Sangamon Sun

City of Auburn City Council met Dec. 16.

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, Ben Royer and Tracy Sheppard.

Absent: None

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

Mayor Berola did not provide Mayor’s Comments.

II. Visitors/Public Comments

Brandy Brown – Auburn Carnival

Brandy Brown addressed the City Council to get approval for the dates of May 14, 15 & 16, 2020 for the Auburn Carnival. These dates follow Mother’s Day weekend so the Mayor has no issues with the dates. Brown will start working on planning the weekend.

III. Zoning

Committee Meeting – December 11, 2019 William Landers – 413 N. 1st Street

Alderman Basiewicz informed the Council that the Zoning Committee would like to grant the request of Williams Landers. Landers would like to have a constructed porch line up with adjacent property. A motion was made by Basiewicz to approve the request to construct a porch that lines up with the adjacent property of 412 N. 1st Street; second by Sheppard. VOICE Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Jason Garrett and Ben Royer. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (6-2-0-0)

EDC Reviewing Current Zoning Requirements and Ordinances Related to Zoning

Alderman Basiewicz informed the Council that the EDC has been reviewing current zoning requirements and Ordinances related to Zoning and will provide edits at the January meeting.

IV. City Clerk’s Report – Barnhill

A. December 2, 2019 Meeting Minutes

Clerk Barnhill presented the meeting minutes from the meeting on December 2, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Garrett to approve the minutes with changes for 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: Ben Royer. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None (7-1-0-0)

V. Treasurer’s Report –

A. Bills List December 3, 2019 to December 16, 2019

Treasurer Chris Warwick presented the Bills List from December 3, 2019 to December 16, 2019 for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the Bills List from December 3, 2019 to December 16, 2019, second by Basiewicz. 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. (8-0-0-0)

B. November 2019 Cash Report

Treasurer Warwick presented the November 2019 Cash Report for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Sheppard to approve the November 2019 Cash Report; second by Basiewicz. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, and Tracy Sheppard. NAY: Jason Garrett and Ben Royer. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None. (6-2-0-0)

VI. Attorney’s Report – Moredock

Second Reading, Ordinance 1473-19, Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 24, Article II - Utilities

Attorney Moredock presented the second reading of Ordinance 1473-19, Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 24, Article II – Utilities for the Council’s review and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve Ordinance 1473-19, Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 24, Article II –Utilities; second by Powell. Vote Aye: Lori Basiewicz, Larry Hemmerle, Rod Johnson, Bill Karhliker, Joe Powell, and Ben Royer. NAY: Jason Garrett and Tracy Sheppard. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: None. (6-2-0-0)

First Reading, Ordinance 1474-19, Ordinance Amending Chapter 18 of the City Code Regarding Cannabis and Drug Paraphernalia Violations

Attorney Moredock presented the first reading of Ordinance 1474-19, Ordinance Amending Chapter 18 of the City Code Regarding Cannabis and Drug Paraphernalia Violations for the Council’s review.

First Reading – Ordinance 1475-19, Ordinance Amending the City Code by Adding Chapter 30, Prohibiting Cannabis Business Establishments

Attorney Moredock presented the first reading of First Reading – Ordinance 1475-19, Ordinance Amending the City Code by Adding Chapter 30, Prohibiting Cannabis Business Establishments for the Council’s review.

First Reading – Ordinance 1476-19 An Ordinance Amending the City Liquor Code to Amend the Local Representative Requirement for Licenses.

Attorney Moredock presented the first reading of First Reading – Ordinance 1476-19 An Ordinance Amending the City Liquor Code To Amend the Local Representative Requirement for Licenses for the Council’s review.

First Reading – Ordinance 1477-19, Ordinance Approving A Loan Agreement in the Amount of $5,500,000 with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Authorizing and Providing for the Issue of Waterworks Revenue Bonds in a Like Principal Amount of the City of Auburn, Sangamon County, Illinois for the Purpose of Defraying the Cost of Extending and Improving the Waterworks System of Said City

Attorney Moredock presented the first reading of First Reading – Ordinance 1477-19, Ordinance Approving A Loan Agreement in the Amount of $5,500,000 with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Authorizing and Providing for the Issue of Waterworks Revenue Bonds in a Like Principal Amount of the City of Auburn, Sangamon County, Illinois for the Purpose of Defraying the Cost of Extending and Improving the Waterworks System of Said City for the Council’s review. Authorization to Sign Certificate – No referendum

Attorney Moredock presented information to the Council to allow the City of Auburn Mayor and City Clerk to sign certificate without a referendum. A motion was made by Johnson to approve the authorization of the City of Auburn Mayor and City Clerk to sign certificate; second by Powell. 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. (8-0-0-0)

Employee Handbook/Policy Manual and/or update to Personnel Code to reflect Drug Free Workplace Policy

Attorney Moredock encouraged the City Council to work together to produce an employee handbook/policy manual. Alderman Johnson indicated that he would be setting an Administrative Committee Meeting after the first of the year. Alderman Royer asked Johnson to add a section on “Ethics”. Alderman Garrett asked if additional information was available or the possibility of samples of other community employee handbooks. Moredock indicated that he can provide samples of community employee handbooks and IML also has information on their website that is available.

VII. Department Heads

A. Chief Dave Campbell

Accept Resignation of Officer Todd Agans

Chief Dave Campbell informed the Council that Officer Todd Agans has turned in his letter of resignation effective December 29, 2019. A motion was made by Basiewicz to accept the resignation of Office Todd Agans effective December 29, 2019 as a full-time officer; second by Garrett. 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. (8-0-0-0)

Retention of Office Agans as Part-time Officer

Chief Dave Campbell informed the Council that Todd Agans, although resigning as a fulltime officer, would like to remain on as a part-time officer. A motion was made by Garrett to retain Todd Agans as a part time officer at a rate of $19 per hours, pending part time employment approval letter from his new employer (State of Illinois); second by Johnson. 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. (8-0-0-0)

Hiring FT Police Officer

Chief Dave Campbell informed the Council that the part time police academy is booked. Campbell is hoping that he can get the candidate into the March 2020 class with a graduation date of June 2020. Campbell also wanted to make sure that the Council is still good with hiring of Troy Kissell when the academy spot becomes available. After asking the Chief of Police the tenure of the current officers Alderman Garrett expressed his desire to change the paradigm of our existing police department. Because the State and Federal agencies benefits are better, and pay significantly more, Alderman Garrett asked the Chairman of the Health and Safety committee (Alderman Sheppard) to think of ways to make our police department a great training agency.

Alderman Royer asked Chief Campbell if the department has any radar guns that are not calibrated. Campbell indicated that there is one gun that is not calibrated, and it has been taken out of commission.

B. Superintendent -- Mike McCarthy PEPL Rate Case

Superintendent Mike McCarthy informed the Council that the PEPL Rate will possible increase 400% because it costs so much for service. PEPL Rate Case is being discussed as to whether we should sign on to the rate case or not sign on. The Council agreed to have Mike and TJ contact the City of Morton, Illinois. A motion was made by Johnson to approve to be represented in the PEPL rate case RP 19-1523 by the law firms, Blue Planet Energy Law, LLC and Day Pitney, LLC, provided that enough municipalities have agreed to participate that the estimated proportional cost to the City of the total $390,000.00 does not exceed $20,000 in legal fees; second by Garrett. 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. (8-0-0-0)

City Office Manager Kristy Ponsler

Office Manager Kristy Ponsler informed the Council that the office has been receiving a phone calls indicating that consumer’s utility bills are higher. Ponsler wanted the Council to know that there was an extra week in November and gas rates were higher. Ponsler did indicate that a recheck can happen if a customer is requesting it.

VIII. Committee Reports

A. Administration – Johnson

Alderman Johnson announced that he will be setting an Administration Committee meeting after the January 6th meeting.

B. Public Works – Karhliker

Alderman Karhliker provided accolades to the garage for their hard work of removing snow last night and this morning.

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 informed the Council and Alderman Johnson that the Municipal Court will need to be placed on the Administration Committee agenda as they need to set fines and fees. Sheppard informed the Council that they are hoping to hold the first Municipal Court in March 2020.

E. Health & Housing – Sheppard

Alderman Sheppard indicated other than the Landers – 1st Street property zoning there was not report.

F. Parks – Hemmerle

Alderman Hemmerle provided an update on the Parks Committee. Hemmerle indicated that the U of I will produce and implement a survey for the Auburn parks. They will oversee it and take care of getting it to our residents and compiling the results. Hemmerle also shared with us that Alderman Royer has provided information on the purchase of new decorative trash cans for the square. Alderman Garrett indicated that the Friends of the Auburn Parks said they would help defray the expenses of U of I on the comprehensive park plan.

Alderman Hemmerle informed that the Council that he would like to get approval of the Adopt A Park Waiver. A motion was made by Royer to approve the Adopt A Park Waiver; second by Sheppard. 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. (8-0-0-0)

IX. Economic Development Committee – Basiewicz

Alderman Basiewicz informed the Council that Bewitching Botanicals, a new store on the square, is interested in doing a grand opening.

X. Other Business

IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjournment at 8:12 p.m. was made by Garrett and second by Sheppard. 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. (8-0-0-0)

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