City of Macomb Committee of the Whole met Jan. 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Committee of the Whole, of the Macomb City Council, met in the City Council Chambers on Monday, January 23, 2023 at 5:22 p.m. located in City Hall at 232 East Jackson Street, Macomb, IL.
Mayor Michael Inman called the meeting to order and roll call was taken, City Clerk Renee Lotz called the roll and the following were present: Aldermen Mike Wayland, Ashley Katz, and Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards. John Vigezzi, Don Wynn, and Dennis Moon were absent. Also absent, City Attorney Lisa Scalf.
In addition to the Mayor, City Clerk and Aldermen, City Administrator Scott Coker, the following were in attendance; CDC John Bannon, DDD Kristin Terry, PW Director Alice Ohrtmann, Police Chief Jerel Jones, and Fire Chief Dan Meyer.
Mayor Inman paused for a moment of silence in honor of the passing of Harvey Provine who worked for the Public Works department.
Public Comment. None
The first item on the agenda was Quarterly Reports from City Attorney, Community Development, Downtown Development, Fire, Police, and Public Works department.
City Attorney Scalf was not present.
Community Development Coordinator John Bannon presented his report;
Revenues Billing Unit Fee total of $41,008.00 which consists of rental registration fees. Building Permit Fee total of $13,830.18.
Code Enforcement, accumulation of refuse, continue to be the most frequent enforcement category. Rental Registration program has been doing a lot of inspections, with some having a third inspection. Total for the quarter 297.
Planning & Zoning Process total 13.
Grants and Housing, Strong Communities Program in the midst of asbestos mitigation before the demolition of 11 properties, 2 may be sold, but have a deadline of February 16, 2023. Residential Façade Program, 28 projects were awarded, 7 projects have been completed. The total grant $330,00.00 with $67,832.35 of that having been paid out. Basic Needs Non-Profit Program has funded 12 organization with a total of $4,200.00 each.
The city has been awarded $500,000.00 HRAP Home Accessibility and Repair Program, from the Illinois Housing Development Authority. This will be rolled out with our Community Block Grant for $550,000.00 for housing rehabilitation.
TIF Ordinances were approved October 17, 2022. The TIF reports for Downtown and Westside Districts are being prepared, which are due 15 days after audit adopted be Council per the Comptroller’s Office. The city passed the Enterprise Zone TIF amendment to remain in compliance with the state statute.
Trainings completed were, CURES Community Project Lab, Spoon River Management, Timbuktech IT, Integrated Pest Management, and Ameren Electric Service information update.
The Initiatives, introducing the Vacant Building Registration Program to be implemented in 2023, moving forward with the Pocket Parks planning, Multi-use Paths planning, Special Census planning, and GIS collaboration with Dr. Chris Sutton’s graduate class.
CDC Bannon highlighted staffing partnerships with a small cost to the city of $4,000.00 annually, the IIRA/Peace Corps Fellows Program full-time, two graduate assistant, 10 hours per week, and WIOA two workforce, 20 to 25 hours per week employees assisting with digitization and archive sorting. He explained it was a good collaboration as it gives the young people experience in learning, while getting many things checked off the list.
Downtown Marketing and Development Director Kristin Terry presented her report;
She explained the Downtown Renovation Grant was completed last year, with the following given in the last quarter to; Downtown Renovation Grant, 20 E. Side Sq. $20,000.00, 107 S. Side Sq. $15,000.00, 100 S. Campbell $14,516.67, totaling $49,516.67. TIF is now spent.
The total reinvestment in the Downtown for 2022 was $594,6892.00. She reported significant changes in the Downtown in reinvestments in some of the buildings. She reported the occupancy rate increase of 2%, bringing it up to 98.4%. Her report has graphs with statistics for the website and social media platforms.
Kristin provided a list of events:
Moon Over Macomb, Adopt a Class, Chandler Park Lighting, Small Business Saturday, Santa Zephyr, Dickens on the Square, and Town and Gown.
She stated that Santa’s Zephyr sold out in 30 minutes even though she had to increase the cost. Dickens on the Square was amazing this year with adding Wrapped in Kindness and a Holiday story video at the Library. She thanked the RPTA Department for all their volunteers, along with other WIU departments. She thanked Dr. Jeremy Robinett, Fire Chief, Renee, John, Lisa, Alice, and MPD. She stated she could not do it without their help, when sometimes she has to be in three places at once, they all stepped up to help her and it was great to have them as a team. She thanked her Peace Corps Fellows, Delilah and Kiana who helped her get through Dickens.
She reported her trainings: City Management Training in Cyber Security, Communication/Teamwork/Collaboration, Grant Writing, and Webinar.
Miscellaneous participation in McDonough County Historic Society’s check presentation, handed out 10 New Homeowners baskets, as well as service awards for 8 employees.
Fire Chief Dan Meyer presented his report;
851 total calls for the quarter, of which 26 were fire, and 574 EMS. The breakdown of the fires consisted of cooking fires, 2 structure, with total dollar loss of $19, 100.00.
Chief Meyer added the annual report of 3207 calls for service, which was an increase of 956 calls from 2021. The department responded to 76 fires (11 structure) and 2,286 EMS calls. This was a record year. The department was also busy responding to 16 mutual aid calls in other counties.
Training and Education: Quarterly
Crews completed 1680.43 hours of training, covering a range of topics, including vehicle extraction, fire prevention, terrorism response, air evac landing, and EMS.
Probationary Firefighter Adkisson has been working with crew to complete training. He completed 6 months evaluation, EMT-B course and has received his state license.
Lieutenants’ Hotz and Strohecker completed Company Fire Officers course in November. They have 3 years to complete the Company Fire Officer Task book to become certified.
Firefighter Blake Bainter completed Fire Investigations Module and is now a Certified Fire Investigator. This makes us 4 Certified Fire Investigators.
In 2022 we implemented a new annual training plan in order to meet new OSFM recertification requirements, and to make sure we’re meeting our annual ISO training. In 2021 we completed 2125 hours of training, and in 2022 we completed 6975, an increase of 4850 hours. This was partly due to State Fire Marshal requiring recertifications for all certification categories, such as fire apparatus engineer, service vehicle operator, vehicle/machinery operations, for example.
Inspections: Quarterly
The department conducted 29 city inspections, and 4 Fraternity/Sorority inspections.
Fire Prevention month was October, visiting 16 Schools and or businesses, 5 station visits, and 4 car seat installs. During the month of October Kristin Terry really helped in assisting the department with a social media presence, with things like fire safety tips. She has been a great asset to them.
He stated the department participated in WIU Homecoming Parade, Spoon River College’s Career Expo, Macomb’s Police Shop with a Cop, and Salvation Army bell ringing. They hosted the annual Christmas Party in the department, Ladder 1 was taken to Banner Fire Equipment to have extension cylinders repaired, and they completed vehicle maintenance.
Mayor Inman stated that it was a busy year, and something to note were that the importance of meeting the State Fire Marshal requirements along with the ISO Training Certifications because that’s what homeowner’s fire insurance ratings were based upon.
Chief Meyer stated, yes, that rates us, and that determines the amount of premium charged.
Police Chief Jerel Jones presented his report;
Staffing level, 26 Sworn Officers/Authorized remains at 24, anticipating transition. There was 1 anticipated departure. Sergeant Goc was promoted to Patrol Sergeant, night shift. New Officers Zobrist, Dixon, and Herrick have graduated the SWIC Police Academy and are currently in Field Training, and Officer Lyle has been released to solo patrol. There was a lateral hire this quarter Officer Schlomer.
Events for the quarter;
Attended graduation ceremony at SWIC for the new Officer Recruits.
Attended Prairieview Community Breakfast with the Housing Authority.
Held DARE Incentive Day, and K-9 demonstration at the Jr. High School.
Attended Career Expo at Spoon River College with the 10th Grade.
Training Highlights;
Lead Homicide Investigation, Crisis Negotiations, Crisis Intervention, Field Officers, Crime Scene Photography, Acting Patrol Officer, Strategic Response, Procedure Animal Complaints, Traffic Law, Robbery/Bank Alarm calls, and Party/Music complaints.
Chief Jones reported 39 FOIA requests for the quarter.
4340 Calls for service. 437 Adult arrests. 14 Juvenile arrests. 229 Traffic arrests. 244 Non-Traffic arrests. 121 City charges. 352 State charges.
Other: 3 Theft over. 14 Theft under. 4 Burglaries. 4 Theft from auto. 12 Criminal damage. 96 Accidents. Mental Health Calls: 42 Evals. 11 Suicidal.
Taser Deployments: Zero
Notable Cases, Issues: Trial from stabbing/homicide investigation. Meth investigations (Operation Ice Palace). Suspect arrested for multiple burglaries. Burglary arrest in Macomb on W. Thomas St. 7 sentenced to Federal Prison for meth conspiracy.
He reported on activities and events attended by himself, Officers and CSO Sally Vigezzi. They participated in a cookout at Eisenhower Towers, and Q & A with some of the residents. Recruitments were held at various colleges. CSO Vigezzi conducted in home wellness visits and provided support for residents. A donation of deer meat was given to help families in need. Housing and resources were found for a homeless individual, and a couple. CSO Vigezzi participated in Stuff the Truck Diaper Drive. These were just a few of the activities. He stated there were not many departments or agencies that can say they have a division like ours. Chief Jones’ report also provided photos of some of the events. He continues to get out before the community in order to build a trust, and to make sure they know our department cares about them.
Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann presented her report:
PW Director Ohrtmann explained the lead service report due April, 2024, they are working in conjunction with the WIU GIS center, using students to conduct the surveys, and enter the data. A grant application has been made.
She reported that there has been no word from DCEO on releasing the grant fund on the Waste Water Treatment upgrades. There have been two new hires at the plant, making it full staff for the first time in three years.
She walked council through the Operations Division concerning Christmas night explaining what they go through. This was a perfect storm for them, low temps and snow over that weekend, they had 19 callouts for frozen services, and plow snow and salt all at the same time. Then they received word from the water treatment plant that there was water loss through the system, and had to increase production, due to losing water in great quantity. We were never in jeopardy of losing production, but we needed to find the break. Dispatch was notified, the officers were asked to look for signs during their patrolling. They did find a large service leak at an auxiliary building for the YMCA, but it wasn’t the one we were looking for. People were pulled from salting/plowing to look for the big leak. Finally, Ops Manager Brad Whitford began to look in remote locations and found it in a culvert on West Grant where the water was discharging into the creek. We were able to isolate it, and we had no one without water.
The water plant was catching up on production but you could tell there were still small leaks going on, so it took until Monday or Tuesday to get the water tanks full. The graph in the report shows the huge jump in production for December, and it is not typical. She stated it takes cooperation between all departments to keep things running smoothly.
She stated as far as construction projects go, they did not have anything at the moment, but there were several that still have punch list items such as landscaping on Dudley in the spring. South Johnson, we’re still waiting on bid letting, which we need some easements still, by Wednesday.
Mayor Inman commented that everyone is keeping very busy, and they were all working together, and he thanked them all.
The second item on the agenda for discussion was on an ordinance to authorize the rezoning of 815 Stadium Drive in the City of Macomb, McDonough County, from R-2 Single Family Residential to R-4 Multiple Family. This ordinance had first read last Tuesday night. There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated it would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at Monday, February 6, 2023 meeting.
The third item on the agenda for discussion was on an ordinance to authorize the rezoning of 740 and 802 Stadium Drive in the City of Macomb, McDonough County, from R-2 Single Family Residential to R-4 Multiple Family. This ordinance had first read last Tuesday night.
CDC John Bannon explained all three ordinances came through the Planning Commission unanimously in favor of. He explained that R-4 made most sense because of current use, and it has been for decades.
There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated it would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at Monday, February 6, 2023 meeting.
The fourth item on the agenda for discussion was on an ordinance to authorize the rezoning of 807 Stadium Drive in the City of Macomb, McDonough County, from R-2 Single Family Residential to R-4 Multiple Family. This ordinance had first read last Tuesday night. There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated it would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at Monday, February 6, 2023 meeting.
The fifth item on the agenda for discussion was on an ordinance to authorize the sale of certain property (equipment and vehicles) owned by the City of Macomb. This ordinance had first read last Tuesday night. There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated it would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at Monday, February 6, 2023 meeting.
Upon a motion being duly made by Alderman Katz, seconded by Alderman Wayland to adjourn into executive session to consider information relative to: Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, pursuant to Sec. 2 (c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act., upon question being put, Aldermen Wayland, Koch, Katz, and Brown-Edwards, voting “Aye” on roll call and no “Nay” votes, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they adjourned into executive session at 5:55 p.m.
Alderman Wayland moved, seconded by Alderman Koch to move back into open session, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice vote, and no “Nay” votes, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they moved back into open session at 5:17 p.m.
There was no further business.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Alderman Wayland moved, seconded by Alderman Katz to adjourn the meeting, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice vote, and no “Nay” votes, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they adjourned the meeting at 5:17 p.m.
https://cityofmacomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/01-23-2023.pdf
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