City of Rushville City Council met May 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. ROLL CALL & CALL TO ORDER
The Rushville City Council met in the meeting room of the City Hall building. Upon convening, Mayor Carson Klitz directed City Clerk, Stacey Briney to call the roll. Upon ROLL CALL, the following answered present: Council Members: Susan Acker, Richard Davis, Terry Dodds, Jeff Ervin, Barry Rebman, and Mike Ryan. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Council Members, Bob Lambert and Paul Trimble were absent.
Others present included: Stacey Briney, City Clerk; City Attorney, Charlie Burton; Nathan Campbell, Superintendent of Operations; Rick Wright, Chief of Police; Alan Icenogle of The Rushville Times; Schuyler Isley, representing Schuyler County Economic Development Commission (SCEDC); Chet Esther, Schuyler County Board President; Morgan Peacock, representing the P.L.A.Y. Group; and Scripps Park Board Members, Wendy Stevens & Amanda Higgins.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Carson Klitz.
3. DISCUSS & CONSIDER RESERVING CENTRAL PARK & CLOSING THE INSIDE LANES OF THE SQUARE FOR P.L.A.Y. GROUP’S SUMMERFEST
Morgan Peacock, representing the P.L.A.Y. Group, reported they would like to request the use of Central Park on Saturday, August 6th for Summerfest, formally Cornfest, and block off the inner road on the north, south, and east side of the square.
Ervin MOVED TO APPROVE RESERVING CENTRAL PARK ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 6TH, AND CLOSING THE INSIDE LANES ON THE NORTH, SOUTH, AND EAST SIDE OF THE SQUARE OF P.L.A.Y. GROUP’S SUMMERFEST. Rebman SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Acker, Davis, Dodds, Ervin, Rebman, & Ryan; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Lambert & Trimble.
Morgan Peacock left the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chet Esther, Schuyler County Board President, presented a document outlining the county’s public safety tax. Said document is attached and a part of these minutes. Esther reported the county is looking to raise money for the ambulance and sheriff’s department so they are placing a public safety tax item on the June 28th ballot and he is here to ask for the city’s support on this. Esther stated this tax would take effect January 2023. Esther said the sales tax increase can only be made in one-quarter percent (1/4%) increments so the county is asking for a one percent (1%) increase. Esther noted the county can always decrease the sales tax if they want without having to put it on the ballot, but they cannot raise it.
Esther stated that he calls this sales tax increase a restaurant tax because it will not be on groceries, medicines, , soft drinks, etc. but more on prepared foods. Esther noted forty-six (46) Illinois counties have already done this and Schuyler County is really close to the lowest sales tax rate. Esther reported he is hoping to raise approximately Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000). Esther said this should mirror what the school did bout a year ago. A discussion followed regarding the shortfall with the ambulance. City Clerk, Stacey Briney was directed to place Discuss & Consider Supporting Schuyler County’s Sales Tax Increase on the next council agenda.
Chet Esther left the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
All items on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council Member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the Consent Agenda.
a) Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting May 2, 2022
b) Approve the Minutes of the Grievance & Personnel Committee Meeting held April 27, 2022; & Combined Water & Sewer Committee Meeting held May 10, 2022
c) Approve “Claims for Council Approval Dated 05/16/22” & Accept Monthly Reports
d) Approve Hiring Shon Vaughn for Part-Time Cemetery
e) Approve Purchasing a Point-of-Sale System for the Swimming Pool at a Cost not to Exceed $1,500
Dodds MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Ervin SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Davis, Dodds, Ervin, Rebman, Ryan, & Acker; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Lambert & Trimble.
6. ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – IF APPLICABLE
All items were approved on the Consent Agenda.
7. DISCUSS & CONSIDER HIRING JANITOR FOR CITY HALL
Public Buildings Committee Member, Terry Dodds reported he asked to have this item placed on the agenda because he feels the city needs someone strictly available to take care of the custodial duties here in City Hall. Mayor Klitz asked what the wage would be, and Clerk Briney said the city paid Sixteen Dollars and Fifty Cents ($16.50) per hour for the janitor in the old City Hall because we could not find anyone to do it for less money. Mayor Klitz recommended getting with the Grievance & Personnel Committee to come up with something and bring it back to the council. No action was taken at this time.
8. DISCUSS & CONSIDER RENEWAL OF THE POST OFFICE BOX
Council Member, Jeff Ervin reported the city pays to rent a post office box and there is not much, if anything, in it. Ervin said he does not feel there is any reason to have it. Clerk Briney stated most everything is direct deposited now. Council Member, Susan Acker asked if there was an issue at one time about something not getting to City Hall fast enough, and Clerk Briney noted there was a dormant notice for a savings account that was given to City Hall at the same time of the charge for the dormant account, which was about a month difference.
Ervin MOVED TO DO AWAY WITH THE CITY’S POST OFFICE BOX. Rebman SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Dodds, Ervin, Rebman, Ryan, Acker, & Davis; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Lambert & Trimble.
9. DISCUSS & CONSIDER 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1348, AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR THE CITY OF RUSHVILLE
Acker MOVED TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 1348, AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR THE CITY OF RUSHVILLE TO THE SECOND (2ND) READING. Dodds SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Ervin, Rebman, Ryan, Acker, Davis, & Dodds; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Lambert & Trimble.
10. DISCUSS & CONSIDER HIRING TELESCAN, INC. TO CAMERA SEWERS
Water & Sewer Committee Chairman, Ervin reported the committee had met and recommend hiring TeleScan, Inc. to camera the sewers at Town Branch, Roger’s Bakery, & Wilson Street from the elevator to IDOT. Ervin stated the cost would be Four Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($4,600). Ervin noted by doing this, it should satisfy EPA that we are working on things when it comes to the CMOM application.
Ervin MOVED TO HIRE TELESCAN, INC. TO CAMERA THE SEWERS AT TOWN BRANCH, ROGER’S BAKERY, & WILSON STREET FROM THE ELEVATOR TO IDOT AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS ($4,600). Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Rebman, Ryan, Acker, Davis, Dodds, & Ervin; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Lambert & Trimble.
11. DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPROVING ESTIMATE OF MAINTENANCE COST FOR MFT SUPPLEMENTAL
Superintendent of Operations, Nathan Campbell reported the MFT supplemental is something that the city does every year for the oil & chip. Campbell stated he added Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for curb and guttering, Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for sidewalks, and Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for tree removal. Campbell said the city would be able to do one thousand feet (1,000’) of sidewalks and remove some of the trees that have cause the sidewalks to heave.
Campbell also reported that he started a reimbursement program this year to allow the city to purchase vehicles and/or equipment. Campbell stated MFT funds cannot be used to purchase those items, but the hours can be logged of all the equipment used and then at the end of the year, the funds can be moved to another account to purchase vehicles or equipment. Dodds asked if the sidewalks would be done the city crew, and Campbell said they would.
Ryan MOVED TO PASS THE ESTIMATE OF MAINTENANCE COST FOR MFT SUPPLEMENTAL IN THE AMOUNT OF NINETY-THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN DOLLARS AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS ($93,767.25). Davis SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Ryan, Acker, Davis, Dodds, Ervin, & Rebman; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Lambert & Trimble.
12. DISCUSS & CONSIDER BUILDING SALT SHED
Campbell reported the roof is falling in on the salt shed and is not in very good all-around shape. Campbell stated he got some price of Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($16,000) for a structure from B & B Livestock for a new shed. Campbell said there would be new lumber, lime, and miscellaneous hardware as well but he thinks the city crew could build it themselves for about Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) total.
Campbell noted this shed would give the city two hundred fifty ton (250T) of storage. Campbell said, right now, he buys one hundred sixty-five ton (165T) of salt but with the new shed, he could purchase the salt in bulk from the state and save money in the long run. Campbell stated this would allow MFT funds to be used for other projects. Campbell said they would move the new shed to make it more accessible for the semi drivers and the city crew. Campbell stressed that the building has a good warranty on it as well.
Ryan MOVED TO APPROVE PURCHASING AND BUILDING A NEW SALT SHED. Dodds SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Acker, Davis, Dodds, Ervin, Rebman, & Ryan; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Lambert & Trimble.
13. COUNCIL MEMBER & OFFICIALS’ REPORTS
Council Member, Susan Acker asked City Attorney, Charlie Burton if he has heard anything further from the state regarding the intersection of West LaFayette Street and Route 67. Attorney Burton said he has not and they are about six (6) months out on another thing he has in to them.
Acker questioned if there was anymore head way on the East LaFayette Street property with the equipment list, etc., and Attorney Burton noted he has the preliminary work done but no notice has been sent yet.
Parks & Recreation Committee, Barry Rebman reported that Scripps Park Board President, Gary Holmes said there is a berm on the northeast side of the park that they would like removed. Rebman stated it really needs taken out and cleaned up. Consensus of the council was to have the city crew remove the berm from the park.
Council Member, Jeff Ervin reported some people have inquired about setting up tables in Central Park during city-wide yard sale date. Ervin said he does not have any problems with it as long as there is no trash left, no stakes in the ground, and everything that is left get taken back with the person. Consensus was to allow people to set up in Central Park for city-wide yard sales.
Ervin also reported that Myles Ackman has applied to water the flowers on the square. Ervin noted Ackman will be a senior in high school next year. Ervin stressed that no one has applied for this position. Consensus of the council was to hire Myles Ackman to water around the square.
Ervin asked if the city was going to look into hiring summer help this year for sidewalks and other projects. Mayor Klitz said he thinks the city could do like past practice and hire a crew for sidewalks. Mayor Klitz stated, the first year he was elected, the union filed a grievance on him because work was being done by non-union workers. Consensus of the council was to advertise for summer help for city maintenance. Acker asked how many employees would Campbell like, and Campbell said three (3) and maybe four (4) would be nice. Council Member, Richard Davis asked if they would make Fifteen Dollars and Fifty Cents ($15.50) per house, and Clerk Briney said they would get paid Twelve Dollars ($12) an hour just like all the other part-time employees.
RUSHVILLE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES, CONT. May 16, 2022
Mayor, Carson Klitz reported he has a habit of going through the park and looking at the golf course particularly. Mayor Klitz stressed that the greens are in terrible shape and in his opinion, #18 green is dead. Mayor Klitz stated, if #18 green is dead, he will meet the greenskeeper for the first time since he was hired to fire him. Mayor Klitz said if we lose a green, we are in super big trouble. Dodds asked if the condition of the greens was from laziness of not watering, and Mayor Klitz noted he would just give an example of what he has been told. Mayor Klitz said the greenskeeper is too big to fit in the sprayer so he was asked if they could take the cab off of the brand new, Forty Thousand Dollar ($40,000) sprayer. Mayor Klitz noted he informed them that was not going to happen so they took the doors off instead. Mayor Klitz reported that only one (1) water leak has been fixed and he has not cooled the greens at all because he could not water due to the fact that the water system has not even been charged. Mayor Klitz stressed that the golf course has got big problems.
Mayor Klitz stated the golf course has got to bring in people from out of town because there is not enough in town people to keep it open but if we continue to have these kinds of problems, we will not have anyone come. Dodds asked what the Scripps Park Board was going to do about this, and Mayor Klitz said that time will tell.
14. ADJOURN
Dodds MOVED TO ADJOURN. Acker SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Davis, Dodds, Ervin, Rebman, Ryan, & Acker; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Lambert & Trimble. THE MEETING STOOD ADJOURNED ACCORDINGLY AT 7:36 P.M.
https://www.rushvilleillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/22-05-16-Minutes.pdf
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