Sangamon Sun

City of Leland Grove City Council met Oct. 22.

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 (P)

Josh Sharp, Alderman Ward 2 (P)

Don LoBue, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

Sally Tamizuddin, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

MINUTES APPROVAL: Alderman Sharp moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve the September 24, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes with name spelling corrections.

Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Representative Mike Murphy delivered good news, i.e., he included Leland Grove’s Chatham Road Project in his top three priorities for District 39’s share of the Capitol Bill Appropriation.

TREASURER'S REPORT:

Treasurer Miller discussed the current financial statements which show the Total Fund Balance as of September 30, 2019 was $1,166,180.34. He reported he found a significant error in the Unpaid Warrants from the general fund. The error was corrected and the new balance of $16,358.44 should be reflected for P-10-518. He presented the following expenses for approval:

 Alderman Sharp moved, seconded by Alderman Weichert, to approve P-10-518, Unpaid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $16,358.44.

Motion carried unanimously.

 Alderman, Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve P-10-519, Unpaid Warrants MFT, in the amount of $319.26.

Motion carried unanimously.

 Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga to approve P-10-520, Paid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $32,992.43.

Motion carried unanimously.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Administrator Lanier had no report.

LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS:

 City Attorney Morse commented on an email he sent out before the meeting concerning an old issue involving a fence in Ward 2. He advised the Council that no further action was needed.

 City Attorney Morse has been working with Police Chief Ryan on a list of items which are currently violations of state law but for which we do not have specific ordinances. By adopting ordinances, we would have the option of issuing City citations rather than traffic tickets. These ordinances will be prepared over the next several months.

 City Attorney Morse reported that the Short-Term Rental Ordinance was on the third reading at this meeting and could be approved. (See Old Business)

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

Mayor Bangert reported on the following:

1. Ward Conversations: A resident of Ward 3 has helped her compile the data for each ward. The next step will be to combine all three wards’ data into one document.

 89 residents or 6% of the total of 1,472 residents, participated in the meetings:

Not having a breakdown by ward, the following figures assumed a third of the residents resided in each ward.

 Ward 1 39 residents or 7.9% participated

 Ward 2 25 residents or 5% participated

 Ward 3 25 residents or 5% participated.

 The most input was received on Ward 3 road closures. Enforcement and safety issues were the main concerns. City Administrator Lanier has ordered some signs that will be placed on current signs to indicate “no outlet” to the streets that are closed to through traffic.

2. Woodside Township – Mayor Bangert has had several conversations with Woodside Township (Brad Miller). We are still working on a handshake agreement in lieu of the proposed new contract which changed some key terms of our current agreement.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Public Ways and Property:

Alderman Moll reported:

 Wildwood culvert is complete. Many positive comments were received about this project.

City Administrator Lanier reported the overlay projects on Laurel between Chatham Road and Outer Park and on Outer Park between Wildwood and Bates will be our next project.

 Chatham Road project will have the same look as the portion just completed. We still need bids and finalized funding. State funds will pay a big part in this project.

 Drainage Committee members are putting together maps of drainage problem areas and will combine onto one map.

Human Resources:

Alderman LoBue reported the:

 Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association sent us a bill ($58,457) for insurances: workmen’s compensation, auto liability and property damages. He recommended payment in full to receive the 1% ($584.57) discount which has been done in the past. Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve the IML insurance bill in full so that the City would be entitled to the 1% discount. Motion carried.

 Personnel Committee has recommended an offer to hire a full-time police officer.

Health and Sanitation:

Alderman Tamizuddin had no report.

Building Permits and Zoning:

 Alderman Klokkenga provided updates on the permits processed since our last meeting.

 City Council discussed some projects which will likely not be completed within a year of the period shown in permits. Suggestions were made to increase the cost of renewals or providing additional fees/penalties to encourage more timely completions. Other options included letters from our City Administrator or City Attorney or enforcement of the nuisance ordinance. A new or revised ordinance may be required to implement these changes.

 Alderman Klokkenga’s report shows Total Project Costs so far this calendar year are $955,671. Total Permit Fees or this same period are $3,300.

Police Department:

City Police Chief Ryan reported:

 He made a conditional offer to the individual recommend by the Personnel Committee. The start date would be December 1.

 He has joined a social media, i.e., Next Door Leland Grove. His settings allow posting but not responses because he is concerned about being buried with emails.

 Jason Martin resigned his part time position. Officer Martin’s full-time position is the Chief of Police for Divernon.

Finance and Revenue:

Alderman Sharp reported Senator Murphy had covered everything he wanted to report.

Communications: Alderman Weichert:

 Reported the city newsletter went out as planned. She posted the link for our meeting agenda on Next Door Leland Grove.

 Asked for input on what council wanted to report and how they wanted info reported.

 Asked council to review the City’s Website and report their suggestions on navigation and/or content.

OLD BUSINESS:

 Short-Term Rental Ordinance (third reading)

This ordinance defines "short-term rental" under 9-3-5.

Alderman Sharp moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve the Short-Term Rental Ordinance (#437).

Motion carried unanimously.

 Woodside Township Intergovernmental Agreement and Ordinance was covered under Mayor’s Comments.

NEW BUSINESS: None

ADJOURNMENT:

Alderman Sharp moved, seconded by Alderman Weichert, to adjourn.

Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:04 PM.

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