City of Macomb Committee of the Whole met March 27.
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, March 27, 2023 at 5:15 p.m. located in City Hall at 232 East Jackson Street, Macomb, IL.
Mayor Inman called for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tragic events that took place over the weekend.
Mayor Inman called the meeting order and roll call was taken, Deputy Clerk Jennifer Cerven called the roll and the following were present: Aldermen Mike Wayland, John Vigezzi, Don Wynn, Tom Koch, Ashley Katz, Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards, and Dennis Moon.
In addition to the Mayor, Deputy Clerk, and Aldermen, City Attorney Lisa Scalf, City Administrator Scott Coker, Business Office Director Melissa Worley, Building and Zoning Coordinator John Bannon, and Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann were in attendance.
Public Comment. None
The first item on the agenda for discussion was a Power Point Presentation, an introduction-briefing, from the Illinois Office of Broadband. Presented by Robbie McBeath and Adrienne Picket, Visiting Coordinators.
Mr. McBeath of Illinois Broadband Lab stated the program was a forward-thinking initiative to call, Rebuild Illinois to include broadband in 2019, at the time, it was the largest broadband infrastructure matching program. He stated in 2020 that changed due to the lack of internet in homes, and schools. Due to that, the larger United States invested heavily in broadband infrastructure through a variety of programs.
Mr. McBeath stated Illinois received close to $1 billion, and was looking to see how that money would be distributed in a fair way to build networks that already exist. He named three federal funding programs that came from the infrastructure laws, and were the priority for Illinois.
*The Broadband Equity and Access Deployment (BEAD), allocates $42.45 billion focused on broadband infrastructure deployment to all states.
*The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), allocates $14.2 billion in funding to subsidize broadband service, and connect devices to low-income households across the country.
*The Digital Equity Program (DE), allocates $2 billion to states, for digital inclusion programs.
Mr. McBeath explained Connect Illinois was a separate program the state had already allocated money for the matching grants. BEAD will ultimately serve as round 4, and currently in round 3, for Connect Illinois matching grant program. He stated the two programs that would have the biggest impact on the State, would be BEAD, and DE. BEAD would go towards the infrastructure, and DE provides affordable internet, with cost being the biggest bearer.
Mr. McBeath stated next year’s plan, the state of Illinois will submit a BEAD action plan, as well as a Digital Equity plan to the Department of Commerce for review, the data informs how the funds would be distributed. He stated funds would be released in 2025. Currently, Illinois Broadband are visiting all economic regions across the State to help inform of the plans going forward. May 3, 2023 is scheduled for West Central Region, this would be hosted here at City Hall Community Room from 12:00-1:00 p.m. for listening sessions and 6:00-7:00 p.m. for Government listening sessions.
Alderman Vigezzi asked if fiber optic would be incorporated in the program.
Mr. McBeath stated there were challenges at choosing the right technology, but Connect Illinois Program would possibly award higher points if the applicant applying for the infrastructure dollars could promise certain speeds.
There was no further discussion.
The second item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Personal Property (Equipment/Vehicles) owned by the City of Macomb. This ordinance had first read last Monday night.
Mayor Inman stated an additional list of items was provided to council, in addition to the prior list at first reading.
There was no further discussion, and he stated the item would be placed on the agenda for second reading, and final action at Monday night council meeting.
The third item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance to Create a Class P plus SS plus OPC Liquor License for Nilkanth Liquor, Inc. This ordinance had first read last Monday night.
Mayor Inman stated the Petioner was present, and the City Attorney had provided information regarding the current status of the liquor license holder as it relates to both State and City violations.
City Attorney Scalf reported on the findings from Illinois State police. She stated violations found in 2019 resulted in no citations or tickets. Items listed from July, and August of 2020 did result in city ordinance violation tickets. She stated those were paid over the counter, and two of those were by the current resident manager which is the applicant for the new liquor license, and one was an employee of the entity at the time. As a result of those, and other investigatory matters, in August of 2020 they did proceed with an official citation proceeding as it relates to the liquor license for the current liquor license holder. She stated the current liquor license holder is connected to the current applicant for the new license, and he is the resident manager. Before the public hearing, they did ultimately agree to a 5-day suspension of their license. She reported since that time, there have been no violations.
Alderman Brown-Edwards asked for clarification concerning the current liquor license.
City Attorney Scalf explained when an owner does not reside locally, they have to designate a resident manager that lives within 5 miles of the city.
Alderman Moon asked if this was a new corporation.
City Attorney Scalf stated she did not have that information, and would have an answer before next week. Mayor Inman asked Mr. Patel would he have a response for that question.
Mr. Patel stated for the new corporation, he is only the president.
Alderman Moon asked Mr. Patel if he was involved with the corporation that presently runs the liquor store. Mr. Patel stated he is the manager, but was not an owner of the corporation or property.
Alderman Vigezzi asked Mr. Patel if there was a plan in place to help alleviate the sale of alcohol to under age minors.
Mr. Patel stated they check all ID’s, and any employee that would cause a violation would be terminated.
There was no further discussion, and Mayor Inman stated the item would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at Monday night council.
The fourth item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance to Authorize the Rezoning of a portion of Maple Ridge Addition to the City of Macomb, McDonough County, from R-1 Single Family to AG-1 Agriculture. This ordinance had first read last Monday night.
CDC John Bannon stated the parcel was vacant, and the Planning Commission met on February 8, 2023, voting 6- 0 to rezone the parcel to AG-1 Agriculture. He stated a later item on the agenda for a land use agreement connected to this, and the applicant’s plan was to farm it. This was originally envisioned as part of the Scotch Pine development, but it was never developed. He stated Mr. Butcher and Mrs. Epperson were present for any questions.
City Attorney Scalf stated the current owner and applicant was David Linde, and the intention was that Mr. Linde would sell to the Butcher’s.
Alderman Vigezzi asked if there was infrastructure done to the property, meaning, water lines, or power that could potentially impact it being used for agriculture.
CDC John Bannon stated there was water and sewer infrastructure, as well as electrical. The property was planned with the dedication of right-of-way, and the land use agreement would pertain to Mr. Butcher agreeing to the use, of the right-of -way, but the city retaining the ownership of the right-of-way. he stated there were limited infrastructure, but would be able to farm without negativity impairing them.
Alderman Brown-Edwards asked if there were alternative roadways to get to the property for large machinery. CDC John Bannon stated the applicant currently farms a parcel to the east, which has access on Scotch Pine.
There was no further discussion, and Mayor Inman stated the item would be placed on agenda for final action and second reading at Monday night council.
The fifth item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance Approving and Causing Publication for the Official Zoning Map of City of Macomb, Illinois. This ordinance had first read last Monday night. Committee has Power to Act. Final action is in order.
City Attorney Scalf presented the ordinance for second reading:
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND CAUSING A PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL ZONNING MAP OF THE CITY OF MACOMB, ILLINOIS
Alderman Moon moved, seconded by Alderman Vigezzi, to approve the ordinance Approving and Causing a Publication of the Official Zoning Map of the City of Macomb, Illinois, on question being put Aldermen Wayland, Vigezzi, Wynn, Koch, Katz, Brown-Edwards, and Moon being all Aldermen voting “Aye” on roll call, and no “Nay” votes on roll call, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and the ordinance was approved and became Ordinance No. 23-16.
The sixth item on the agenda for discussion was on a “Land Use Agreement” between the City of Macomb and Larry and Anne Butcher.
City Attorney Scalf stated she prepared a proposed land use agreement that would permit farming on the city right of-way, upon recording and acceptance of that plat, the city does own the right-of-way, the dedicated roadway in fee simple, we do need to grant permission for any use outside of the city. She’s recommending that council approve this, we have termination provisions within, that will allow to terminate upon 90 days’ notice. The Butchers would be permitted to recover any crops that they may have planted, and if at any time the area is developed in accordance with that plat, we retain all rights and easements that were currently in the plat.
Alderman Moon asked for clarification on a manhole being on the property.
City Attorney Scalf stated correct, and a fire hydrant as well. She stated provisions have been added to the agreement of a structure being put in place of where those are located.
Alderman Moon asked if we have to access anything on the property will that interrupt the crops.
Mr. Butcher explained there would not be a problem identifying them, and he would be able to farm around those areas.
City Attorney Scalf explained if there was a need for repair work or excavation, we have the ability to go in and fix correctly.
There was no further discussion, and Mayor Inman stated the item would be placed on agenda for final action at Monday night council.
The seventh item on the agenda for discussion was an Ordinance to Amend the City Fee Schedule by Amending Chapter 24 of the Municipal Code of Macomb.
City Attorney Scalf reported on the increases and changes.
Sec 24-1- Solid waste collection: increasing to $22.50 per month.
Sec 24-2- Septic dumping: increasing from .5 cents to .10 cents per gallon
Sec 24-3- No changes will be made to the water deposit fee
Sec 24-4- Cemetery and lot fees: all services increasing $25.00
Sec 24-7- Development fees: increase subdivision to $25.00 plus 3.5% of estimated cost of any public improvement in the subdivision to compensate the city for all inspection/engineering expenses associated therewith. Site plan increased to 50% of actual cost of outside engineering review costs, to be no less than $250.00 and no greater than $1,000.00.
Sec 24-9- Street Excavation increased to $150.00. Public right-of-way permit fees increased to $75.00. Temporary street closure increased to $50.00
Sec 25-1- A prosed first mowing and hourly increase to $150.00, second mowing increased to $200.00. Alderman Brown-Edwards stated concerns of the charges being difficult for the elderly to cover. City Attorney Scalf explained these charges were primarily for vacant properties.
There was no further discussion, and Mayor Inman stated the item would be placed on agenda for first reading at Monday night council.
The eighth item on the agenda for discussion was on Budget Workshop for FY2023-2024 Beginning May 1, 2023 and ending April 30, 2024. A copy of the budget was given to Aldermen for review prior to the meeting.
City Administrator Coker reviewed the highlights of the budget. He explained the Table of Contents offers the Hyperlinks in blue, to the pages referenced. He stated there were a lot of things that have happened over the year, and more to come in the new fiscal year. He stated the ability to do much was due to a large surplus at this time. The estimated cash balance at the end of next fiscal year is $5.6 million dollars. He stated each year the goal is to have approximately $5 million in the general fund reserve. The balance has been, $7 million, and with that being spent down, there would be around $1.2 million in one-time spending. These items would not be reoccurring expenses.
He stated there was also in the budget a list of grants by departments, totaling over $24 million. A result of hard work from city staff. These take time and hard work, from application to completion. The budget also contains a 3% COLA raise for employees, that mirrors the negotiated contracts.
The Downtown Revitalization is complete, and the Downtown TIF has expired. The Eastside TIF has been established. The self-managed health fund is doing very well, projected ending balance $1.7 million. The investment policy on that fund was changed, allowing some to be invested in a money market account, along with layered CD’s that will draw income.
Police/Fire Pensions would consist of $2.2 million of this fiscal year budget. The transition to the Downstate Combined Pension Fund is now complete. IMRF Pension would consist of $153,000.00 of this fiscal year budget. Both of those funds come from out city property taxes.
CA Coker referred to Revenue Chart on page 7, showing the fiscal year’s revenues from each fund, from FY16-17 through projected FY23-24. He pointed out revenues that have trended downward, Telecommunications, was mostly isolated, as most the others have trended upward. He stated that the city continues to budget conservatively. He reviewed page 8, Transit Department transition has essentially been completed. The Transit now has 40 employees, the budget is doing very well.
He stated overall the city was in very good condition, however, the census continues to be a concern for the city. He stated CDC Bannon was working with the Census Bureau to do a Special Census. There has been money budgeted to pay for that.
He reviewed the Budget Revenue Chart; on page 10 that Business Office Director Worley had prepared. The chart shows all revenue sources percentages. The Expenditures Chart on page 11 shows that breakdown in percentages as well. The Property Tax Distribution Chart; on page 12 shows the percentages of funds that the monies are distributed to.
He reviewed the Cash Summary page 13, which lists all funds within the General Corporate Fund with revenue/expenses from 2020 through projected 2024. He pointed out the increase in 2022 due to COVID related funds received, ($8.3 million), revenue. Projections for revenue ending FY23 is $8.0 and FY 2024, $5.5 million. He stated expenditures were $12 to $13 million.
He pointed out a code change in line items for FICA and IMRF have been broken out by departments in the budget where they are incurred. He noted part-time salaries had increased in the general corporation fund, as the city is managing the pool directly, ($70,000.00).
He pointed out the balance of the following:
General Corporate
Residential ARPA fund ($243,000.00).
Pierce Street Storage Building ($20,000.00).
Spring Lake Management ($115,000.00).
Special Census ($300,000.00).
City Council
Travel/Training/Education ($10,000.00).
Business Office
Travel/Training/Education ($15,000.00).
Professional Fees ($60,000.00).
Cemetery
Chandler Park Master Plan ($50,000.00).
Capital Equipment ($41,000.00). Truck
New line items to Cemetery:
Park Improvements/Park Misc./Park Electrical have been added. CA Coker has placed Park Improvement budget items for $2,500.00 to repair monument lights, $10,000.00 portable toilets, and $30,000.00 for collaboration of bike paths.
City Clerk
Travel/Training/Education ($3,000.00).
Computer Support ($3,000.00).
Fire Department
Computer Support (15,376.00). New software.
Capital Improvements line item for improving the Macomb Station 1, built in 1976. This would include new roof, HVAC units, front approach concrete, that was approved for FY22-23 but were not complete in that year. The total for these ($375,000.00). Also included, replacement of ceiling in bunk room, ($5,000.00) and improvements to the kitchen and day room ($50,000.00).
Mayor’s Office
Travel/Training/Education: The Mayor will be traveling to Japan to focus on retention of NTN Bower. ($14,500.00).
Police Department
Capital Improvement ($86,000.00) The impound gate repairs, and A/C Units for the station. Drug Asset-($25,000.00) Intra Fund Transfer Out. This is for E-Citation Software
Police Protection Tax ($60,000.00).
Personal Property Replacement Tax ($49,680.00). Vehicles are paid out of these tax funds. Gift Fund This is a new fund, which means it has no history. We will begin to track these funds. Funds have come in towards the K-9 Unit, ($20,000.00) has been tagged for an additional K-9.
Community Development
Travel/Training/Education ($11,500.00).
Capital Equipment ($55,000.00). 2-New Vehicles
East Side TIF ($0) New Downtown TIF ($0) CLOSED
West Side TIF ($55,000.00) comes from this fund transferred to the Downtown Marketing to cover salary. Downtown Renovation Grant ($0) CLOSED
Marketing Downtown
Travel/Training/Education ($3,000.00). New Director soon.
Sculpting Downtown ($10,000.00) All Raised Funds
CDAP ($200,000.00) Strong Communities Grant Demolition of houses.
Infrastructure Sales Tax Fund-PROJECTS:
Projecting $2 million. Each year we transfer $50,000.00 out of this to Storm Sewer Projects, once a good balance is accumulated, storm sewer projects are funded. The recommendation is to increase to $100,000.00 each year.
Special Operations #729
Burlington Road Bridge Design ($100,000.00)
Western Ave. Concrete ($50,000.00)
Roadway Improvements ($1,050,000.00)
Johnson Street Project will be bid out in June.
STU Funds ($2.9) million
CA Coker stated the last bond payment for the most prior infrastructure loan would be paid out in 2027.
Garbage Fund: Contracts, Recycle, Yard Waste
These funds trend upward each year Waste Management Contracts. Each year this fund has a small remaining balance. Yard waste operations and street sweeper repairs are paid from this Garbage Fund as well.
Operations Fund
Capital Equipment ($250,000.00). 2-Ton Truck
Capital Improvements ($300,000.00) Salt Shed
2-Additional Operation-1 positions have been budgeted.
Water Fund
Capital Equipment ($20,000.00) 6” Portable Pump, ($25,000.00) Distr.Valve Turning Machine, ($100,000.00) RO Membrane, ($100,000.00) Carbon Filters
Chemicals ($486,000.00)
PW Director Ohrtmann explained the Valve Turning Program must be done annually, and hydrant unilateral flushing of the water system. Contracting this out versus hiring 2 additional personnel, it’s less to hire, and is more beneficial.
Water Bond & Interest
We’re starting to save money in preparation of the new water plant. Balance ($390,049.00) IEPA RO Loan L17 Principal ($131,060.00). This will be paid out this fiscal year.
Storm Sewer Fund
Transfers In ($100,000.00) as mentioned earlier. Storm sewer lining projects.
Capital Improvements ($300,000.00) Burgess Lift Station, ($190,000.00) U-Drive Lift Station SCADA By-Pass, ($110,000.00) Spring Lake Lift Station #1 Rehab, ($135,000.00) LaMoine Lift Station, ($100,000.00) Repairs to south shed at plant.
Equipment ($80,000.00) Lift Truck
Special WW Project Fund ($2) million Phase II Plant Improvements
City Hall Maintenance
Capital Improvement ($40,000.00) Tuckpointing, Business Office Addition ($15,000.00) Capital Equipment (($10,000.00) Chairs, Panic Buttons ($5,000.00)
IT Fund
Capital Equipment ($50,000.00) phone system, ($20,000.00) Data Management, ($16,000.00) E-Mail Server CLOUD
MCPT Transit Summary
$4 million in Capital Projects through Rebuild Illinois. $1 million update IT hardware/software, install bus pads, install solar panels at facility.
HCPT Transit Summary
3-Drivers charge to HCPT for management fee 20%. Payroll/benefits $213,515.00. $68,000.00 supplies/equipment
Paid from State and Federal operating assistance grants.
Housing Rehabilitation Grant ($550,000.00)
Health Insurance ($1.7) million
Grants Received by Departments:
Fire $2500.00
Police $6294.00
Community Development $1,250,000.00
MCPT $11,287,752.00
Public Works $11,640,000.00
He stated within the budget are authorized staffing charts, salary matrix, and outstanding bonds and loans, this was an added item to the budget information. He stated he also plans to conduct a salary survey; this had been budgeted for ($30,000.00).
He stated the first reading for the budget ordinance will be April 3, 2023, Public Hearing on April 10, 2023 at Committee of the Whole, and second reading and final approval of ordinance April 17, 2023 Council.
There was no further business.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Alderman Vigezzi moved, seconded by Alderman Wynn 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 6:48 p.m.
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