Sangamon Sun

City of Leland Grove City Council met Oct. 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mayor Bangert called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM.

NEW ALDERMAN FOR WARD 1: June Eagan was sworn in by Mayor Banger for the position of Alderman in Ward 1.

THE ROLL CALL was taken by Clerk Hetherington with those present (P), excused (E) or absent (A) as indicated:

Mary Jo Bangert, Mayor (P)                       Also Present: Brian Miller, Treasurer

Steve Klokkenga, Alderman Ward 1 (P)     Diana Hetherington, City Clerk

June Eagan, Alderman for Ward 1 (P)        Saul Morse, City Attorney

Jim Moll, Alderman Ward 2 (P)                   Dan Ryan, Police Chief

Josh Sharp, Alderman Ward 2 (E)              Tyler Lanier, City Administrator

Don LoBue, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

Sally Tamizuddin, Alderman Ward 3 (P)

A quorum was present.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by those present.

MINUTES APPROVAL:

Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to approve the September 22, 2020, Regular Meeting Minutes. 

Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Miller reported the numbers seemed to be appropriate. He mentioned that there were two payments to City Council members because there were two meetings in September: the regular monthly meeting on September 22 and a special meeting on September 27 to approve the CURE Act Authorization Ordinance. The current financial statements show $1,269,548.12 for the Total Fund Balance as of September 30, 2020. He presented the following expenses for approval:

• Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to approve P-10-554, Unpaid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $29,647.68. 

Motion carried unanimously.

• Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman LoBue, to approve P-10-555, Unpaid Warrants MFT, in the amount of $2,111.53. Motion carried unanimously.

• Alderman Moll moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve P-10-556, Paid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $49,796.95. Motion carried unanimously.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: City Administrator Lanier reported:

• Landscaping for the Huntleigh and Greenbriar project would be done soon.

• A Freedom of Information Request was received concerning some large rocks placed in the City right of way in the 2100 block of Illini Road. One of these rocks, inhibited access to a driveway. After discussion, City Council asked the City Administrator to provide the resident with two weeks’ notice to move the rock in question or that the City would move at the resident’s expense.

LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS:

City Attorney Morse reported that there were two ordinances on the meeting agenda under New Business: Cable Operator Ordinance and the Tax Levy Ordinance. The first ordinance allows the City to collect a fee for cable operators and the latter is an annual ordinance required for the City to receive property taxes.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

Mayor Bangert reported the City is considering purchasing table-mounted Plexiglas dividers to allow City Council to meet in person for future meetings. This expenditure would be reimbursed under the CURES Act. She also thanked Alderman Tamizuddin for her work on the Leland Link and other City Council members who contributed to the Link which was published on time.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Public Ways and Property:

Alderman Moll reported the City of Springfield still plans to bid the Chatham Road project after the first of the New Year and to start construction in the spring. There is no news on funding.

Residents in Ward 3 met and discussed options to solve drainage issues. One resident provided a detailed report last week with short term and long term projects to address drainage. Mayor Bangert asked that the report be shared with City Council members.

Human Resources: Alderman LoBue explained the coverages under the IML Risk Management Insurance. He recommended the City pay the renewal by the deadline for the early payment discount. Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Moll to waive the three readings requirement for approving the IML Risk Management Insurance Renewal. Motion carried unanimously. Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Moll, to renew the IML Risk Management Insurance. Motion carried unanimously.

Health and Sanitation: Alderman Tamizuddin spoke about COVID testing available in the area. She thanked everyone who provided input for the Leland Link.

Building Permits and Zoning: Alderman Klokkenga’s report shows 54 permits with Total Project Costs for the calendar year 2020 are $921,175.28. Total Permit Fees for this same period are $3,975.

Alderman Klokkenga reported he received 7 new applications since the last meeting. Six were approved. A resident at 2135 Wiggins applied for a detached garage permit with a height of 22+/- feet. This permit was denied according to Ordinance 9-3-11. With further review it appears there are conflicting Ordinances regarding garage heights, Ordinance 9-3-7, 9-1-2 (definition) and 9-3-13. Therefore Alderman Klokkenga moved that the denial be reconsidered and the garage be allowed, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, that the permit for a detached garage (as written in the permit application) be approved for 2135 Wiggins. Motion carried unanimously.

Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin that a refund be made to the resident at 2135 Wiggins for the $500 variance fee less any related expenses. Motion carried unanimously.

Police Department: Police Chief Ryan reported on body cams and a vacancy created by an officer taking a position with another local municipality. Fortunately one of our part time officers is available to work extra time until the position is filled. Chief Ryan announced that Officer Butch Tuxhorn celebrated his 35th anniversary with the Department on October 25.

Finance and Revenue: No report

Communications: No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

Declaration of Emergency: Mayor Bangert asked for an extension for the Declaration of Emergency. The declaration may be needed should Leland Grove apply for federal funds. She asked the City Council to extend the current Declaration of Emergency for another 30 days or until the next regular meeting. If the Governor does not issue another Emergency Ordinance, Leland Grove’s emergency ordinance would automatically expire.

Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to extend the Declaration of Emergency for another 30 days or until the next regular meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

i3 Broadband: Mayor Bangert reported that i3 Broadband has signed up some customers. City Attorney Morse drafted an ordinance to allow the City to collect a 5% franchise fee of gross revenues from i3 Broadband customers. (See Cable Operator Ordinance under New Business).

NEW BUSINESS:

Long Range Planning: Mayor Bangert pointed out the meeting packet included a document summarizing ideas submitted for the long range plan. She asked aldermen to provide the City Administrator two names from their respective wards to serve on a committee for the long range plan development.

Cable Operator Ordinance: Alderman LoBue suggested adding some additional language to the draft ordinance. City Attorney Morse added such language during the meeting.

Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Tamizuddin, to waive the three readings requirement to approve the Cable Operator Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. Alderman Tamizuddin moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve the Cable Operator Ordinance (Ordinance #445). Motion carried unanimously.

Tax Levy Ordinance: City Attorney Morse explained how he drafted the Tax Levy Ordinance.

This is an annual requirement due in December.

Alderman Klokkenga moved, seconded by Alderman LoBue, to waive the three readings requirements for approving Tax Levy Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. Alderman LoBue moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve the Tax Levy Ordinance (Ordinance #446). Motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT:

Alderman Tamizuddin moved, seconded by Alderman LoBue, to adjourn the regular meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM.

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