City of Leland Grove City Council met May 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
In these difficult times, the City of Leland Grove, met remotely to limit the possible spread of the virus. This was allowed by the Executive Order issued by Governor Pritzker on March 16th.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER – Mayor Bangert called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
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 (A)
Jim Moll, Alderman, Ward 2 (P)
Josh Sharp, Alderman Ward 2 (P)
Don LoBue, Alderman Ward 3 (P)
Sally Tamizuddin, Alderman Ward 3 (P) late arrival
A quorum was present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by those present.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve the April 28, 2020, Regular Meeting Minute Motion carried unanimously.
Approval of the February 25, 2020 Executive Meeting Minutes was deferred to the June Meeting because council members have not seen them.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: none.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Miller reported he reviewed the current financial statements which seem to be in order. He saw nothing to be concerned about in his review of expenses. The current financial statements showing $836,340.67 for the Total Fund Balance as of April 30, 2020. He presented the following expenses for approval:
• Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Moll, to approve P-05-539, Unpaid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $21,657.24.
Motion carried unanimously.
• Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Moll, to approve P-05-540, Unpaid Warrants MFT, in the amount of $108.61.
Motion carried unanimously.
• Alderman Klokkenga moved, seconded by Alderman Moll, to approve P-05-541, Paid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $36,438.75.
Motion carried unanimously.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
City Administrator Lanier presented the FY2021 Annual MFT Maintenance Program for approval. Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Moll, to approve the FY2021 MFT Maintenance Program. Motion carried unanimously.
LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS:
City Attorney Morse reported on one new matter where an issue was raised whether a resident could own a goat in Leland Grove. An ordinance passed in 1976 prohibits residents to have livestock or poultry within Leland Grove. He noted the agenda included an item for renewal of the Declaration of Emergency. The recently passed State of Emergency Ordinance requires renewals of the Declaration of Emergency to be passed each month should the City Council desire to extend the State of Emergency. (See Old Business)
MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Bangert reported:
• Illini Country Club has asked to renew its liquor license. Alderman Klokkenga moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to approve the renewal of Illini Country Club’s liquor license. Motion carried unanimously.
• Property Tax receipts will be different than previous years and we are not sure how much money will come in with distributions. Previously there were three distributions. This has changed to seven distributions: June 5 &19, July 24, August 21, September 18, October 23 and November 27.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Public Ways and Property: Alderman Moll reported on the following items:
• Chatham Road paving is scheduled to be begin late summer with completion by the end of the calendar year. Efforts continue to obtain state money for the project.
• Drainage Committee will look at starting projects in Ward 3 where ditches and culverts may be used to solve drainage issues there. Also mentioned were areas where utility easements were located and continued flooding at Park and Cherry Road last weekend. The large amount of rain in the last 10 years and the type of rain, i.e., deluges has contributed to river flooding which has greatly impacted populated areas. Very few areas within our City have gutters and sewers. The very flat areas in Wards 1 and 2 create problems, including flooding in basements. We need to continue cleaning out ditches and increasing the size of pipes under driveways. Administrator Lanier reported a sewer collapse on the West Side of the Island on Bates.
Human Resources: Alderman LoBue’s report is covered under NEW BUSINESS, Approval of Employee Health Insurance Plans for FY2021.
Health and Sanitation: No report.
Building Permits and Zoning: Alderman Klokkenga reported he received 11 applications after the last meeting. Those shown on his report as pending have been approved and are in the mail. His report shows 27 permits with Total Project Costs for the calendar year 2020 are $615,400.28. Total Permit Fees for this same period are $2,025.
Police Department: Chief Ryan reported they have focused on preventive measures for the coronavirus. He is down in staff but there has not been a lot of activity. He gave some details of one incident. He also discussed an issue with a fire pit. Alderman Sharp offered to sponsor a change to the City Ordinance on burning so that our City ordinance would mirror the City of Springfield Fire Ordinance.
Finance and Revenue: Alderman Sharp’s report is covered under Old Business: FY 2021 Budget.
Communications: No report.
OLD BUSINESS
Approval FY2021 Budget: Alderman Sharp provided an overview of the budget and answered questions. The Police Department budget was trimmed down quite a bit. The total budget is over and above the previous budget. He stressed the budget is authority to spend and the amounts do not have to be spent. The City would have to limit spending if the monies anticipated from the agreement with the City of Springfield and grants from other government entities do not come in as expected. The budget includes some items that may be spent in FY2020. These items had to be included for FY2021 in the event that they are not paid in the current fiscal year.
City Council also had a lengthy discussion about current and expected revenues which will also significantly impact the FY2021 Budget. Alderman LoBue estimated there would be approximately $900,000 in revenues for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Assuming there would be comparable revenues in 2020-2021, this would result in a significant deficit. Alderman Sharp indicated he would be providing additional detailed reporting on revenues in the upcoming year to assist in staying within the budget. Alderman Moll expressed his interest in using fewer but broader categories for budget items to allow more flexibility in spending.
Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by alderman Klokkenga to approve the FY2021 budget:
| Annual Budgets | Operational | Motor Fuel Tax | Capital | Total |
| GENERAL | $145,419.67 | $ 145,419.67 | ||
| POLICE | $517,692.64 | $ 517,692.64 | ||
| ROAD | $215,728.52 | $108,500.00 | $219,662.50 | $ 543,891.02 |
| GRAND TOTAL | $878,840.83 | $108,500.00 | $219,662.50 | $1,207,003.33 |
Leland Grove 70th Birthday – Mayor Bangert reported Clerk Hetherington has been compiling the list of previously elected officials for Leland Grove. The City still plans to provide names of previous mayors and possibly other city council members on its Website.
Past Mayors Recognition – Same as preceding item.
Declaration of Emergency – Mayor Bangert requested an extension for the Declaration of
Emergency as required by the State of Emergency Ordinance. Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to extend the Declaration of Emergency for another 30 days or until the next regular meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Employee Health Insurance Plans for FY2021: Alderman LoBue reported on the quotes received from local insurance carriers. Two contractors provided quotes: Diamond Brothers and Troxell. Both were qualified and the City could choose either one. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance brokers are required to offer the same price for the same health insurance plan. There is no difference in the health insurance plans being offered by the two companies. The recommended plan by both companies would have a new network with a bigger base because the city would be included with companies with a larger number of employees. This plan would provide a 9.65% decrease in the cost of the city. The Committee to review bids and make recommendations to the City Council was split on its recommendation. The Mayor disclosed her interest in one of the companies. Council discussed the pros and cons of choosing either company. Both have connections to Leland Grove. Diamond Bros has had the insurance contract for 7-8 years. Chief Ryan commented on an experience with the current provider. Alderman Moll thanked Alderman LoBue for all his work on this contract. He acknowledged the difficulty of learning a lot about something that is constantly changing. Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga to renew the contract with Diamond Brothers. He asked Alderman LoBue to discuss with the provider the comments from Chief Ryan.
Motion carried unanimously.
Drainage Problems: This item was covered previously by Alderman Moll under Department Reports, Public Ways and means.
Illini Country Club Fireworks Permit: Mayor Bangert asked the City Council to approve the Illini Country Club’s request for a permit to have fireworks at their 4th of July Celebration. There may not be enough time after our next City Council meeting to complete the permit process which involves the City of Springfield. Alderman Sharp moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve a fireworks permit for the Illini Country Club’s 4th of July Celebration.
Motion carried unanimously.
Appreciation: Alderman Sharp thanked City Council for the kindness shown him and his family on the recent passing of his father-in-law who had served as the Mayor of Edwardsville.
City Council members congratulated Alderman Sharp and his wife on the recent birth of their son.
Mayor Bangert thank City Attorney Morse for hosting the City Council Meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to adjourn the regular meeting.
Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM.
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