City of Jacksonville City Council met Dec. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Andy Ezard in the Council Chamber called the Jacksonville City Council Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was publicly announced by posting and by written notice to the local newspaper and radio stations.
ROLL CALL: The following answered present: Aldermen Brandon Adams, Don Cook, Jeff Hopkins, Jeff Lonergan, Lori Large Oldenettel, Aaron Scott, Mike Wankel, Steve Warmowski, Eren Williams; Mayor Andy Ezard; City Attorney Dan Beard; City Clerk Skip Bradshaw. Absent from the meeting was Alderman Mike Bartlett. A quorum was declared.
MINUTES: Motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Lonergan, to approve the November 25, 2019 Minutes as presented in advance. By voice vote, motion carried.
PETITIONS: No discussion.
COMMUNICATIONS: No discussion.
CLAIMS: Motion was made by Cook, seconded by Oldenettel, to pay claims when funds are available. By voice vote, motion carried.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
1. Resolution confirming Mayor’s reappointment of Chris McMinn to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, of the City of Jacksonville, Illinois (term expires December 31, 2022). Motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Cook, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2019-R-133 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution CONFIRMING MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF CHRIS MCMINN TO THE BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, MORGAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS (Term: January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion and there was none. By voice vote, motion carried.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT:
1. Resolution approving amendment to Agreement for Provision of Administrative Adjudication Services. Motion was made by Oldenettel, seconded by Scott, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2019-R-135 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR PROVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION SERVICES – (Amy Jackson / Rammelkamp, Bradney Law Office), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion and there was none.
ROLL CALL: 9 Yeas; 0 Nays; 1 Absent (Bartlett)
Motion carried 9-0-1.
CA Beard advised that item #3 on the Consent Agenda under Finance/IT/Personnel will be postponed until the January 13th Council Meeting.
2. Resolution making minutes of certain closed sessions of the City Council available for public inspection. Motion was made by Oldenettel, seconded by Hopkins, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2019-R-134 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution MAKING MINUTES OF CERTAIN CLOSED SESSIONS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION, is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion and there was none.
ROLL CALL: 9 Yeas; 0 Nays; 1 Absent (Bartlett)
Motion carried 9-0-1.
CITY CLERK’S REPORT:
1. Community Development Department Report – November 30, 2019
2. City Clerk’s Cash Receipts Report – November 30, 2019
3. City Clerk’s General Fund – Budget Report – November 30, 2019
4. City Clerk’s General Fund – Revenue Analysis Report - November 30, 2019
5. Resolution approving change order #2 for the Multi Use Path at Lake Jacksonville. CC Bradshaw noted that this is an adjustment to the dollar amount for quantities in materials. Motion was made by Scott, seconded by Lonergan, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2019-R-136 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution APPROVING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #2 WITH K. E. VAS COMPANY RE: MULTI-USE PATH IMPROVEMENTS AT LAKE JACKSONVILLE – (Net increase of $16,761 in contract price), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion. Ald. Oldenettel advised that this change order was not presented to the Council for their consideration prior to this meeting. She feels it is important that the Council be informed on these types of financial decisions and asked that the Council be notified in a timely manner of any change order requests in the future. It was determined that because the work has already been done, there is no other option but to approve this request. Mayor Ezard will notify all Department Heads to run all change orders by the Council for approval prior to completing the work. Discussion ensued regarding the path and changes to the overall design, which may have initiated the need for a change order. Motion was made by Warmowski to table this resolution. Motion failed due to lack of a second on the motion.
ROLL CALL: 8 Yeas; 1 Nay (Warmowski); 1 Absent (Bartlett)
Motion carried 8-1-1.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Nicole Riley commented that the City currently has a 7 month financial reserve and asked if the reserves will increase after the 2020 budget is complete. Treasurer Ron Smiljanich advised that the recommendation from the auditors is a 6 month reserve and the City stays between 6 and 8 months reserve every year. Ms. Riley suggested using one months reserves to help fund pensions. Doing so should not put the City in any financial distress, but it would allow the City to cut the tax levy increase from 2.50% to 1.25% while still maintaining a healthy reserve.
CONSENT AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA: (Items addressed under the Consent Agenda are routine or are brought forward at the direction of the Council and are enacted with one motion. If discussions were desired, that item would be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately under the Committee Reports.)
FINANCE/IT/PERSONNEL:
2019-R-137 Resolution AUTHORIZING VARIOUS PAYMENTS FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS - $174,973.17
(K E Vas - $134,706; R P Lumber - $242.88; Mike Cors Electric - $3,428; Benton & Associates Inc. - $16,635.34; Home Depot - $427; Hutchison Engineering - $7,617; Johnson Plumbing - $451; Midland Farm & Home - $734.91; Scott Bros Electric - $10,550; Walmart - $181.04)
2019-R-138 Resolution AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR SERVICES RENDERED - $3,483
(Bellatti, Fay, Bellatti & Beard, LLP - $2,216.50 (City Attorney); Bellatti, Fay, Bellatti & Beard, LLP - $1,266.50 (Administrative Adjudication – Asst. City Attorney)
Pulled Item Resolution approving pension claim settlement. **This item has been postponed to the January 13th Council Meeting
PARKS & LAKES: No discussion.
PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS: No discussion.
PUBLIC PROTECTION: No discussion.
SPECIAL STUDIES: No discussion.
UTILITY:
2019-R-140 Resolution AUTHORIZING VARIOUS PAYMENTS FROM THE WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE PROJECTS FUND FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS – $86,279.72
(Global Technical Systems Inc. - $17,553.20; L. W. Rouland Trucking Service Inc. - $2,820; Benton & Associates Inc. - $4,943.75; Benton & Associates Inc. - $5,722.55; Benton & Associates Inc. - $5,731.86; Benton & Associates Inc. - $6,961.09; Benton & Associates Inc. - $1,680; Benton & Associates Inc. - $1,800; Prairie State Plumbing and Heating - $39,067.27)
2019-R-141 Resolution APPROVING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 WITH PRAIRIE STATE PLUMBING & HEATING, INC. RE: WWTP BOILER/HVAC REHABILITATION PROJECT – Net increase of $28,745 to contract price
2019-R-142 Resolution AUTHORIZING QUOTE FROM VANDEVANTER ENGINEERING RE: WWTP VULCAN BAR SCREEN RAKE REPAIR - $71,924
Motion was made by Wankel, seconded by Oldenettel, to accept the Consent Agenda. Mayor Ezard asked for discussion or if there were any items to be pulled from the Consent Agenda for further discussion and there were none.
ROLL CALL: 9 Yeas; 0 Nays; 1 Absent (Bartlett)
Motion carried 9-0-1.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE/IT/PERSONNEL:
1. Second reading of an ordinance levying taxes for 2019. Motion was made by Cook, seconded by Wankel, to accept the second reading of the ordinance. CA Beard read the ordinance as proposed.
2019-O-010 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that an Ordinance LEVYING TAXES (2019 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE) – (2.50% - Total levy of $6,657,963 - General-$4,082,863; Library-$520,000; Fire Pension-$903,400; Police Pension-$1,151,700) , is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion. Ald. Warmowski suggests that rather than increasing the amount of the tax levy to meet these obligations, the City use funds stored in its reserves to fully fund the police and fire pensions and only impose a tax levy of 1.90%. The City would still have the recommended 6 months reserves but would be able to minimize the impact on property owners. He noted that if in the future the City needs more money, then the tax levy can be increased up to 5%, or higher by holding a truth-in- taxation hearing. Concerns were raised regarding the impact raising the levy from 1.90% to 5% or more in one year would have on the property owner.
Motion was made by Warmowski, seconded by Williams, to amend the tax levy to 1.90%, with the difference of.06% coming out of the general corporate purposes to fill in the remaining balance to fully fund the police and fire pensions, leaving the Library Fund and the Police and Fire Pension funds at the levels as stated in the ordinance. Discussion ensued on alternate ways to reduce the tax levy while keeping the City’s reserves intact.
ROLL CALL: 4 Yeas (Adams, Scott, Warmowski, Williams)
5 Nays (Cook, Hopkins, Lonergan, Oldenettel, Wankel)
1 Absent (Bartlett)
Motion to amend the Tax Levy to 1.90% failed 4-5-1.
Ald. Warmowski thanked everyone for their involvement in this discussion. He hopes that in the future the City will be able to remain healthy financially while still being able to offer the residents of Jacksonville an affordable place to live.
ROLL CALL: 6 Yeas (Cook, Hopkins, Lonergan, Oldenettel, Scott, Wankel)
3 Nays (Adams, Warmowski, Williams)
1 Absent (Bartlett)
Motion carried 6-3-1.
PARKS & LAKES: No discussion.
PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS:
1. First Reading of an Ordinance, with Emergency Clause, amending the Jacksonville Zoning Map for property located at 610 North Prairie Street from B-1 to R-4. Motion was made by Scott, seconded by Wankel, to accept the Emergency Clause.
ROLL CALL: 9 Yeas; 0 Nays; 1 Absent (Bartlett)
Motion carried 9-0-1.
Motion was made by Scott, seconded by Adams, to accept the second reading of the ordinance. CA Beard read the ordinance as proposed.
2019-O-012 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that an Ordinance, WITH EMERGENCY CLAUSE, AMENDING THE JACKSONVILLE ZONING MAP FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 610 NORTH PRAIRIE FROM B-1 (Neighborhood Business District) to R-4 (Two Family Dwelling District), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion. Ald. Warmowski asked if there were any objections to this request at the Plan Commission meeting and was advised that there were none.
ROLL CALL: 9 Yeas; 0 Nays; 1 Absent (Bartlett)
Motion carried 9-0-1.
2. First Reading of an Ordinance approving text amendment to the Jacksonville Zoning Ordinance pertaining to adult use cannabis. Motion was made by Scott, seconded by Adams, to accept the first reading of the ordinance. CA Beard read the ordinance as proposed.
2019-O-013 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that an Ordinance REGARDING MUNICIPAL CANNABIS BUSINESS ZONING, is hereby approved.
CA Beard explained that Jacksonville qualifies for State funding in the form of grant funding and/or low- interest loans for dispensary startup businesses. Ald. Warmowski is in favor of this ordinance and feels a dispensary would have a positive impact in Jacksonville. Ald. Oldenettel will be voting against this ordinance based upon the constituent response she has received, as will Ald. Hopkins for the same reason. Ald. Adams and Ald. Williams have received nothing but positive comments. Mayor Ezard asked for further discussion and there was none.
ROLL CALL: 6 Yeas (Adams, Lonergan, Scott, Wankel, Warmowski, Williams) 3 Nays (Cook, Hopkins, Oldenettel)
1 Absent (Bartlett)
Motion carried 6-3-1.
PUBLIC PROTECTION: No discussion.
SPECIAL STUDIES: No discussion.
UTILITY: No discussion.
OLD BUSINESS: Ald. Warmowski gave a background on the different phases of the dog park from its inception. The City Council approved the University of Illinois Plan but clarified that the City will not be involved in any of the financing, however, they gave their consent to the Bark Park Initiative to raise funds for improvements. The Bark Park Initiative has since raised enough money to purchase water fountains for the dogs, have water lines run to the fountains, and construct a small gazebo for people to use while their dogs are running around the park. Ald. Hopkins asked who will be paying for the necessary repairs in the future because the park is situated on City property. Ald. Warmowski advised that there should still be money coming in through fundraisers and donations to use for those repairs. CA Beard suggested that as a courtesy, any future projects be run by the Recreational Facilities/Parks & Lakes Department to ensure that everything is up to code and ADA compliant. Ald. Warmowski talked about the Jacksonville Park Foundation and how the various groups in the Foundation work together to raise awareness of the many opportunities Jacksonville parks have to offer. He suggested inviting the Bark Park Committee to give a presentation to the Council on future projects planned for the dog park. General discussion ensued, and at the end of discussion Ald. Warmowski asked CC Bradshaw to provide an overview at the January meeting as to how much money was spent on the recreational bike path for fencing and for the boat launch at Lake Mauvaisterre, as neither of those projects were presented to the Council for approval. Ald. Hopkins complimented Ald. Warmowski on the pictures he took of the dogs with Santa at the park recently.
NEW BUSINESS: Ald. Cook asked the Aldermen to review the draft copy of the 2020 Proposed Operating Budget that is in their folders and direct any questions to himself or CC Bradshaw. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further discussion motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Lonergan, to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
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