Sangamon Sun

City of Leland Grove City Council met Nov. 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

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 (A)

Don LoBue, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

Sally Tamizuddin, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

MINUTES APPROVAL: Alderman Klokkenga moved, seconded by Alderman Moll, to approve the October 23, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes.

Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Miller discussed the current financial statements which show the Total Fund Balance as of October 31, 2019 was $1,147,008.14. He presented the following expenses for approval:

 Alderman Weichert moved, seconded by Alderman Moll, to approve

P-11-521, Unpaid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $13,318.63.

Motion carried unanimously.

 Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to approve

P-11-522, Unpaid Warrants MFT, in the amount of $277.40.

Motion carried unanimously.

 Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Weichert to approve P-11-523, Paid

Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $117,840.49.

Motion carried unanimously.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Administrator Lanier reported the alley work is complete. Sangamon County helped with grading. Seven truckloads were hauled away. The project at Cherry and Lincoln to improve drainage is underway and is expected to be complete next week. The overlay projects on Outer Park and Laurel are also complete. Mayor Bangert complimented the city street crews on their handling of our first snowfall.

LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS: City Attorney Morse explained how the Tax Ordinance is prepared. He stressed the Tax Levy Ordinance must be approved at this meeting and be delivered tomorrow. November 30 is the deadline and the County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin to waive the three readings requirement for approving the Tax Levy Ordinance.

Motion carried unanimously.

Alderman Weichert moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to approve the Tax Levy Ordinance.

Motion carried unanimously.

City Attorney Morse presented the Citation and Violations Ordinance which Chief Ryan had asked him to draft. This meeting is the first reading of the ordinance. The ordinance creates citation violations which mirror state law on the issue of smoking in a vehicle with a child present, child safety seats, seatbelt use and related matters. This change could benefit residents and others ticketed by lowering their costs and would benefit our city with increased revenues. Officers would have the option to choose a city fine or state ticket for violations. City council discussed the merits of implementing the ordinance.

Alderman Tamizuddin moved, seconded by Alderman Moll to waive the three readings requirement for the Citation and Violations Ordinance.

Motion carried unanimously.

Alderman Tamizuddin moved, seconded by Alderman Weichert to approve the Citation and Violations Ordinance.

Motion carried unanimously.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

Mayor Bangert:

 thanked Alderman LoBue for attending the County Leadership Meeting

 shared two thank you notes she received from residents.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Public Ways and Property:

Alderman Moll reported on:

 Chatham Road overlay and funding: This project is scheduled to begin next spring.

 Drainage Committee: Alderman LoBue will provide the information needed from Ward 3 to create the citywide map of drainage problem areas.

Human Resources: Alderman LoBue had no report.

Health and Sanitation: Alderman Tamizuddin reported she is working on plans for two drug take back events next year.

Building Permits and Zoning: Alderman Klokkenga reported that building permits have slowed down with only two permits being issued since his last report. Alderman Klokkenga’s report shows Total Project Costs so far this calendar year are $983,671. Total Permit Fees for this same period are $3,450.

Police Department: Chief Ryan reported:

 Results of the latest administrative hearings.

 Brandon King will start November 25.

 Additional patrols will go through December 2nd. The Illinois Department of Transportation will reimburse the costs of these patrols.

Communications: Alderman Weichert asked council members to look at the Website and provide feedback for improvements. The next Leland Link will be January

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS:

Tax Levy Ordinance: see LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS.

Citation and Violations Ordinance: see LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS.

Report from Regional Leadership Council: Alderman LoBue reported three things he thought worth sharing from this meeting:

1. Sample ordinance for cannabis facilities was shared. Since we do not have commercial property we will not have to do anything.

2. The county has a new county-wide alert system which is free. Our residents would get notices if they choose to sign up.

3. The tax on internet sales has gone into effect so we may see a small increase in sales tax.

Report from meetings with Fox Meadows: Alderman LoBue reported the Fox Meadows Board met on November 15. The background of the road closures and concerns were discussed. Three potential solutions were discussed to address concerns:

1. A visual barrier (two walls which gave the appearance of a solid wall)

2. A delineator, i.e., trucks but not cars could go through (thought impossible to implement). Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles are ok to go through, but not commercial trucks.

3. Orange cones in the middle of the street. Aesthetics was a concern with this approach.

ADJOURNMENT:

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

Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:47 PM.

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