City of Pittsfield City Council met Nov. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
November 19, 2019
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, was held on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the City Council room at 215 North Monroe Street. The following officers were present: Mayor John Hayden, City Clerk Ann Moffit, and Aldermen Bill Grimsley, Kevin Ketchum, Ed Knight, Paul Lennon, Robert Ritchart, Robert Wilson, Kevin Wombles and Robert Wood. Mayor Hayden presided.
Alderman Wood moved to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2019 Council meeting as amended. Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (7)
Present: Ketchum (1)
Nay: None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Ketchum moved to approve the Treasurer’s Monthly Report for the month of October, 2019. Alderman Wood seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)
Nay: None (0)
The motion carried.
Mayor Hayden passed the Kurtis Bogatzke Easement item, this will be set on the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.
Mayor Hayden presented the ICRMT insurance renewal information and explained that there will be an increase in premium of approximately $4,000, however we have additional property coverage of approximately 18 million.
Alderman Lennon asked if the Library Building was covered. City Clerk Ann Moffit will look into this.
Alderman Ketchum moved to approve accepting the ICRMT renewal as presented. Alderman Knight seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)
Nay: None (0)
The motion carried.
TIF Agreement – Unit 10 School was passed. Mayor Hayden spoke with Superintendent Paula Hawley and the Attorney for the Unit 10 School District has accepted the Agreement. The agreement will be forwarded to The Economic Development Group, LTD and an ordinance will be prepared.
Alderman Ritchart moved to hire Jordan Gerard as a Police Officer effective December 23, 2019 and authorize the Police Chief to purchase his uniforms and equipment prior to his hire date. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)
Nay: None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Wood moved to approve Ordinance No. 1645, An Ordinance Amending Section 50.62 of Chapter 50 of Title V of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, on its first reading. Alderman Ritchart seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)
Nay: None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Wombles moved to suspend the rules and have the second reading of Ordinance No. 1645 (described above) on its second reading. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)
Nay: None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Wood moved to approve Ordinance No. 1645 (described above) on its second reading by title only. Alderman Ketchum seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Grimsley, Ketchum, Knight, Lennon, Ritchart, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (8)
Nay: None (0)
The motion carried.
Alderman Wood moved to approve Ordinance No. 1649, An Ordinance Approving the Execution of a Tax Increment Financing District Redevelopment Agreement of the City of Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, on its first reading. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.
Mayor Hayden noted that when he spoke with Jonas Petty about this TIF Agreement Jonas informed him that the pipe has been delivered for the storm sewer repair and that should be completed in the next week.
Lake Advisory Board Chairman Ed Knight proposed that the lake closure gate be moved 3,000 feet North to allow the Disc Golf Course and the East Boat Ramp to remain open. Knight indicated that there is video surveillance that would capture images of vehicles that access the area. Jeff Griggs asked Chief Starman if there was damage if there was damage if we could proceed with prosecution based on the video. Chief Starman stated that the video would direct them on who to question in the investigation. Alderman Ketchum questioned why this is an issue now, as we have always closed the entire lake road in October or November. It was explained that the lake is now being used as a recreational facility and access to the Disc Golf Course and the Boat Ramp. Alderman Ketchum asked what the plan was if the roads are soft or are being damaged. Mayor Hayden said the roads will be closed if there is damage. Alderman Wilson asked Chief Starman how effective the cameras were. Starman feels that the cameras are sufficient. Tom Cawthon does not feel the lake road should remain open, however, if a portion is to remain open he thinks that the entire lake road should be open. Alderman Wood suggested we consider only addressing leaving a portion of the lake open now and possibly address leaving the entire lake open at a later time. Mayor Hayden believes that if we only leave a portion open we can control the area better. Alderman Ritchart asked if we would plow snow. It would not be treated as a priority. Currently, we plow snow from the south entrance to the dam, we do not plow the township roads.
Alderman Knight moved to close the lake road just past the road to the East Boat Ramp. Alderman Lennon seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Yea: Knight, Lennon, Wilson, Wombles, Wood (5)
Nay: Grimsley, Ketchum, Ritchart (3)
The motion carried.
Alderman Knight 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, Wilson, Wood (6)
Nay: None (0)
The motion carried.
Mayor Hayden reported that the Community Center needs Board Members anyone has interest or knows of anyone who has interest they should contact Peggy Durrall.
Mayor Hayden has spoken with Pike County Economic Director, Brenda Middendorf about the 2020 Census and there are several Census positions available and an application can be found on the Website. Alderman Wood noted that an accurate census if very important.
Mayor Hayden shared that the new Firetruck is being delivered and should be here Friday.
Alderman Grimsley has noticed that burning leaves hasn’t been as much of a problem as it has been previously but blowing leaves into the road has been worse. City Attorney Hollahan stated that it has been brought to his attention that the Winchester Mayor believes that businesses that participate in their Ladies Night should obtain a Special Use Permit to serve alcohol. Mr. Hollahan does not believe a business that is not a dram shop can be regulated by government in reference to serving alcohol. Max Middendorf asked how many participants attended our Ladies Night. Mayor Hayden heard 1,200.
Chief Starman introduced Jordan Gerard to the Council. Mayor Hayden welcomed Jordan and expressed that he is thankful that the City will have an officer with his experience.
Jim Filbert stated that, in follow up to Mr. Hollahan’s statement, most Commercial Insurance Policies have host agreements in reference to alcohol.
Diana Halmick stated that the Economic Development Department has been busy. All properties for sale are ready to be listed on the website. We also have a Google Calendar that have upcoming events listed. Diana is a member of the Two Rivers Public Officials and they are selling tickets for an Applebee’s in Quincy for $5 and $2.50 of that remains with the Two Rivers Public Officials.
Alderman Knight moved to adjourn this meeting at 6:40 p.m.
https://www.pittsfieldil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Minutes-Council-meeting-11-19-19.pdf
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