City of Winchester City Council met July 4.
Here is the agenda provided by the Council:
Mayor Rex McIntire called the meeting to order, with the following council members present: Ron Bell, Lawrence Coultas, Randy Fisher, Terry Gregory, Jeff Pittman, Bill Jacquot and City Clerk, Brenda Robinson.
Also in attendance were: Amy Brown, City Treasurer; Randy Ford, Water Plant Supt.; George Lindsey, Police Chief; John Simmons, Supt. of Public Works; John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney; Carmen Ensinger, Scott County Times; Reg Benton, Benton & Associates; Sandy Hurrelbrink, Darrell Howard, Chuck Frost, Winchester Civic Group and Caleb Handy, Assistant Police Chief.
MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to pay bills as presented. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
MOTION: Terry Gregory moved and Randy Fisher seconded to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes from the March 7 meeting. Roll call resulted 5 yeas and 1 abstention. Bill Jacquot abstained since he could not get the minutes to print out right. Motion carried.
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to approve and dispense with the reading of the minutes from the March 23 meeting. Roll call resulted in 5 yeas and 1 abstention. Ron Bell abstained since he was not at the meeting. Motion carried.
Mayor McIntire addressed the council to inform everyone that Sam Peak, one of the city’s leading citizens had passed away that morning. He will be missed.
At last month’s meeting there were citizens complaining about low water pressure in the North part of town, so McIntire invited Reg Benton, Benton & Associates to address the council.
Randy Ford, Water Plant Supt. said the water problem had been that way for a long time and with new houses going up it was going to be the same or worse. Keeping the water tower full could help. A new water tower has been in the works since 2006. EPA requirements must have enough additional storage to be able to fight a fire. There are pressure concerns and a preliminary study was done. Benton said there might be USDA Rural Developmental loans. Proposed improvements are a 10,000 to 20,000 gallon tank located in the northern part of town. Both towers would be used. There were three (3) loops twenty (20) years ago when this was discussed. If favorable funding were available from USDA or DECO (low interest) with maximum grant of 45% USDA loans are $1.8 million which are very favorable with 38-year repayment loan. The city will have to do an impact study on household income for the 805 customers. The city could be eligible to receive 45% reduction in fee. This would impact the citizens an increase of $5 to $9 a month. Benton will look for the best funding available. He will get through part of the application and do feasibility plan with EPA and build upon previous support. Need to get in line and be ready for it. Allow some agreements next month. The city will not need many easements for this project.
McIntire said he would like to spread out the payments to ease the burden on fixed and elderly residents. It was suggested with the grant a $5 infrastructure fee be imposed. It was noted the gas and waste water systems are the best of any small towns in the area.
MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Terry Gregory seconded to have Benton & Associates prepare survey and make proposal for water tower. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Chuck Frost, Civic Group – The mapping named Cultivating your Community had a good turnout for four (4) of the five (5) meetings. The sixth and final meeting will be next week. They have set three (3) goals – area retail, dining, recreation and entrepreneurship. Frost stated the city has no social media need to put something on Facebook. He said the group had decided to use the city website calendar to get information out there instead of inventing the wheel.
Cultivating your Community cost $2,073. He asked if council could contribute $750 to help pay for this.
MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Ron Bell seconded to donate$1,500 to the Winchester Civic Group for mapping expenses. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Frost suggested going to local businesses and maybe have each business donate 10% of one day earnings to help fund other projects. He suggested this may bring people to town to spend money.
Frost was asked how much the Civic Group has pumped back into the community. The Glow Run netted $1,000 and $5,000 was donated to the Veteran Memorial. The Gala netted $6. The Gala will be moved to a different date this fall.
George Lindsey, Police Chief passed out his monthly report as follows: 911 Hang Ups – 1; Alarm – 1; Assist Motorist – 1; Child Abuse – 2; Child Report – 2; Civil Matter – 1; Criminal Damage to Property – 1; Domestic Reports – 1; Life Line – 2; Property Exchange – 1; Residence Checks – 1; Runaway – 1; Speak to Officer – 12; Suspicious Person – 1; Suspicious Vehicles – 2; Theft Reports – 2; Traffic Crashes – 4; Well Being Check – 2.
Lindsey stated he needed 3 new radios (digital/analog). He said there should be drug money to help pay for them. Bryce Kennedy has moved to Virginia, IL and when he works he works a 12-hour shift. Lindsey said he needs more help. He wants to hire Jesse Fall from Carrollton. He is qualified and works at the prison. Ron Bell asked if we needed to advertise. Lindsey said one (1) guy would be great. The personnel will meet on Monday, April 9 at 3:30 p.m. to interview Mr. Fall as a part-time officer. The city will advertise for part-time help in the Green County Shopper and Scott County Times.
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to purchase three (3) digital/analog portable radios at $802.50 each. Payment will come out of different account instead of the general funds. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Randy Fisher seconded to let the personnel committee interview Jesse Faul & approve Mayor’s delegation to committee to hire or not hire him. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
MOTION: Randy Fisher moved and Terry Gregory seconded to advertise for part-time police officer in Scott County Times and Greene County Shopper. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Lindsey said the blue police car was in an accident. State Farm is the insurance holder for the other person. They said they would fix the car. He received a bid of $3,625.99 from Marshall’s and a bid of $2,205.44 from Waid’s Used Cars. He said if it was totaled it could be bought back but not be able to get insurance on it. All the equipment will fit into another car.
John Simmons passed out his monthly report. White Hall will be hosting a Julie locating workshop and updates. Cost will be $75. He would like to attend along with Leland Evans and Bill McNeece. He would like to host a workshop later for other towns on electric fusion.
Simmons said he would like to bring Charlie Shelts back as a part-time temp next Wednesday. Simmons passed out pictures of residences with ordinance violations. They will be addressed.
Mayor McIntire read a thank you from the Scott County Dog Rescue for the $400 donation.
McIntire would like to hire three (3) people to work with the USDA grant project hopefully beginning next month. He said we will be working with Bill Sleeman. To get bids needed for the electrical and landscaping needs three (3) bids but do not have to advertise.
McIntire request two (2) new liquor licenses. Buck & Jo’s Too LLC would like a liquor license and license for gaming machines. They will be making a separate door and will only be allowed to serve beer and wine. Rebecca Barnett, retired military, wants to have gaming machine in the back of her business. She plans to have sandwiches & gourmet coffees along with wine. Her license will be for wine and beer only.
John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney presented the council with An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, Article 2, Sections 5 and 6 and Chapter 21, Article 3, Section 1 of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Winchester, Scott County, Illinois. This is for the Class D beer and wine only. Cost will be $400 and there are only two (2) licenses.
MOTION: Randy Fisher moved and Lawrence Coultas seconded to approve the new liquor class D license. Ordinance 868 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, Article 2, Sections 5 and 6 and Chapter 212, Article 3, Section 1 of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Winchester, Scott County, Illinois. Roll call resulted in 4 yeas and 2 nays. Ron Bell and Jeff Pittman voted nay. Motion carried.
McIntire received a letter from the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development asking for the yearly dues of $1,200.
MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Terry Gregory seconded to pay the yearly fee of $1,200 to the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
McIntire said the new property needs some work on the waterways. Some grade work needs to be done. The city guys could do the work or maybe ask J. D. Fearneyhough.
Coonrod passed out the annual tax appropriation ordinance for council to look over and revisit at the next regular meeting.
Brenda Robinson, City Clerk stated Locis the bill payment system has a PSN to do online bill pay. The cost is $500 for the machine and $7 monthly fee.
MOTION: Randy Fisher moved and Ron Bell seconded to approve installation of PSN online bill pay module for $500 with a $7 monthly fee. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
ALDERMAN REPORTS:
Randy Fisher said they made $400 from the items sold out of the house.
Robinson opened the bids for demolition of the Shive house on South Main as follows:
Gerald Moore bid $5,000
Ballard Brother, White Hall bid $6,300.
MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Lawrence Coultas seconded to accept the bid of $5,000 from Gerald Moore to demolish the house at 121 S. Main. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
Randy Fisher discussed the city web page. He would like to see under community, have the library listed and link it to their website. Add the Coop store and other events. Sidewalks will be replaced, Land purchased, city welcome new businesses. There are four (4) lots that could be for sale on N. Main St.
Bill Jacquot reported on the swimming pool. They had a meeting on March 29. Opening day will be May 26. Isabella Cox will be manager and Logyn Little will be assistant manager. All employees will need to get a food handler’s license. Each person will have to present their certificate to be reimbursed. This is an online class. Cost is $15 per person. Jacquot suggested the city reimburse each person. The pool will only be allowed to serve prepackaged items. It was decided a babysitter would have to have a $50 pool pass. The rates will be the same as last year. Family pool pass - $225; Individual Pass - $100; Daily rates: 0-5-years - $1.50; 6-17-years - $3.75; 18 years and older - $4.50; Senior Citizens (over 65 years of age) - $3. Party rates $125 party time are 7:30 – 9:30. Regular pool hours are 12:30 – 7 p.m.
Jacquot said the money from the admission and concessions will be counted and signed by two employees. Start-up money for the following day will be the responsibility of the manager and/or assistant manager. Money received above start-up will be left in overnight city depository. One or two city office personnel will again count and sign daily sheet for deposit.
Ron Bell said there were problems with shut offs while people were out of town. Something needs to be written up so everyone is on the same page.
Lawrence Coultas brought up the agreement between the city and school. He would like for Mr. Coonrod to look it over before sending to the school.
Amy Brown, City Treasurer passed out her monthly reports. She wants to make a permanent transfer from general fund to library fund $35,000 and permanent transfer from general fund to pool fund $6,000.
MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Bill Jacquot seconded to make a permanent transfer from the general fund to library fund in the amount of $35,000. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Ron Bell seconded to make a permanent transfer from the general fund to the pool fund in the amount of $6,000. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
McIntire gave a report from Leigh Winner, Animal Control Officer had three (3) dog calls, nothing to vet and four (4) cat calls with all 4 going to vet. She gave one (1) violation warning notice and two (2) impoundment redemption fees issued for $60. Total mileage was 120.24 @ $.545a mile for $65.53. All cats were feral and needed to be euthanized.
MOTION: Lawrence Coultas moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to go into closed session to discuss Personnel & Grievance Wages.
MOTION: Randy Fisher moved and Lawrence Coultas seconded to go out of closed session. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. Came out of close session at 10:35 p.m.
MOTION: Randy Fisher moved and Lawrence Coultas seconded to the wage increase by personnel committee be approved. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried.
MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Jeff Pittman seconded to adjourn. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:42 p.m.
http://www.winchesteril.com/
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