Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met Dec. 2.

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, Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle,

Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard.

Absent: Ben Royer

Department Heads: Chief Dave Campbell, Superintendent Mike McCarthy, Attorney Greg Moredock,

Assistant Superintendent TJ Henson and City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

Department Heads Absent: None

I. Mayor’s Comments

I. Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Berola tried to contact Wil Landers, owner of 413 N. 1st Street, by phone but was unsuccessful and left a message to return call. Property owner Wil Landers, 413 N. 1st Street, successfully called back and provided an update to the Council on the clean up and becoming compliant to the property. Landers indicated that he still has some items to finish up but has all intentions of completing the work to become compliant with the City of Auburn. He has asked that the City of Auburn allow him until February 3, 2020 to complete the tasks at hand. Alderman Sheppard asked Landers why the title work was not indicating JENCO, Inc. owned the property any longer and Landers informed the Council that they have 2 trusts, Land Trust and Jenco, Inc. Mr. Landers also informed the Council that he has asked to be on the Zoning Agenda to line up the front porch with the adjacent property. Landers will be sending a representative to the Zoning meeting on December 11, 2019 since he will be out of town. Landers did indicate to the Council that when the property is complete, he is going to see what the market looks like at the time to set his goal of selling or renting.

II. Visitors/Public Comments

No visitors were present for comment.

III. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. November 18, 2019 Meeting Minutes

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

IV. Treasurer’s Report –

A. Bills List November 19, 2019 to December 2, 2019

Treasurer Chris Warwick presented the Bills List from November 19, 2019 to December 2, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the Bills List from November 19, 2019 to December 2, 2019, second by Karhliker. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Ben Royer. (7-0-0-1)

B. Video Gaming

Treasurer Warwick informed the Council that in 2018 the City of Auburn had 8 establishments with 32 gaming machines and now 2019 the City of Auburn has 11 establishments with 51 gaming machines. Revenues for video graming are up over 40% from the previous year.

V. Attorney’s Report – Moredock

Second Reading, Ordinance 1472-19, An Ordinance Levying and Assessing Taxes for the City of Auburn

Attorney Moredock presented the second reading of Ordinance 1472-19, An Ordinance Levying and Assessing Taxes for the City of Auburn for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Powell to approve Ordinance 1472-19, An Ordinance Levying and Assessing Taxes for the City of Auburn in the amount of $44,189 (4.9%); second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Jason Garrett. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Ben Royer. (6-1-0-1)

First Reading, Ordinance 1473-19, Water Rate Ordinance

Attorney Moredock presented the first reading of Ordinance 1473-19, Water Rate Ordinance for the Council to review. Alderman Johnson provided information regarding this proposed ordinance to the Council. Johnson indicated that Jamie Headen from Benton’s encouraged us to pass the ordinance to show the EPA the steps that we have and means of repaying the loan. Alderman Garrett expressed a concern that because so much of the loans were anticipated to be forgiven that if that should not happen that the city would be forced to go back and readjust the rates higher, further upsetting the residents. Garrett felt that it would be better to roll out an initially higher fee and works towards decreasing it should the loans be forgiven, as anticipated. Alderman Johnson indicated that this is just a first reading of the ordinance and are preliminary measures.

VI. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

Chief Dave Campbell informed the Council that all of his items are under Health & Safety.

B. Superintendent -- Mike McCarthy

Superintendent Mike McCarthy informed the Council that he did not have a report.

City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler informed the Parks Committee that she has received information on a DNR parks grants. Alderman Hemmerle instructed Ponsler to send it to him and the Parks Committee will take a look at it.

VII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Alderman Johnson informed the Council that the new IMRF increase will be 3.63%. The new total employer participation rate is 16.93% which Alderman Johnson had previously calculated for the budget. No action was necessary.

B. Public Works – Karhliker

Alderman Karhliker informed the Council that the Divernon Bridge paperwork has been sent to the County.

C. Public Utilities – Alderman Johnson

Alderman Johnson informed the Council that he did not have a report.

D. Health & Safety – Alderman Sheppard

Municipal Court Meeting

Alderman Sheppard provided information on the November 19 municipal court meeting. Sheppard indicated that Pawnee may not be participating as they do not write as many citations as others and with a new chief. The next meeting is scheduled for December 10, 6 p.m. Alderman Garrett shared a concern that the City of Auburn will bear the largest parts of the expenses, should Pawnee not sign on and be a part of the Municipal Court. Divernon doesn’t feel that they should have to pay 1/3 when they are not the same size as Auburn or Pawnee. Mayor Berola indicated that he has spoken with Attorney Moredock to determine fees of splitting judge fees, revenue streams and prosecutor fees evenly. Alderman Sheppard indicated that this is a work in progress.

In Car Radios

Chief Campbell presented information regarding the need and purchasing of in car radios from Global Tech Systems in the amount of $15,178.10. A motion was made by Powell to approve the purchase of in car radios from Global Tech Systems in the amount of $15, 178.10; second by Hemmerle. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Ben Royer (7-0-0-1)

Outfitting New Police Truck

Chief Campbell presented information regarding the purchasing of items (lights, console, etc) to outfitting the new police truck from Central Service Center. A motion was made by Garrett to approve the Central Service Center bid not to exceed $6,250 for the outfitting of the new police truck; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Ben Royer (7-0-0-1)

Legalization of Marijuana and Zero Tolerance Employee Ordinances

Alderman Sheppard brought the Legalization of Marijuana and Zero Tolerance Employee Ordinances to the Council for discussion. Sheppard indicated that the City will need to decide if they will allow business and will dispensaries be allowed which would involve zoning. The big question is Medical vs Recreational. Alderman Garrett questioned what size 30 grams of Marijuana represented in size. Chief Campbell indicated to the council 30 grams of marijuana would be roughly the same size as 30 packets of sugar. Attorney Moredock indicated that he would provide some additional information so that the Council could educate themselves on this subject. The discussion of the legalization of marijuana and Zero Tolerance Employee Ordinances will continue.

Hiring PT Police Officer

Alderman Sheppard introduced to the Council one of the final applicants, Troy Kissell, for the PT Police Officer. Kissell would be attending the PT police academy beginning January 7, 2020 and graduation would be October 2020. The fee associated with sending Kissell to PT Police Academy is $2000. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the hiring of Troy Kissell at the rate of $12 per hour while he is going to PT Police Academy and paying for the academy classes at the rate of $2000. Upon graduation Kissell would become a part time police officer with the City of Auburn at the rate deemed by the police union payscale; second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Ben Royer (7-0-0-1)

Computer Replacements

Chief Campbell indicated to the Council that the computers in the Police department need to be updated because of Microsoft Windows 10 coming into effect. A motion was made by Powell to approve up to $2500 for the police computers to Windows 10 with CDS; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Ben Royer (7-0-0-1)

E. Health & Housing – Sheppard

521 W. Jackson – Walden

Alderman Sheppard provided an update on the property at 521 W. Jackson Street. Sheppard informed the Council that they bank has not taken the house. Attorney Moredock indicated that the bank needs to be contacted regarding the fines/fees that are owed to the City of Auburn.

413 N. 1st Street – Landers

Alderman Sheppard indicated that this was discussed earlier in the meeting.

F. Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle provided an update on the Parks Committee Meeting on November 21, 2019. Hemmerle reported that the committee is working with University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) to see what they can do to help improve and update the current parks within the City of Auburn. One of the things that UIS would like to do is to do community outreach by sending a survey out to each household. UIS, along with Benton’s, would help provide grant writing for the City of Auburn to apply for park grants. The Parks Committee will continue to work with UIS on this project.

VIII. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz informed the Council, even though it is not official yet, Matt Brown will be submitting his resignation due to personal reasons. Brown will be submitting a formal letter of resignation to the Mayor.

IX.  Other Business

Alderman Basiewicz would like to continue clean up of the Community Center. Basiewicz indicated that the office within the Community Center seems to be junk storage and would like to get it cleaned up. Alderman Powell indicated that the items in the office all belong to the Seniors groups and would have to be consulted prior to disposing of any items. Basiewicz indicated that she would reach out to Pat Chaplain.

Alderman Garrett reminded the Council members that the Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2019 at the Community Center beginning at 6 p.m.

IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment at 8:30 p.m. was made by Garrett and second by Basiewicz. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Jason Garrett, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: Ben Royer. (7-0-0-1)

http://auburnillinois.us/wp/wp-content/uploads/December-2-2019.pdf