City of Jacksonville City Council met April 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Pursuant to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-07 (COVID-19 Executive order No. 5) suspending the requirement of the Illinois Open Meetings Act requiring in-person attendance by members of a public body during the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, attendance by all City Council Members, all Elected Officials and other City staff members will be via a teleconference call.
The members of the City Council will not be physically present in the Council Chamber for the Regular City of Jacksonville City Council Workshop and City Council Meeting but will instead be participating in the meeting via teleconferencing.
The City Council meeting will be available to members of the public via teleconferencing only.
Public comment participation is outlined in the agenda following. The time for the April 13th City Council meeting is 6:00 p.m. Workshop Session, followed by the regularly scheduled City Council meeting, but not later than 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Andy Ezard called the Jacksonville City Council Meeting to order at 6:45 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 via conference call: Aldermen Brandon Adams, Mike Bartlett, 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. A quorum was declared.
MINUTES: Motion was made by Cook, seconded by Hopkins, to approve the March 9, 2020 Minutes as presented in advance. By voice vote, motion carried.
PETITIONS: No discussion.
COMMUNICATIONS: CC Bradshaw advised there is one communication to discuss. **This request was approved.
• Routt Catholic High School and Our Saviour School are requesting a raffle license for their annual Dreams Campaign drawing to be held Sunday, September 6th. Aggregate retail value of all prizes to be awarded is $188,000.00. Payment of the licensing fee has been received, as well as a fidelity bond in the amount of $200,000.00.
CLAIMS: Motion was made by Lonergan, seconded by Oldenettel, to pay claims when funds are available. In order to maintain social distancing CC Bradshaw requests that only two aldermen come to City Hall separately to sign the claims. Ald. Scott and Ald. Hopkins are assigned. Ald. Warmowski asked if these claims could be published for the publics review. CC Bradshaw explained that they are available for viewing at any time by anyone in his office. By voice vote, motion carried.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
1. Reappointment of Kevin Heitz to the Policemen’s Pension Board of Trustees, term expires May 12, 2022. Motion was made by Warmowski, seconded by Scott, to accept the Mayor’s reappointment. By voice vote, motion carried.
2. Second reading of an ordinance amending the Jacksonville Municipal Code, Chapter 3 Alcoholic Beverages, Article II Retail Sale, Division 2 Licenses, Section 3-64 Location; Change of Location; Limitations on Number Issued (increase Class D, DD, E, EE and BH licenses by one, total 17 – Lori Wankel dba The Filling Station). Motion was made by Scott, seconded by Cook, to accept the second reading of the ordinance. CA Beard read the ordinance as proposed.
2020-O-003 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that an Ordinance AMENDING THE JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 3 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, ARTICLE II RETAIL SALE, DIVISION 2 LICENSES, SECTION 3-64 LOCATION; CHANGE OF LOCATION; LIMITATIONS ON NUMBER ISSUED – (Increase Class D, DD, E, EE and BH licenses by one, total 17), is hereby approved. Mayor Ezard asked for discussion and there was none.
ROLL CALL: 8 Yeas; 0 Nays; 2 Abstain (Wankel, Warmowski)
Motion carried 8-0-2.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: No discussion.
CITY CLERK’S REPORT:
1. Community Development Department Report – March 31, 2020
2. City Clerk’s Cash Receipts Report – March 31, 2020
3. City Clerk’s General Fund – Budget Report – March 31, 2020
PUBLIC COMMENT: No discussion.
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:
1. City Treasurer’s Report – February 29, 2020. City Treasurer Ron Smiljanich’s report for February 29, 2020, in which totals for cash receipts, cash disbursements, investments, and balances for all City bank and investment accounts were given.
2020-R-034 Resolution AUTHORIZING VARIOUS PAYMENTS FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS - $15,313.27
(R P Lumber - $88.00; Home Depot - $207.90; SiteOne Landscape - $5,124.25; Home Depot - $201.40; Midland Farm & Home - $159.99; Napa Auto Parts - $1,169.10; Global Technical System - $2,111.29; Turner Electric - $500.86; Turfwerks - $5,750.48)
2020-R-035 Resolution AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR SERVICES RENDERED - $2,076.75
(Bellatti, Fay, Bellatti & Beard, LLP - $987.75 (City Attorney); Bellatti, Fay, Bellatti & Beard, LLP - $1,089 (Administrative Adjudication – Asst. City Attorney)
2020-R-036 Resolution AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE HEALTH FUND - $1,000,000
PARKS & LAKES:
2020-R-037 Resolution AUTHORIZING WAIVER OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS; AND Removed ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL FROM CUSTOM STRUCTURES, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF BUILDING SHELL FOR THE LAKE JACKSONVILLE MAINTENANCE BUILDING – ($35,052)
2020-R-038 Resolution AUTHORIZING WAIVER OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS; AND Removed ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL FROM MIDWEST GARAGE DOOR COMPANY FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW GARAGE DOORS/OPENERS FOR THE NICHOLS PARK MAINTENANCE BUILDING – ($7,500)
2020-R-039 Resolution AUTHORIZING WAIVER OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS; AND Removed ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL FROM KNAPHEIDE TRUCK EQUIPMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF MAXI DUMP FOR THE PARKS & LAKES DEPARTMENT – ($4,050)
PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS:
2020-R-040 Resolution AWARDING BID FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ROADWAYS FOR THE EXPANSION OF DIAMOND GROVE CEMETERY – (L. W. Rouland Trucking - $48,507)
2020-R-041 Resolution APPROVING TAX INCREMENT FINANCING REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROJECT GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS AND ED SCOTT – (201 EAST MORGAN - $15,000 – 50% OF TOTAL PROJECT COST)
2020-R-042 Resolution AUTHORIZING FINAL PAYMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BLOCK WALL AND FOUNDATION AT 200 EAST MORGAN – (Steve Morthole Masonry - $8,719.99)
PUBLIC PROTECTION: No discussion.
SPECIAL STUDIES: No discussion.
UTILITY:
2020-R-043 Resolution AUTHORIZING VARIOUS PAYMENTS FROM THE WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE PROJECTS FUND FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS – $154,363.40
2020-R-044 Resolution AUTHORIZING ENGINEERING PROPOSAL WITH BENTON AND Pulled Item ASSOCIATES, INC. RE: ENGINEERING, PREPARING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS/REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND PROJECT OBSERVATION FOR MASSEY VIEW STANDPIPE PAINTING PROJECT – ($46,200)
Motion was made by Wankel, seconded by Williams, 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.
Ald. Warmowski asked to pull item #2 under Utility for further discussion.
ROLL CALL: 10 Yeas; 0 Nays
Motion carried 10-0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE/IT/PERSONNEL: No discussion.
PARKS & LAKES: No discussion.
PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS: No discussion.
PUBLIC PROTECTION: No discussion.
SPECIAL STUDIES: No discussion.
UTILITY:
1. Resolution accepting engineering proposal for the Massey View Standpipe Painting Project. Motion was made by Wankel, seconded by Williams, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2020-R-044 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution AUTHORIZING ENGINEERING PROPOSAL WITH BENTON AND ASSOCIATES, INC. RE: ENGINEERING, PREPARING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS/REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND PROJECT OBSERVATION FOR MASSEY VIEW STANDPIPE PAINTING PROJECT – ($46,200), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion. Ald. Warmowski feels this item should be delayed due to the current situation and not knowing what the financial situation will be in the coming months. Ald. Scott disagrees and feels that the City should move forward with Phase I, the engineering agreement. Ald. Wankel agrees with Ald. Scott, that due to the complexity and scope of the project it may not be prudent to wait on the engineering phase of the project. CA Beard talked about the three phases of the project, noting that the opportunity to delay the project would be at Phase II. Approving this resolution would be agreeing to incur costs of approximately $15,800 just for the engineering services.
ROLL CALL: 10 Yeas; 0 Nays
Motion carried 10-0.
OLD BUSINESS: Ald. Adams thanked all of Jacksonville’s essential service workers for their everyday contributions to provide our community the resources needed during this pandemic. He then requested that the City of Jacksonville adopt an ordinance that would incorporate a two phase approach to raise minimum wage to $15.00 per hour that pertains specifically to business with over 500 employees. CA
Beard explained that this would be a topic for the Council to discuss as a whole. If the Council is agreeable, he will draft an ordinance for their review and discussion within the next few weeks. On July 1, 2020 minimum wage will increase to $10 per hour, and January, 2021 it will increase to $11 per hour.
Ald. Oldenettel asked if the City has explored any options with regard to the closure of MacMurray College. Mayor Ezard advised that MacMurray College is still exploring options on their end, but the City has offered their assistance. General discussion ensued regarding when or how the City would get involved once MacMurray has determined a path they will pursue.
Ald. Warmowski would like to revisit the budget at some point this year, noting that it is possible that the City’s tax revenue may be lower due to the current situation caused by COVID-19. Mayor Ezard has encouraged all Department Heads to be frugal with their budgets. Ald. Cook will be getting together at some point later in the year with the Mayor, Treasurer and City Clerk to review the current budget.
NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Ezard has received several complaints about people fishing along the banks of Lake Mauvaisterre on Country Club Road. He suggested the Aldermen drive the area at some point to determine their thoughts on the matter and forward and comments or suggestions to his office.
The City has not yet closed Lake Jacksonville for fishing because of COVID-19. Because of that, many out of town people are accessing Lake Jacksonville as it is the only lake open for fishing in the area.
Additionally, many are asking if the lake is open to recreational boaters as well. At this time the City has limited access to bank and boat fishing only. Brett Gilbreth, Lake Caretaker, suggests closing the lake completely until the Governor lifts restrictions. Ald. Hopkins advised that all the State lakes, parks and trails are closed in order to be fair across the board and feels its best to close the lake. Ald. Cook agrees that it would be best to close the lake to everyone until restrictions are lifted. Ald. Warmowski wants to keep the lake open and feels closing everything down will just add to people’s anxiety. Ald. Scott sees no issue in allowing people to continue fishing, and is in support of keeping the lake open. Because the majority of people fishing on Lake Jacksonville are from other communities, LC Gilbreth feels that it has become unsafe to keep the lake open in terms of possible spreading of the virus. CA Beard suggests the Council consider LC Gilbreth’s direction in order to maintain social distancing practices. Ald. Warmowski asked that the lake continue to be open for those with season passes. Enforcement becomes an issue with leaving the lake open to limited activities. Ald. Williams is in support of continuing to allow bank-fishing.
It was noted that all campgrounds are closed until further notice. Additionally, at this point the pool will remain closed until further notice. Emergency Services Director Phil McCarty gave a brief update on daily discussions that are ongoing in order to get through this situation.
Ald. Wankel asked what the situation is like at Passavant Area Hospital. Dir. McCarty explained that because elective procedures have been delayed, hospitals are experiencing 50-75% less volume at this point. However, hospitals and healthcare centers across Illinois continue to build out healthcare capabilities should another peak in this virus occur.
Mayor Ezard is leaning toward closing Lake Jacksonville because fishing and boating are non-essential activities. A press release will be forthcoming should that be his decision.
Ald. Warmowski talked about how the State is encouraging people and businesses to continue with their construction projects that are dependent on state and federal funding, and inquired about the status of the East State project downtown and the boat launch at Lake Mauvaisterre. Mayor Ezard advised those projects have not yet been let and feels most projects are on hold at this time. He will look further into the matter in order to provide a definitive answer.
Mayor Ezard encouraged everyone to thank those on the front lines of this pandemic who are working long and hard to keep us safe and healthy.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further discussion motion was made by Hopkins, seconded by Warmowski, to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
Alerts Sign-up