City of Virginia City Council met Aug. 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Brunk opened the regular meeting at 705pm. Roll was called Pratt, Bowman, Wulf, Behrends, and Cox answered present. Alderman French was not present. The council reviewed the agenda. Alderman Cox made a motion to approve the agenda, Alderman Wulf seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The minutes from the July meeting were presented, Alderman Cox made a motion to approve the minutes and Alderman Bowman seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The monthly bills were presented to the council, the council reviewed. Alderman Wulf made a motion to approve the monthly bills and Alderman Pratt seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Barrett stated that things are looking good, income should be at a 25% and we are at 27.2%. Treasurer Barrett also stated that total expenses are under budget with us being three months into the new budget. An audit is scheduled for the end of August. We are still working on a lot of water issues. There will be a VRWS meeting with all entities. Treasurer Barrett stated that they are working on getting all purchase contracts negotiated. If they can get all contracts approved then they will be presented to the City Council at the September meeting for council review. Treasurer Barrett stated that if the council would like more information that he has the information with him. For the month of August, video gaming was $2648.77 and sales tax was $11230.11.
Guests: Tom Prather, Alex Snedeker, Jake Jansen, Tim Icenogle
Public Comment
Tom Prather: Mr. Prather wanted to update the council on the St. Luke’s parking lot project. Mr. Prather stated that they have sent out for bids this week and they are due back by the end of the month.
Alex Snedeker: Mr. Snedeker wanted to make sure that everyone got their invite to the annual conference. Mr. Snedeker stated that they encourage all their clients to please attend the event and that it provides a lot of education, legal seminars, hot topics, all of which could assist elected officials with their entities. Mr. Snedeker stated that they will be reviewing both the health and property/casualty soon as renewal is coming up. Mr. Snedeker also introduced Jake Jansen, who is a new employee with the company. Mr. Snedeker also stated that if the council had any questions that he would be happy to help in assisting in getting those answered. Mr. Snedeker also stated that if anyone did not get their invite, to please let him know and you can get signed up for the event.
Mayor Brunk would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Randy McClure, Donnie Reynolds, and Bryce Kennedy.
Monthly Reports
Public Works: McClure stated that they finished waterline for the FS project, just need to put chlorine in the water, test it, send samples into EPA. On August 13th lightning hit the water plant, it hit the communications part of the plant.
Police Chief: Chief Kennedy was not present at the meeting
Fire Chief: Chief Reynolds stated they had a gas leak on 125 on the 22nd, responded to roll over on log road on 4th but got called off, got called to Shiloh Rd. on the 4th as well with minor injuries. The Fire Department is trying to keep up on the gear that is mandated so they are working on getting that. The Fish Fry will be put off this year, with the farming going on and planting season it would be better to hold off until next year.
Zoning Officer: nothing to report
Board Reports
Park Board: The pool closed August 11, but there are still pool parties going on. Drake Dotzert, David Petefish, Curtis Mefford, Randy McClure, Steve Dotzert and John Gebhardt all assisted in putting about 75 ton of clay on the fields but still probably needs some more. The back to school bash was a big success, they state it was the biggest group they ever had. There have been bids received to fix storm damage on the siding and the roof. Little league is over Junior High baseball starts this week. The next meeting is Aug 21st in park board room.
The Mayor stated that he had been getting a lot of complaints about the walking path on the park, McClure responded that the crew did go and weed eat the grass that is on the path.
Library Board: nothing to report
Economic Development: nothing to report
Cemetery Board: The Mayor stated that he attended the meeting this week, they asked him to come, the issue they had they worked it out themselves
Zoning Board: The Mayor stated he attended the meeting on the Dollar General, no one showed up to oppose. Looking to rezone from R2 to B2. Will vote later on in the agenda.
Attorneys Report: Attorney Veith stated that the Ordinance Governing Traffic on Cass/Illini St that is on the agenda differs a little bit from the other one, there was a request by a few alderman to add to this ordinance to put cross walks at the west side of Illinois and the south side of Cass. There are also two ordinances with Growmark on the agenda. The first is to annex the property west of County Shed Road/North of 125 into city limits. The second is to disconnect Parcel 1 which is the property east of County Shed Road/south of Gridley road from city limits. From 125 to Gridley Rd running north and south, County
Shed Rd would be the city limit. If the ordinance passes it will annex Parcel 2 into city limits and the second ordinance will disconnect Parcel 1. The ordinance for a 1st reading to rezone the property of Dollar General is also included on the agenda. There could be grants available to help maintain, repair or update Duncan St/Gridley Rd/County Shed Rd due to the future increase of traffic. Attorney Veith stated that the county has been working with the road district and city to investigate funding for this. Attorney Veith also stated that the agenda also includes the resolution that would approve an intergovernmental agreement. With this agreement that means that the City would be appointing the county as the lead and our agent. Attorney Veith said we haven’t committed to anything; we are just asked the county to investigate the funding that is available.
Mayor Brunk would like to thank Clay at the attorney’s office for helping with the paperwork for the police car.
Aldermanic Reports
Cox: Alderman Cox thanked Randy for help at the ballpark. He also stated that there have been complaints on the burning in his ward. There have also been complaints that people were walking around asking citizens for their Ameren bill, county police talked them and they exited out of town. Alderman Wulf stated that they did not register with the city. Alderman Cox also stated that Alderman French would like him to inform Chief Kennedy that Ms. Newcomer is still having the same issues, we also need to inform the Chief about the park being vandalized, they are destroying things up there again.
Behrends: Alderman Behrends stated that people are asking about the building on the corner, when and what was going to be done. Mayor says it’s a work in progress, it is supposedly empty. Currently we are looking at getting abatement appraisals so the guys bidding would have a good guess on the cost, but the building is not safe and we need to discuss with the attorney. Alderman Behrends also asked about the building on the south side of the square. The Mayor stated there is no recent info on that, Attorney Veith prepared a letter and the Mayor/Randy need to review to make sure facts are correct.
Wulf: Alderman Wulf stated that school has started again, and we need to be mindful of the kids walking. Wulf also stated that he needs to talk to randy about a few sidewalks near the school that need attention. If you are going east towards South East St, three blocks in a row there is no stop signs. Randy said there never have been. Randy also stated that Grant St doesn’t have stop signs on it. Wulf says these are just as important as the others.
Bowman: nothing to report
Pratt: nothing to report
French: not present
City Clerks Report: nothing to report
Mayors Report: Mayor Brunk stated that what he was going to mention was already discussed: about the zoning, the sidewalks, and the cemetery. Its been a busy week with meetings.
Unfinished Business
none
New Business
A. Crime Stoppers
Alderman Wulf stated that the county used to have CrimeStoppers but it has been inactive for 6 or 7 years. Going forward, Cass County will join in with Morgan and Scott County, they are currently in the process of sending paperwork to the state. Once this is approved, we will have a consolidation between Cass/Morgan/Scott County CrimeStoppers. The problem is that there are still signs with the old information on it and they will need to be taken down. We want awareness for the community, most of the time someone sees a crime, they are scared to report. People are worried about confidentiality, Wulf stated that the number goes to Canada and it gets scrambled so they have no idea who they are, if they need to contact back it goes back to Canada and comes back to the initiator. Tips processed, arrest made, tips are based on the severity of the crime between $50-$1000. They pick a bank, they call you back, and they tell you your money is at the bank with a number, you go in and give the number, they wont ask your personal information. We are looking to put signage in each city, and that’s where the money will go to that we are looking for upfront, they are looking for $1000 to start up. We will need sponsorships to help get this started, we want information up in the schools as well. One idea is to have McGruff for public awareness to attend parades or community events. There are 5 seats on the board, 3 are filled and 2 are still open. The signage in Beardstown will have Spanish, French, and English. Brad Widmer, Ron Blakeman, Ott Wulf are currently on the board, and we would like someone from Arenzville area as well to spread out the representation.
B. Ordinance Governing the Traffic at Illini and Cass Streets (1st reading)
The council reviewed the proposed ordinance. Alderman Cox made a motion to approve the Ordinance Governing the Traffic at Illini and Cass Streets and Alderman Behrends seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Ordinance for a Petition to Annex Certain Property West of County Shed Road (1st reading)
Attorney Veith welcomed any questions from the council they may have on this ordinance. Alderman Pratt made a motion to approve the Ordinance for a Petition to Annex Certain Property West of County Shed Road and Alderman Bowman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
D. Ordinance for a Petition to Disconnect Certain Property East of County Shed Road
The council reviewed the proposed ordinance. Alderman Cox made a motion to approve the Ordinance for a Petition to Disconnect Certain Property East of County Shed Road and Alderman Behrends seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
E. Ordinance for Rezoning Property for Dollar General (1st reading)
Alderman Cox stated that Alderman French wanted to know if they had plans for the old Dollar General? Mayor stated that he has no information but the manager told me that corporate will not allow 2 Dollar Generals in one town. Alderman Wulf made a motion to approve the Ordinance for Rezoning Property for Dollar General and Alderman Pratt seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
F. Resolution on an Intergovernmental Agreement with Cass County and the Virginia Road District
Tim Icenogle: Mr. Icenogle stated that the reason he is at the meeting tonight is because we approached the state before they broke ground about finding funding and they said in small communities like they like to work with one engineer, like the county engineer. We would see what funds are out there. Mr. Icenogle said that he went to Sunrise to see what was out there and we need to get moving on this. Sunrise wrote a check for $25000 and we put it in an account with an engineering firm to start the process. Mr. Icenogle stated that this basically means that he can speak on the City’s behalf. He also stated that any future funding will have to come back to the council for approval. He stated that they will reach out for grants and they also do a local match. Mr. Icenogle told the council that they may have to come back to the City to see if there are any funds available but that he consulted with the Mayor, the Attorney and the Treasurer and that there are not any additional funds available at this time. He stated that they wont give you a CDAP grant unless the City has some “skin in the game” too or you have no money. Western Grain will be doing the proposed work at the old site. The TIF district will sky rocket and we may be able to do that for 3 or 4 years with no interest. In addition to TIF we will see a 68% increase in motor fuel tax. We will try to use TIF or economic development type funds if needed. DCAP uses the same formula as the economic development does and will be between $700,000 and $750,000. Mr. Icenogle stated that we are looking for about 1.4 million dollars to improve the roads which would include taking out rusted culverts and looking at either concrete or asphalt pavement. He went to the township Monday and got their signatures. The Attorney has reviewed everything in order to protect the city. Mayor Brunk stated that he would like to have a conversation about the state making an extra lane for the turn. Mr Icenogle stated that we are looking at local legs right now, not the highway. The highway is 100% the state and hopefully they will resurface 125. If we have documentation on this, maybe we can justify a turn lane. As of right now there is no cost to us, but in the future there will be a discussion on payment and there will need to be a decision made on either concrete or asphalt. Alderman Wulf asked who will be doing the work? Mr. Icenogle stated that it will be contracted out. Attorney Veith stated that it can pass in the first reading because it is a resolution. Alderman Pratt asked if it included Gridley and the street in between. Mr. Icenogle said Duncan St from 125 to the corner of Gridley through the intersection of County Shed to the east end of the old Bluff Springs Elevator then it comes back up County Shed Rd. Alderman Wulf made a motion to approve the Resolution on an Intergovernmental Agreement with Cass County and the Virginia Road District and Alderman Cox seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Alderman Behrends stated that he would like to get some information from Mr. Snedeker in regards to an ordinance that allows UTV/Golf Carts.
Alex Snedeker: Mr. Snedeker stated that ultimately, it’s the city decision. There won’t be an increased premium for it, Illinois statutes are currently contradicting which is not uncommon. We would rather not have our accounts be the guinea pig. We just ask if the city adopts an ordinance that you please very thoroughly look at the statue and do it properly. You have to have a safety study done and don’t overlook it. If something happened and there is something catastrophic, the chance of a lawsuit is very high. There are rules in there that you have to follow. You can’t just throw a sign up there that permits it and do nothing. There are statues in place so if the city wants to pass this kind of ordinance, please work with the city attorney and do it the right way. We encourage you to abide by the statutes. Mr. Snedeker stated that they can have their attorney send the city attorney a letter that states the updates on the implementation of this ordinance. Mr. Snedeker told the council to please call if there were any questions.
Mayor states he would like to get some bids about painting the flag pole in front of City Hall and wanted to get approval from council to do that? Council approved.
With nothing further to discuss, Alderman Wulf made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 752pm and Alderman Cox seconded. Motion carried unanimously
http://virginiaillinois.net/minutes/august-15th-2019/
Alerts Sign-up