City of Leland Grove City Council Met March 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mayor Bangert called the meeting to order at 6 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) 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 (P) Tyler Lanier, City Administrator Don LoBue, Alderman Ward 3 (A) Sally Tamizuddin, Alderman Ward 3 (P)
A quorum was present.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by those present.
MINUTES APPROVAL:
Alderman Eagan moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve the February 23, 2021, Regular Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Miller reported on the current expenses. He presented the following expenses for approval:
• Alderman Tamizuddin moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve P-03-569, Unpaid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $23,216.98. Motion carried unanimously.
• Alderman Tamizuddin moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve P-03-570, Unpaid Warrants MFT, in the amount of $759.64.
Motion carried unanimously.
• Alderman Tamizuddin moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to approve P-03-571, Paid Warrants General Fund, in the amount of $32,426.74.
• Motion carried unanimously.
The current financial statements show $1,072,805.60 for the Total Fund Balance as of February 28, 2021.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: City Administrator Lanier reported the Leland Link was out. He commented he would report on items later on the agenda.
LEGAL UPDATES AND ACTIONS:
City Attorney Morse reported he added one new matter to his monthly report involving new maps of the city. The Mayor put off proposing the ordinance making the map official until discussions with Woodside Township have been held.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor Bangert reported that the swearing-in of new aldermen would take place in May. The certification of the election results takes place on the same day as the Leland Grove regular April meeting.
The City of Leland Grove is in the running for three grants with applications that have been submitted to the State of Illinois. Should the grants be approved in total the City would receive a significant portion of the cost of Chatham Road. Illinois is expected to receive some of the $1.9 trillion COVID funds approved by Congress. Alderman Moll said we should be cautioned not to spend anything until we determine if funds will be awarded to Illinois and specifically to Leland Grove. No money may be spent before the grant award. If the grant is approved we should be willing to begin the project this year. July or August is the tentative bid letting timeframe to make the road in shape for next year.
Alderman Moll reported that the City of Springfield is asking the Illinois Department of Transportation for a waiver for the spending limitations on Motor Full Funds. The Drainage Committee: The Drainage Committee is still on hold until more members get their COVID shots.
Erosion along Outer Park between Cherry Road and Laurel: Alderman Moll has had discussions with local officials about funding that might be available to address this erosion problem. There is a special fund for cities of our size. This funding source was recently used to replace the culvert at Outer Park and Wiggins. The County would pay half the cost of the project. The County would also do permit and design work. All we need to do is send a letter as we did for the culvert project. This would allow the City to be project ready and qualified for grants. Alderman Moll suggested we go ahead because this step would not cost the City anything.
Human Resources: Mayor Bangert reported we are interviewing for a full-time police officer.
Health and Sanitation: Alderman Tamizuddin reported the WEB site has been updated with COVID information. She thanked the city crews for their recent work on the roads
Building Permits and Zoning: Alderman Klokkenga reported that there was nothing unusual in the most recent permits since our last meeting. All have been approved. His report shows (for the calendar year 2021) 9 permits with Total Project Costs of $386,411.30. Total Permit Fees for this same period are $675.
Police Department: Police Chief Ryan reported on the status of squad cars. The new squad car in not in service because related work has not been complete. Training has been hampered because of a shortage of ammunitions with 6-9 months delays. The Police Department employees have been completing scenario-based training in addition to range shooting. Chief Police Department: Ryan reported on a drive-by shooting at Chatham and Cherry Road which was determined to be an isolated instance. The Mayor commented she will call to alert the alderman when similar instances occur. The City council discussed when a press conference should be held for shootings in our City.
Finance and Revenue: (See FY2021 Budget under OLD BUSINESS.)
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 Order, Leland Grove’s emergency ordinance would automatically expire.
Alderman Sharp moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to extend the Declaration of Emergency for another 30 days or until the next regular meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
Procedures for approval of agreements (third reading) – Alderman LoBue
1. Secure a copy of the written agreement;
2. Have the attorney review the agreement; and
3. Provide City Council with a copy of the written agreement prior to any requested vote. City Council discussed the need for new procedures and the instances that were thought to support adding new procedures. No support was voiced.
Alderman Sharp moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to disapprove the proposed procedures for approval of agreements. Motion carried. (Aldermen Klokkenga, Eagan, Sharp and Tamizzudin voted aye and Alderman Moll voted nay.)
Alderman LoBue may bring this item back to the next Council meeting.
FY2021 Budget: Alderman Sharp provided the first draft of the FY2021/2022 budget:
| Annual Budgets | Operational | Motor Fuel Tax | Capital | Total |
| GENERAL | $146,410.20 | $146,410.20 | ||
| POLICE | $569,216.83 | $569,216.83 | ||
| ROAD | $231,266.71 | $233,500.00 | $202,662.50 | $667,429.21 |
| GRAND TOTAL | $946,893.74 | $233,500.00 | $202,662.50 | $1,383,056.24 |
1. Electing to become a home rule city. Home rule cities have the authority to tax.
2. Increasing our sales tax base by looking at available lots for business locations.
FY2021 Budget:
City Council discussed ways that the City could get additional funds including contributions from residents to help with purchasing trees, benches along pathways and similar items.
Alderman Sharp asked aldermen to review the draft and provide him with any input before the next meeting. Raises will be the main topic of discussion for the next meeting.
An Ordinance Amending the Personnel Policy Relating to Suspensions (third reading): A brief discussion took place about the intent of this policy change. Alderman Sharp moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga to approve the Ordinance Amending the Personnel Policy Relating to Suspensions. Motion carried unanimously.
Erosion along Outer Park between Cherry Road and Laurel (Public Ways and Property Department Report)
NEW BUSINESS: None
ADJOURNMENT: Alderman Tamizuddin moved, seconded by Alderman Klokkenga, to adjourn the regular meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 PM.
https://www.lelandgrove.com/vertical/sites/%7B7B9F0F5C-E285-4429-AE01-5A52F12A8282%7D/uploads/LGRMMarch2021Minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up