City of Macomb Committee of the Whole met April 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Committee of the Whole, of the Macomb City Council, met in the City Council Chambers at 5:15 p.m. located in City Hall at 232 East Jackson Street, Macomb, IL.
Mayor Pro-Tem Dennis Moon called the meeting to order.
Roll call was taken and the following were present: Aldermen Mike Wayland, John Vigezzi, Don Wynn, Tom Koch, Ashley Katz, and Dennis Moon.
In addition to the Mayor Pro-Tem, Deputy City Clerk Renee Lotz and Aldermen, City Attorney Lisa Scalf, City Administrator Scott Coker, Community Development Coordinator John Bannon and Downtown Development Director Kristin Terry were present. Mayor Inman and Alderman Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards were absent.
Public Comment. None
The first item on the agenda for discussion was on the proposed projects for the American Rescue Plan Act. (ARPA)
CA Coker explained the “Final Rule” effective April 1, 2022, concerning the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. (ARPA) funds deliver $350 billion for state, local, territorial and tribal governments to respond to COVID-19 emergency and lead a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery. The City of Macomb is a non-entitlement unit of Government.
Specifically, the key objectives are:
Fight the pandemic and support families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impacts. Maintain vital public services, even amid declines in revenue resulting from the crisis.
Build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity.
The “finale rule” changed how we can use the funds, especially those with an allotment under $10million which allows us to elect the “Standard Allowance”. The city will need to make a one-time irrevocable selection of the standard allowance. General Government Committee has recommended the Council proceed with that selection. Committee also reviewed the provided list of proposed projects to utilize the ARPA funds and recommended approval by Council. Once the overall list is approved by Council, staff will prepare each project and bring to the respective committees for discussion. The city has been registered on the Treasury portal and reporting will start at the end of April. He stated the city has received the first half, second half coming this summer.
Total ARPA funds $2,369,642.02
Employee bonus/hazard pay $390,000 this amount adjusted. A net $2500 for full-time, $250 for regular part-time.
Residential Façade grant $350,000
Thorpe/Piper pocket parks $60,000
Local non-profits grant $50,000
Small business competition $25,000
Public Works projects $1,494,642.02
CDC Bannon explained the Residential Façade grant. He stated details were yet coming from committee. General purpose would be for renovation of the exterior of homes in city limits, owner occupied, visible from public right of way; providing a grant up to $10,000 through reimbursement, primarily for the owner to make improvements. This would be limited to homeowners and of an income restriction component, 200% of Average Median Income, which is about $90,000.
Inclusions; painting, structure stabilization, roofing, landscaping, repairing porches and siding. Things that would not only improve the home but add to the atheistic and safety of the neighborhood.
Alderman Vigezzi asked what type of funding were they looking for, a match?
CDC Bannon stated he would be in favor of a match, but a small one. Maybe 75/25. This is reimbursement and even with a letter of guarantee from the city, to a potential contractor, it will be a challenge for some people to come up with $10,000.
Alderman Moon asked if we were to impose a match, could it be changed later?
CDC Bannon stated it was a local program with local control so, yes, we could change it.
CA Coker explained that the owner wouldn’t even have to front the money, somehow, we would work with them if they needed a guarantee on the back end. If contractors needed payment upfront, we would help.
CDC Bannon stated all appropriate permits would need to be pulled, and appropriate inspections. Alderman Vigezzi stated it would be a great way to improve neighborhoods.
CA Coker explained the Pocket Parks. He stated funding would be used for fencing and concrete sidewalks.
Mr. Carl Thorpe thanked the city for their contributions. He stated this park will enhance the neighborhood. He stated this has been a vision that he has had, he couldn’t say it, but he can do it. He honored his Uncle Bill Thorpe, the first Black Police Officer of Macomb in 1962, he’s due the servitude and dedication.
He stated, what was the measure of a man? Bill Thorpe was the measure of a man. He stated that God spoke to him and said; “love is not what you say, but what you do”. That was when he decided to do a dedication to him, William Thorpe Park. This will be a legacy, something that will be here after even he is gone.
CDC Bannon explained the Local non-profit grant. He stated the goal here would be to reimburse non-profits for expenses incurred during the pandemic to provide services to the residents in Macomb. This would be under $5,000, limited to organization that are not national, with strict eligibility requirements.
DDD Kristin Terry explained the Small Business Competition. She stated this was a program she introduced four years ago. Her plan was to do another but the pandemic hit, now, it’s time to bring it back. The goal of the competition is to entice entrepreneur’s and business to Macomb. It’s called the Downtown Retail Competition, but they do not have to open a store in the downtown. She tries to solicit for places that are vacant, as well as other incentives in the package. She’s thankful for the $25,000 from the city towards the cash prize for more than one business to win.
She stated that three new businesses came from the first competition and they’re still in business today. It did work, it still works and she’s looking forward to the next one.
CA Coker commented that there wasn’t seed money with the first competition, it was all done through fund raising and gifts in kind.
Alderman Moon asked if the costs for the event would come out of that, he didn’t want to give the impression that someone was going to win $25,000.
DDD Terry stated yes, we will have to market it, but the majority of it would go towards the prize of cash. She stated possibly $1,000 in costs.
CA Coker explained the Public Works Projects list. He stated PW Director Alice Ohrtmann has a list of street projects for mill and overlay, and preservation process, micro surfacing street projects. He wants to leave details to Public Works Committee, where and what streets/processes.
There was no other business.
Alderman Vigezzi moved, seconded by Alderman Katz to adjourn into executive session to consider information relative to; b). Collective Bargaining matters between the public body and its employees or representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees, pursuant to Sec. 2(c)(2) of the Open Meetings Act., on question being put, Aldermen Wayland, Vigezzi, Wynn, Koch, Katz and Moon being all Aldermen voting “Aye” on roll call and no “Nay” votes, Mayor Pro-Tem Moon declared the motion carried and they adjourned into executive session at 5:34 p.m.
Alderman Vigezzi moved, seconded by Alderman Katz to move back into open session, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice, Mayor Pro-Tem Moon declared the motion carried and they moved back in open session at 5:54 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Alderman Vigezzi moved, seconded by Alderman Wayland to adjourn the meeting, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice vote, and no “Nay” votes, Mayor Pro-Tem declared the motion carried and they adjourned the meeting at 5:54 p.m.
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