Pittsfield City Council met June 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
The meeting was held at the City Council room at 215 North Monroe Street. The following officers were present: Mayor John Hayden, City Clerk Cindy Prentice, and Aldermen Kevin Ketchum, Ed Knight, Paul Lennon, Robert Ritchart, Bill Scheiwe, Robert Wilson and Robert Wood.
Absent: Alderman Kevin Wombles
Mayor Hayden presided.
Alderman Ketchum moved to approve the minutes of the last regular Council meeting.
Alderman Knight seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ketchum moved to approve the Treasurer’s Monthly Report for the month of June 2017.
Alderman Ritchart seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ritchart moved to accept the recommendation of the Zoning Committee to approve the variance for Dawn Clark, owner of the property located at 426 East Washington Street to replace a deck which will be two feet (2’) from the garage instead of the required ten feet (10’).
Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Lennon moved to approve the request from Nazarene Church to close Mississippi Street from Fayette Street to Washington Street on July 14, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for Vacation Bible School.
Alderman Ritchart seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ketchum moved to change the date of the next regular Council meeting from Tuesday,
July 4, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. to Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. due the Independence Day holiday.
Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Mayor Hayden said the Water Committee needs more time to review the boat launch fees but will make a recommendation at the next regular Council meeting.
The garbage cans at the lake campgrounds have been picked up and a dumpster has been put in each campground for campers to place their garbage. This method will be a trial for a couple of weeks to see if it helps keep the campgrounds cleaner.
Sue Teuscher approached the Council regarding the appearance and safety of the city and the city square. She focused mainly on the old Irving building, the old Mike’s Tavern building next to the Zoe Theater, and the old Higbee School. Most of these buildings have been an eyesore for well over a decade. She said investors will hesitate to invest here when we have unoccupied, dilapidated buildings that are a danger to those walking in the area. You must walk on the curb or into the street to get past the Irving building and many people have fallen, including herself. She is worried what they will look like a few more years from now and how long they have already looked that way. Mayor Hayden said we will be voting on a proposal for Higbee School later in this meeting. He also said the current owners of the Irving building have been sent a letter. City Attorney Hollahan said a letter was sent to them
June 1, 2017 and they have until July 5, 2017 to respond. Mayor Hayden said he would like to see the Mike’s Tavern building torn down and a parking area be created but it is structurally tied to the Zoe Theater. The City owns the Zoe Theater and a Façade could be used on it.
Bid opening for the Fayette Street extension is June 29, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
City Clerk Prentice reported that equipment has been purchased to begin accepting credit card payments for utility bills. Customers will be able to swipe their cards, including cards with chips, or call in a credit card payment. Online bill pay will still not be available except through their bank and that is not anticipated to change soon. There is a 4% fee for the customer for each credit card transaction. A relatively inexpensive system has been purchased and should be available for utility bills due in
July 2017.
Mayor Hayden reported he has received correspondence stating the Illinois Department of Transportation will not be funding any projects after June 30, 2017 due to the budget impasse. The City has streets to oil and chip and the new road by the new John Wood Community College campus (260th Avenue) is to be paid by Motor Fuel Tax. There is money currently in the account to fund the oil and chip and we are preparing to bid 260th Avenue. He asked that residents be patient with the dust from sealing the streets.
Economic Development Director McCartney is checking on the status of the Safe Route to School project but thinks bills will need to be in by June 30 to be paid.
Alderman Ritchart moved to approve the Finance Committee Report and the Clerk be directed to issue the claims thereon.
Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
MECO Engineer Max Middendorf reported so far there are six plan holders for the Fayette Street extension project.
Alderman Wood moved to go into closed session at 7:24 p.m. to discuss the purchase of property.
Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Wilson moved to go back into open session at 7:35 p.m.
Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Wood moved to purchase the Higbee School property from Charlie Dolbeare at a cost of $25,000.00, subject to Mr. Dolbeare signing a merchantable title. Seller will pay his closing costs and the City will pay theirs.
Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.
Roll Call:Yea:Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Scheiwe, Wilson, Wood (7)
Nay:None (0)
The motion carried.
Mayor Hayden said once the City has received the title to the property we will seek bids to have it cleaned up. Once the property is cleaned up there are a couple of parties interested in purchasing it.
City Attorney Hollahan said we should be able to close on the property in two to three weeks, then advertise for bids for two weeks, cleanup should begin within two to four weeks after the bid has been awarded and cleanup with the right equipment could be done within two to four weeks. The goal is to have the property cleaned up by Labor Day.
Chief of Police Yelliott reported a police patrolman position was offered to Brian Johnson but he has declined the position. One full-time officer has returned to work following time off for an injury.
Alderman Knight moved to adjourn this meeting at 7:40 p.m.
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