West Central Reporter

The city of Auburn City Council met June 20 for a second reading on the proposed water hike.

Members of the Auburn City Council come from each of the city’s four wards and serve four-year terms. Council meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month at City Hall, 324 W. Jefferson St. If a council meeting should fall on a holiday, the meeting will be held on Tuesday.

Here are the meeting's agenda, as provided by the city:

June 20, 2016 Page 1 of 5

City of Auburn

Council Minutes

June 20, 2016

Mayor Stamer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Present: Barb Stamer, Chris Warwick, Tom Appelt, Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Matt Gillock, Vic Devos, Jr.,

Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. Absent: None

Department Heads: Bruce Centko, Bill Karhliker (absent), and Kristy Ponsler. City Attorney: Raylene

Grischow.

I. Mayor’s Comments

a. Stamer asked if an ordinance would be required to set rules around citizens and the

public comment period. Grischow said an ordinance would be required. Warwick

responded that some council members and the mayor had approached him regarding

rules surrounding the public comment period. Grischow will work on an ordinance for

first reading by the next meeting.

b. Stamer reported that Warwick had stepped down from the Zoning Board. Stamer made

the recommendation of Ed Madaus to the Zoning Board until 2017 which would fulfill

Warwick’s term; a motion was made by Johnson to accept the Mayor’s

recommendation, second by Hemmerle. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr.,

Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY:

None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

c. Stamer reported that she had received a payment request from Greene and Bradford

for TIF Mapping. Grischow noted that the contract looked fine, except that Stamer

should cross out paragraph number six before signing. This will be part of City’s

comprehensive plan.

II. City Clerk’s Report – Warwick

a. Warwick reported that there was a Public Hearing held regarding Ordinance 1418-16

regarding the Fiscal Year 2016 – 2017 appropriations. There was no public comment

during the public hearing.

b. Warwick presented the 06/06/16 meeting minutes for the Council’s review and

approval. A motion was made by Williams to approve the meeting minutes and destroy

the recorded copy, second by Gillock. Voice Vote: AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic

Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams.

NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

c. Warwick read a Thank You letter from the family of Raylene Grischow for the flowers

that the City sent at the passing of her father.

III. City Treasurer’s Report - Appelt

a. Appelt presented the Bills List from 06/06/16 to 06/20/16 for the Council’s review and

approval. A motion was made by Gillock to approve the Bills List, second Williams.

June 20, 2016 Page 2 of 5

Voice Vote: AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry

Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None.

ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

b. Appelt presented the May Cash Balance report dated 05/31/16 for the Council’s review

and approval. A motion was made by Johnson to approve the Cash Balance Report,

second Barnhill. Voice Vote: AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt

Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY: None.

PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

IV. Attorney – Grischow

a. Grischow presented for Second Reading Ordinance 1417-16, an amendment to Utilities,

water rate increase. The increase will have a July 1st, 2016 date. A motion was made by

Johnson to accept Ordinance 1417-16; second by Gillock. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom

Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and

Seth Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

b. Grischow presented for Second Reading Ordinance 1418-16, an ordinance for the yearly

appropriations. A motion was made by Gillock to accept Ordinance 1418-16; second by

Williams. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle,

Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT:

(8-0-0-0).

c. Grischow presented for Second Reading Ordinance 1419-16, an ordinance for prevailing

wage. Grischow noted that we are waiting for 2016 numbers from the Department of

Labor so the Ordinance could not be passed. A motion was made by Berola to table

Ordinance 1419-16 until the next council meeting, second by Johnson. AYE: Julie

Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod

Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

d. Grischow presented for Second Reading Ordinance 1420-16, an ordinance authorizing

the execution of a jurisdictional transfer agreement between the City of Auburn and the

State of Illinois for a parcel located in the Northeast quadrant of the intersection of

Madison Street and Kennedy Street for improvements associated with high speed rail

project. A motion was made Johnson to approve Ordinance 1420-16; second by

Barnhill. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle,

Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT:

(8-0-0-0).

e. Grischow presented for Second Reading Resolution 63-16, a resolution to put on the

November ballot to become a Home Rule unit. A motion was made by Berola to

approve Resolution 63-15; second by Madaus. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic

Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams.

NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

f. Grischow reported that she looked into the demolition of the Barton Estate at 1027

West Adams Street. To start the process with the County it would require a $125 fee

and the City would be liable for all of the charges for the demolition. There would be an

approximate charge of $480 per thirty yard dumpster. Grischow stated that the City

June 20, 2016 Page 3 of 5

could undertake the process themselves and the cost would be about the same, but the

process could be quicker if the City does the demolition themselves. The cost would be

the same. Johnson asked if the tax liens would supersede our liens, Grischow will check

it out. Williams was concerned about the possibility of lead and asbestos.

g. Grischow asked for an Executive Session at the end of the meeting regarding a

Personnel Issue.

V. Zoning Board

a. David Trojan was asking for a reduced setback from seven feet to two feet at his

property at 430 North 7th Street to have a replacement garage put in. Madaus noted

that the Zoning Board unanimously approved the request. Madaus made a motion to

approve the setback change, second by Johnson. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic

Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams.

NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

b. Madaus reported that there was a request from Prairieland FS to change the zoning of

their lot at 407 East Jackson Street from R1 to I1; the property was recently annexed

into the City. Madaus noted that the Zoning Board unanimously approved the request.

Madaus made a motion to approve the zoning classification change from R1 to I1,

second by Johnson. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry

Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None.

ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

VI. Visitors

a. Dan Hahn from 708 West North Street was present. His property was recently damaged

by a City water main break in front of his house. He recently had his basement water

proofed and upgraded. The water main break saturated the ground in front of his house

and came through the walls and under the foundation of his basement. There was

$2,500 worth of damage. Johnson noted that there will be a Public Works/Public

Utilities committee meeting on Tuesday 07/05/16 at 6 PM.

VII. Department Heads

a. Centko

i. Centko asked for an Executive Session at the end of the meeting regarding a

Personnel Issue.

b. Karhliker

i. Karhliker was absent, Ponsler reported the following items.

ii. Ponsler reported that there was an updated quote in the Dropbox for the new

City Garage.

iii. The UGM fees will be increasing for this year as well. The fee will increase by

$0.25 per meter.

c. Ponsler

i. Ponsler reported that the software for the City’s website needs to be updated.

She checked around and the best rate for website help would be the Illinois

Electric Co-op as a suggestion. Johnson will check with Royell Communications

the City’s current web host about updating the software.

June 20, 2016 Page 4 of 5

VIII. Committee Reports

a. Administration

i. Berola reported that the committee and the Library have come to an agreement

with the Library to replace the light covers. The cost is $11.00 per cover and

there are seventy-four covers in the Library. The split cost would be $407.00.

Berola made a motion to split the cost with the Library at a cost not to exceed

$440.00; second by Hemmerle. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr.,

Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams.

NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

ii. Berola reported that we have received a bid for cleaning of the Community

Center and City Hall. The lowest bid was from Jordan Garrett at $5,500.00 per

year or $105.77 per week. Berola made a motion to accept the bid, second by

Williams. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry

Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY: None.

PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

b. Public Works

i. No Report.

c. Public Utilities

i. No Report.

d. Health & Safety

i. Gillock provided an update on the ESDA Coordinator; the committee is looking

to provide a stipend John Edie as the ESDA Coordinator. Ponsler reported that

there is a line item of $1,200.00 in the ESDA Budget. That line item also is for

the warning sirens.

e. Health & Housing

i. A motion was made by Berola to declare 403 East Jefferson Street a nuisance

because of high grass. The city crew should mow the property and apply a lien

to the property, second by Williams. AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos,

Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth

Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

ii. Berola brought up the property at 201 North Iris Street. The utilities are off, but

no one is living there.

iii. Johnson asked Berola to take a look at property on Dickey John Road because of

high grass.

f. Parks

i. Hemmerle announced there will be two movies in the park.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens on 07/09/16

2. Zootopia on 08/06/16

ii. Williams asked about the cameras in the parks. Centko reported that the Wi-Fi

does not work and we never received passwords. The service from the

company has been very poor.

g. Library Liaison

June 20, 2016 Page 5 of 5

i. No Report.

IX. Executive Session

a. A motion was made by Gillock to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of

discussing a personnel issue; second by Williams. Voice Vote: AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom

Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed Madaus, Rod Johnson, and

Seth Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-0-0).

b. A motion was made by Madaus to exit Executive Session, second by Devos. Voice Vote:

AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed

Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-

0-0).

X. Adjournment

a. A motion to adjourn was made by Madaus at 8:55 PM; second by Johnson. Voice Vote:

AYE: Julie Barnhill, Tom Berola, Vic Devos, Jr., Matt Gillock, Larry Hemmerle, Ed

Madaus, Rod Johnson, and Seth Williams. NAY: None. PRESENT: None. ABSENT: (8-0-

0-0).

Respectfully Submitted,

Christopher Warwick

City Clerk