City of Rushville City Council met Nov. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. ROLL CALL & CALL TO ORDER
The Rushville City Council met in the meeting room of the City Hall building. Upon convening, City Clerk, Stacey Briney called the roll. Upon ROLL CALL, the following answered present: Council Members: Susan Acker, Richard Davis, Terry Dodds, Jeff Ervin, Bob Lambert, Barry Rebman, and Mike Ryan. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Council Member, Paul Trimble was absent.
Others present included: Stacey Briney, City Clerk; Charlie Burton, City Attorney; Nathan Campbell, Superintendent of Operations; Rick Wright; Chief of Police; David Haney of The Rushville Times; Schuyler Isley, Economic Development Director; Sydney DeWeese, Peace Corp Fellow; and Amy Anderson.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Clerk, Stacey Briney.
IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR CARSON KLITZ, LAMBERT MOVED TO ELECT JEFF ERVIN AS MAYOR PRO-TEM. DODDS SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” VOICE VOTE.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Amy Anderson stated she is very concerned with the intersection of East Jefferson Street and North Liberty Street. Anderson said when there are cars parked in front of the business on North Liberty Street, no matter which spot they are parked in, a person cannot see if something is coming when trying to pull away from the stop sign. Anderson noted she has talked to several different people and they have said the same thing. Superintendent of Operations, Nathan Campbell reported the city had taken two (2) parking spots out on East Jefferson Street. Street Committee Member, Terry Dodds wondered if it would be better if the city made those spots parallel spots instead. Mayor Pro-Tem, Jeff Ervin suggested the street committee meet to try to find a solution.
Amy Anderson left the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
4. DISCUSS & CONSIDER RENEWAL & DOWN-PAYMENT OF WORK COMP, LIABILITY, AND PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE
Insurance Committee Chairman, Richard Davis reviewed the renewal premium. Davis reported the city paid One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Two Hundred Ninety-Seven Dollars ($144,297) last year and this year the premium increased to One Hundred Forty-Nine Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Eight Dollars ($149,448), and with the addition of the cyber insurance, the total premium will be One Hundred Fifty-Three Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-Eight Dollars ($153,948).
Davis MOVED TO APPROVE THE WORK COMP, LIABILITY, AND PROPERTY & CASUALTY RENEWAL OF ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT DOLLARS ($153,948), TO INCLUDE THE CYBER INSURANCE, WITH A DOWN-PAYMENT OF THIRTY-EIGHT THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($38,487). Dodds SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Acker, Davis, Dodds, Ervin, Lambert, Rebman, & Ryan; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Trimble.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
All items on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council Member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the Consent Agenda.
a. Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held October 17, 2022
b. Approve the Minutes of the Sewer Committee Meeting held October 25, 2022; & Claims & Insurance Committee Meeting held November 1, 2022
c. Approve “Claims for Council Approval Dated 11/07/22” & Accept Monthly Reports
d. Approve Reserving Central Park on Saturday, September 2, 2023, for a Wedding
e. Approve Reserving Central Park on Saturday, October 7, 2023, for a Wedding
Lambert MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Acker SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Davis, Dodds, Ervin, Lambert, Rebman, Ryan, & Acker; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Trimble.
6. ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – IF APPLICABLE All items were approved on the Consent Agenda.
7. DISCUSS & CONSIDER RENEWING LICENSED WASTEWATER OPERATOR CONTRACT WITH ERIC THURMAN
Sewer Committee Chairman, Jeff Ervin reported the committee had met with wastewater licensed operator, Eric Thurman. Ervin noted the old contract was a three (3) year contract with an amount of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700) per month, and the renewal would be for the same timeframe at Eight Hundred Dollars ($800) per month.
Ervin MOVED TO APPROVE RENEWING THE WASTEWATER LICENSED OPERATOR CONTRACT WITH ERIC THURMAN. Rebman SECONDED.
Dodds asked if there was anyone else that might be seeking their license for the water operator, and Campbell said Thurman is and he has been working on it himself.
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Dodds, Ervin, Lambert, Rebman, Ryan, Acker, & Davis; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Trimble.
8. DISCUSS & CONSIDER 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1353, ANNUAL TAX LEVY
Ryan MOVED TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 1353, ANNUAL TAX LEVY TO THE SECOND (2ND) READING. Rebman SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Ervin, Lambert, Rebman, Ryan, Acker, Davis, & Dodds; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Trimble.
9. DISCUSS & CONSIDER PLANTERS ON THE SIDEWALK BY RUSHVILLE STATE BANK
Sidewalk & Lighting Committee Member, Terry Dodds reported there was a suggestion from Petie Hamm or G M Sipes Construction on possibly taking the curbed planters out when they replace the sidewalk from Rushville State Bank down to the theater. Dodds stated Hamm felt there are chances of water settling underneath causing it to freeze and thaw and then break up the sidewalk and curb. Dodds wondered if the council wanted to put the curbed planters back the way they are or just cover them over with concrete, except for the memorial tree in front of the Rushville Times.
Dodds said Campbell has been looking to find planters that would match what is up on the square. Campbell noted he is waiting to get an estimate on them. Campbell stated in 2016, those planters cost One Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($1,300), and he is pretty sure that price has increased quite a bit. Ervin said he feels it would be up to the businesses or PRIDE to take care of and if they do not want to, then we can just get rid of them. Council Member, Barry Rebman thought if there is a chance of pulling up the sidewalk, then the city should just get rid of them.
Dodds MOVED TO APPROVE DOING AWAY WITH THE INGROUND, CURBED PLANTERS AND LEAVING THE MEMORIAL TREE IN FRONT OF THE RUSHVILLE TIMES. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Lambert, Rebman, Ryan, Acker, Davis, Dodds, & Ervin; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Trimble.
10. DISCUSS & CONSIDER REPLACING IMPELLERS ON PUMP AT NORTHWEST LIFT STATION
Water Committee Chairman, Jeff Ervin reported the pump at the prison is having problems. Ervin stated the company came down and looked at it and said the two (2) impellers need replaced. Ervin noted everyone thinks they are the original impellers. Ervin said they will pull one (1) impeller at a time. Ervin stated the cost to replace both impellers is Eight Thousand Two Hundred Sixteen Dollars and Thirty Cents ($8,216.30).
Ervin MOVED TO APPROVE REPLACING TWO (2) IMPELLERS ON THE PUMPS AT THE NORTHWEST LIFT STATION AT A COST OF EIGHT THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN DOLLARS AND THIRTY CENTS ($8,216.30), PLUS FREIGHT. Dodds SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Rebman, Ryan, Acker, Davis, Dodds, Ervin, & Lambert; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Trimble.
11. DISCUSS & CONSIDER REPAIRING ROOF AT LAGOONS AND MAINTENANCE SHED
Ervin reported during the wind storm, there was damage to both the lagoon shingled roof, which was in bad shape anyway, and the metal roof at the maintenance shed. Ervin stated Campbell got two (2) estimates for both roofs, one (1) from Veterans Construction and one (1) from R & D Roofing. Said estimates at attached and a part of these minutes.
Ervin said Veterans Construction priced the lagoon roof at Four Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($4,100) and R & D Roofing priced it at Three Thousand Two Hundred Dollars, and Veterans Construction’s estimate on the maintenance shed roof was Eight Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars ($825) and R & D Roofing’s was One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1,200). Ervin reported this would be covered under our insurance but we have a Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollar ($2,500) deductible and by the time the adjuster depreciated the shingles, it probably would not meet the deductible.
Dodds said Veterans Construction only has two (2) pieces of metal and not three (3) that was damaged. Campbell noted they thought they could salvage one (1) sheet. Ervin suggested having R & D Roofing do the lagoon and Veterans Construction do the maintenance shed.
Ervin MOVED TO APPROVE R & D ROOFING TO REPAIR THE ROOF AT THE LAGOONS AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($3,200), AND VETERANS CONSTRUCTION TO REPAIR THE ROOF AT THE MAINTENANCE SHED AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($825). Ryan SECONDED.
Council Member, Susan Acker stated, from past experience, we need to make sure Veterans Construction are licensed roofers, and Campbell said he already checked on that.
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Ryan, Acker, Davis, Dodds, Ervin, Lambert, & Rebman; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Trimble.
12. COUNCIL MEMBER & OFFICIALS’ REPORTS
Cemetery Committee Chairman, Bob Lambert reported they have been looking at replacing the shed at the cemetery. Lambert stated Morton Builders came down and after they gave an estimate, Lambert decided that no one can afford to build a building, so Lambert said they are looking at other options. Council Member, Mike Ryan noted he went down and looked at the existing building and he thinks the city can do some repairs and maybe add a 24x24 addition to it.
Sidewalk & Lighting Committee Member, Terry Dodds reported he is glad to see the sidewalk project started. Campbell said G M Sipes is going to pour one-half (1/2) of the sidewalk on South Liberty Street tomorrow and the other one-half (1/2) on Wednesday. Campbell noted Ameren is relocating the guidewire also.
Claims & Insurance Committee Chairman, Richard Davis reported he had an AFLAC agent contact him about insurance for the employees. Davis stated he found out the city already has an AFLAC agent and he will be here before the April open enrollment.
City Attorney, Charlie Burton reported he was asked to contact the trash company, GFL, to see if they would establish a bank account locally for residents to pay their bills. Attorney Burton stated GFL sent a letter back pretty much saying no and highlighted where the contract says the city can do the billing. Attorney Burton stressed that takes a lot of effort and time that is not fairly compensated. Acker asked what percentage of the residents are unhappy about mailing their bill in, and Lambert noted there was a problem with the website at one time and mailing was the only option. Lambert stated if the website is working now, then there probably is not an issue anymore. Attorney Burton said that by the city not doing the billing, it avoids extra foot traffic and interrupting other things that need to be done.
Attorney Burton also reported that he was anticipating a gentleman that purchased the Little Street trailer court being at the meeting regarding his plans for it. Attorney Burton stated the new owner called him and was asking about the stipulations on putting storage container homes in there. Attorney Burton said there were questions to if this would comply with current mobile home ordinance and it would not so he would need to petition the city for a variance. Attorney Burton stressed these are not mobile homes so he would be in violation of the ordinance.
Attorney Burton said he received a packet of materials for the USDA grant where the city is the applicant for the work at the old city hall building for the Schuyler County Economic Development Commission. Attorney Burton stated one of the requirements is to have a legal agreement, but the current agreement the city has will not work. Attorney Burton read the agreement that was given to him to the council. Said agreement is attached and a part of these minutes. Consensus of the council was to join into a legal service agreement with USDA.
Schuyler Isley, Economic Development Director noted this was the form that was provided to them from the USDA. Attorney Burton stated that as of now, the compensation falls within his retainer and he is willing to do it if falls under his allotted time, but if it goes over, he will come back to the council.
13. ADJOURN
Acker MOVED TO ADJOURN. Dodds SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Acker, Davis, Dodds, Ervin, Lambert, Rebman, & Ryan; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT – Trimble. THE MEETING STOOD ADJOURNED ACCORDINGLY AT 7:35 P.M.
https://www.rushvilleillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/22-11-07-Minutes.pdf
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