City of Bushnell Council met April 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Mayor Robin Wilt called the meeting to order.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was given.
Roll Call
Ald. Donna Coates - PAld. Jim Miller - PMayor Robin Wilt - PPublic Works Director Justin Griffith - P
Ald. Chuck Howell – P Ald. Christina Steelman - ACity Clerk Tashina Bradford - PPolice Chief Joe Fosdyck - P
Ald. Mike Howell – P Ald. Bruce Lorton – PTreasurer Dan Cortelyou - PStreet Superintendent David Raymond - P
Ald. David Norton –P Ald. Brent Glisan – PCity Attorney Elizabeth Duvall - P
Ald. Lorton made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which include the following items;
1. Approval of Minutes from April 2, 2018
2. Approval of March 2018 Financial Report
It was seconded by Ald. Miller. A roll call vote was taken and the results of that vote are as follows:
Ald. Coates “aye”Ald. Miller“aye”
Ald. C. Howell “aye”Ald. Steelman“absent “
Ald. M. Howell “aye”Ald. Lorton“aye”
Ald. Norton “aye”Ald. Glisan “aye”
Where upon Mayor Robin Wilt declared the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
1. Treasurer Cortelyou discussed the $106,000 deficit in the general fund and suggested that the city utilize monies from the Non-Home Restricted fund. Cortelyou suggested using $140,000 out of the $409,000 until 2020. This would be a one-time transfer to have a buffer in the general fund. Ald. Glisan stated that he as a citizen voted to have the Non-Home Restricted fund used on the roads and he doesn’t feel as if transferring the money would be following the promise of spending the money on the streets and infrastructure. Cortelyou advised that the Street Department is funded out of the general fund and the transfer would help with the streets and infrastructure.
Ald. Miller made a motion to approve the transfer of $140,000 out of Non-Home Restricted fund and into the General Fund. There was not a second and the motion died on the floor.
Recognition of Guests:
1. Travis Hiel and guests were here to support some changes in the language of the Outside Liquor Patio Ordinance. Hiel started out commending the city’s direction of having Outside Liquor Patio areas for patrons at establishments throughout the city. Hiel stated he would like to see a few changes in the language of the ordinance. Hiel would like to see the outside liquor patio option opened up to everyone and not just the Class A liquor license holders. He stated he is willing to purchase a different Class license, however would like to see the ordinance opened up. Hiel went on to discuss the 6ft. fence around the patios and how he would like to have the option of having a decorative option or shorter fence for portions of the fence that would border the public eye. This would allow a better atmosphere and less of a “caged animal” feel for patrons. Hiel also stated he feels like the city has a lot of fees and would prefer for the patio fee of $200 be taken out of the language. He feels that the $200 would be better spent upgrading the business to invite people in from surrounding areas.
Ad Hoc (Mayors Report):
1. Mayor Wilt ask Clerk Bradford the total for the Big Bang Breakfast, she advised $2189 was collected between breakfast and the silent auction. The breakfast was such a success that we ran out of food! Now we know what to expect and would like to make this our Annual fundraiser for the Fireworks Display. Thank you to Vaughan & Bushnell for donations and Ald. Glisan for washing all the dishes Saturday, thank you to Ald. Miller for his donation, Ald. Steelman for her donation, Ald. Coates, Dawn Duckwiler, Mary Brown, Michael Ebert for being everywhere they were needed and to Linda Bradford for being the head chef. Mayor Wilt added that she would have liked to have seen more of the council present and helping.
2. The Fireworks Donation letter will be going out this week. The deadline for the $10,000 deposit is due on May 15th.
3. Mayor Wilt took the Mosaic tour this past week and advised that the Park District and Mosaic are partnering to give work to some Mosaic clients looking for work in our community.
4. Mayor Wilt asked on behalf of the Park District if the city could pick up the waste from the Park Clean up days on April 28th. According to Wilt and the Park District they do not have a way to get the waste to the dump. Griffith stated he would get back to them.
5. Mayor Wilt advised there are many new ideas and events coming up in the downtown area. Wilt advised that there is discussion of having a farmers market inside the depot and a city store front featuring items sold in the city.
6. Mayor Wilt met with Logonix along with Justin for the phones and internet.
7. Mayor Wilt advised that Dan Cortelyou is resigning from his position for Enterprise Zone, so there will be an opening if anyone is interested.
8. May Play Days are May 10, 11, 12 and the Rotary has changed up their radio days and will be hosting them inside the depot on those days, as opposed to the Fall Festival.
9. Clerk Bradford will be meeting with our auditor, Craig Meyers, on Wednesday to discuss practices and procedures to make the audit more streamlined.
10. MDH Round Table 4/26 to discuss the impact MDH has on our community.
11. Dare Graduation will be held on 5/1.
12. Mayor Wilt met with our web masters again and our new webpage is just about ready to launch. She is excited to show it to the council and can’t wait to do so. Jill Griffith and Jonny Miller have done a great job and worked hard on our webpage.
13. Courtyard Estates of Bushnell is hosting a Seniors and Heroes Breakfast from 8am to 10am Saturday, April 21st.
Personnel/Finance/Budget
Public Works – Street/Sewer/Alley:
1. Meeting held 4/10
*The manhole at Washington St. was discussed and it was the committee’s recommendation that the project be paid for out of the money left from the Revolving Loan Fund. Eric Moe will discuss later in the Engineering Report.
*Reminder that the city will pick up yard waste prior to clean up days. Yard waste must be on the terrace prior to 12pm on April 23rd and will be picked up on April 23rd and 24th.
*There were multiple complaints on snow removal. The committee discussed the complaint of rock thrown into the yards and sod scraped up.
*The culvert at the back entrance of the High School has been damaged and will need replaced when possible.
*Discussion concerning the use of City Personnel for traffic control while tree was cut down at JoJo’s was discussed and the committee will put together a bill.
2. Dave Walton Farm Lease is ready for approval. The lease will reflect the changes in the tillable ground due to the sale of property to Mark Rauschert.
Ald. Glisan made a motion to approve the Dave Walton Farm lease. It was seconded by Ald. M. Howell. A roll call vote was as follows:
Ald. Coates “aye”Ald. Miller“aye”
Ald. C. Howell “aye”Ald. Steelman“absent “
Ald. M. Howell “aye”Ald. Lorton“aye”
Ald. Norton “aye”Ald. Glisan “aye”
Where upon Mayor Robin Wilt declared the motion carried.
3. Justin Griffith, Public Works Director received a quote from Logonix for our phone and internet services across all city buildings. The quote came in with a $440 monthly savings from what the city is paying now with Comcast and Frontier. Griffith advised he reached out to Comcast, who wouldn’t provide a quote without a contract renewal, to Frontier, who wouldn’t fix the phone issues we are having now without an agreement with them, and to McDonough County Telephone Co-op, who advised that they cannot service the city due to the tower’s line of sight. Logonix is the only company to come through with a quote and it falls within our budgeted amount. City Attorney, Duvall, advised we need to put the notice in the paper one more time to give everyone the chance to bid the job before making a motion for approval. Griffith advised he will ensure the notice to bid is put in this week.
Police/Liquor/ESDA:
1. Police Committee Meeting was held 4/10
*Chief Fosdyck advised the committee that an agreement with the State Police is needed to do fingerprinting for liquor license applications.
*Chief Fosdyck also advised he has been searching for quotes for new tasers, as they are discontinuing the current model. Fosdyck would like approval to move forward with the quote from Axon Enterprises for 6 new tasers. The tasers are already in the budget and approved.
*Outdoor Patio for Class A Liquor Licenses was discussed, primary concern is noise. There were no changes made at this time.
2. Next Police/Liquor Meeting will be 5/14 at 4pm at the complex.
3. Mayor Wilt read a letter from Sheriff VanBrooker recognizing Chief Fosdyck on his outstanding police work in Operation Ice Melt. With the help of Chief Fosdyck, there were 21 arrests made.
4. ESDA Meeting held 4/9
*Discussion with Director Griffith about the Gas Department Emergency Response Manual.
*ESDA Director Rench advised that ESDA received a donation check from TEST and thanked Dan Roberts. The donation will be utilized for the Drug Dropbox.
Parks/Recreation
Real Estate
Economic Development
MAEDCO:
1. MAEDCO Executive Director Pierce advised there is an Enterprise Zone meeting 4/19, where there will be an opening to approve.
2. The CEO Program is moving forward and working towards transitioning the steering committee to the board. Kathy Dinger is anticipated to be Bushnell-Prairie City High School’s representative.
3. Executive Director Pierce also advised she is working on 9 active projects, 2 being in Bushnell area.
Engineering Report:
1. Eric Moe from IMEG advised that he is seeking approval from the council to apply to utilize part of the Revolving Loan Fund for 25 point repairs, 1 new manholes, 11 manhole adjustments and grant administration. The city had applied for a grant a few years ago for the portion of sewer that is needing repair now and were denied because there were not enough health and safety issues to receive the grant. Now there are issues with the concrete sewer causing sinkholes, however that is not causing enough health and safety to receive the grant. Moe advised since the Revolving Loan Fund will be lost if not used, this would be an option to fix the sewer issues. The cost of the total project would be approximately $377,000.
Ald. Norton made a motion to approve the application for the sewer project in the Southwest quadrant. Ald. Miller seconded the motion and a roll call vote was as follows:
Ald. Coates “aye”Ald. Miller“aye”
Ald. C. Howell “aye”Ald. Steelman“absent “
Ald. M. Howell “aye”Ald. Lorton“aye”
Ald. Norton “aye”Ald. Glisan “aye”
Where upon Mayor Robin Wilt declared the motion carried.
Ald. Miller made motion to adjourn.
Ald. Lorton seconded motion.
Meeting was adjourned
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1idlbyQzBB0pWW5K3w4dukybC-H7NZOVB
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