Sangamon Sun

City of Leland Grove City Council met Jan. 28.

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 (P)

Don LoBue, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

Sally Tamizuddin, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

MINUTES APPROVAL: Alderman Sharp moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to approve the December 17, 2019, Regular Meeting Minutes with no changes. Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: A couple residing in the 1800 Block of South Noble spoke to the council about a problem involving a neighbor’s sump pump which was creating drainage problems on their sidewalks and the street.

FY2019 Audit: Lori Milesevich from Estes, Bridgewater & Ogden, Certified Public Accountants, presented the City’s Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended May 31, 2019. The auditors issued a clean opinion with no recommendations for changes. The report shows the City ended the year with a deficit of $97,406. The deficit was probably due to timing differences in payments of property taxes. Residents who wanted to take advantage of federal income taxes paid their FY2019 taxes in FY2018. Thus FY2018 Revenue was larger than normal while FY2019 revenue was lower than normal.

The audit reflects a pension liability of $450K which is not reflected on the balance sheet because the City is on the cash basis. The auditors provided guidance on how the City could reduce its risk exposure for accounts which exceeded FDIC insured amounts.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Miller discussed the current financial statements which show the Total Fund Balance as of December 31, 2019 was $1,063,725.07.

He presented the following expenses for approval:

• Alderman Weichert moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve P-01-527, Unpaid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $30,874.64.

Motion carried unanimously.

• Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Sharp, to approve P-01-528, Unpaid Warrants MFT, in the amount of $169.17. Motion carried unanimously.

• Alderman Weichert moved, seconded by Alderman LoBue, to approve P-01-529, Paid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $14,017.04.

Motion carried unanimously.

• Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve P-01-529, Paid Warrants, in the amount of $120,891.49.

Motion carried unanimously.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: City Administrator Lanier provided input on the problem of sump pumps draining into city streets.

LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS:

City Attorney Morse reported on his research of ordinances that might cover the drainage problem where sump pumps drained on city streets. He found an ordinance that is already in the City code (7-1-1c) which might be used to address this issue. Although sump pumps are not specifically mentioned, the City could grandfather them in if it is decided to use the current ordinance.

The city council discussed the extent of the issue and possible solutions. Alderman Weichert provided pictures of properties where sump pump dumping was an issue. She found in researching the issue that there were at least three options for the sump pump drainage:

1. Landscaping to provide draining within residents’ own property.

2. Directing drainage into storm sewers using a pipe from the residents’ home.

3. Dumping into neighbors’ yards.

There are probably a lot more issues with sump pump drainage that we do not know about. Drainage problems throughout the City had caused many residents to seek water-proofing solutions which include installations of sump pumps. Council discussed including an article in the Leland Link to educate residents about the problem and what might be done to remedy it.

Also discussed was drafting a policy and providing Questions and Answers on the City Website. The Drainage Committee was also asked to address this issue.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Bangert thanked Alderman Moll for filling in for her at the December meeting. She thanked Chief Ryan for planning and executing the City Christmas party and Clerk Hetherington for filling in for her at the party.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Public Ways and Property:

Alderman Moll reported that the cost estimates for the Chatham Road Project had risen significantly and was now in the range of $1.1 to $1.3 million vs. $800K. The main reason for the increase was bid prices for the overlay had gone up because of cost increases.

The City of Springfield was considering doing the project on a city basis vs. MFT State basis. Alderman Moll was able to convince their engineer that the state MFT funds were greatly needed for the City of Leland Grove to pay its share of the overlay project. There has been no change to the period of 8 years for Leland Grove to replay Springfield

Alderman Moll reported the Drainage Committee has information that can be posted onto a map to provide an overview of drainage problems throughout the City. Administrator Lanier provided details about the program that will be used to accomplish the mapping.

Human Resources: Alderman LoBue had no report.

Health and Sanitation: Alderman Tamizuddin had no report

Building Permits and Zoning: Alderman Klokkenga reported that there were no new building permits, thus his report has not changed from last month. His report shows Total Project Costs so far for the calendar year 2019 are $1,061,141. Total Permit Fees for this same period are $3,600.

Police Department: Chief Ryan referred to his report to comment on patrol activity and training. City police assisted Chatham in locating a missing person. The thermal imaging camera was a great help in locating an autistic youth who had wandered out of his home without a coat in 9-degree weather.

Chief Ryan is looking at new computers to replace the one we currently have. We could receive up to $1,000 from an IDOT grant to help cover the cost.

Finance and Revenue: Alderman Sharp reported that the Governor needs to release the money to the districts so that Senator McClure can recommend funding of Chatham Road. (Also see FY2020 Budget under New Business).

Communications: Alderman Weichert asked council members to let her know of anything they wanted in the next Leland Link.

OLD BUSINESS:

Chatham Road: See Public Ways and Property under Department Reports.

Ward meeting update: A summary of the comments will be posted on the Web Site. Status Report on Greenbriar and Huntleigh Street Closings:

Aldermen LoBue and Tamizuddin will provide residents information on possible changes and allow time for comments. Alderman Sharp suggested looking at Ace Sign Company for some more attractive signs for the road closures.

NEW BUSINESS:

FY2019 Audit: Alderman Klokkenga moved, seconded by Alderman Weichert, to approve the FY2019 Audit.

Motion carried unanimously.

FY2021 Budget: Alderman Sharp reported he would soon be meeting with the City Administrator Lanier and Chief Ryan on their individual budgets. Aldermen Sharp and LoBue will form the budget committee.

Without state funding for the Chatham Road Project, the FY2021 budget will be a very lean budget.

Sump Pump Drainage: This item was covered previously in these minutes. (See PUBLIC COMMENTS and LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS).

ADJOURNMENT :

Alderman Klokkenga moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.

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