordinance that would mirror state law.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Weichert moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:05 PM.

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