City of Jacksonville City Council met June 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Members of the public have the option to attend the in-person City Council meeting or watch the live City Council meeting via live video located on the City of Jacksonville’s website www.jacksonvilleil.gov
The Jacksonville City Council Meeting was called to order at 6:52 p.m. by Mayor Andy Ezard in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. The meeting was publicly announced by posting and by written notice to the local newspaper and radio stations.
ROLL CALL: The following answered present: Aldermen Don Cook, Kent Hannant, Brett Henry, Joe Lockman, Lori Large Oldenettel, Alison Rubin de Celis, Aaron Scott, Darcella Speed, Mary Watts, Eren Williams; Mayor Andy Ezard; City Attorney Dan Beard; City Clerk Skip Bradshaw. A quorum was declared.
MINUTES: Motion was made by Watts, seconded by Oldenettel, to approve the May 22, 2023 Minutes as presented in advance. By voice vote, motion carried.
PETITIONS: No discussion.
COMMUNICATIONS: No discussion.
CLAIMS: Motion was made by Speed, seconded by Henry, to pay claims when funds are available. By voice vote, motion carried.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
1. Resolution authorizing waiver of advertisement for bids and accepting proposal and authorizing execution of agreement between the City of Jacksonville and J&M Displays for the Fourth of July Fireworks display. Motion was made by Scott, seconded by Williams, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2023-R-084 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution AUTHORIZING WAIVER OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS AND ACCEPTING PROPOSAL AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS, AND J&M DISPLAYS – (Term: Fireworks Display 2023 – Not to exceed $14,000), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion and there was none.
ROLL CALL: 10 Yeas; 0 Nays
Motion carried 10-0.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT:
1. Resolution approving amendment #2 to the waste haulers contract between the City of Jacksonville, Illinois and GFL Environmental, Inc. Motion was made by Rubin de Celis, seconded by Lockman, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2023-R-085 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution APPROVING AMENDMENT #2 TO THE WASTE HAULERS CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AND GFL ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. – (Rate increase from $18.95 to $20.50 per household), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion and there was none.
ROLL CALL: 9 Yeas; 1 Nay (Scott)
Motion carried 9-1.
CITY CLERK’S REPORT:
1. Community Development Department Report – May 31, 2023
2. City Clerk’s Cash Receipts Report – May 31, 2023
3. City Clerk’s General Fund – Budget Report – May 31, 2023
4. City Clerk’s General Fund – Revenue Analysis Report – May 31, 2023
PUBLIC COMMENT: No discussion.
CONSENT AGENDA
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:
Resolution No. 2023-R-089 and 2023-R-090 have been pulled and moved to Committee Reports for discussion.
2023-R-086 Resolution AUTHORIZING VARIOUS PAYMENTS FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS – $340,631.45
(Hutchison Engineering - $492.13; Hutchison Engineering - $365; Key Equipment & Supply Co., - $245,196; Lomelino Sign Company, Inc. - $3,135; Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC - $4,224; Scott Bros. Electric LLC - $79,000; S&R Marine - $8,219.32)
2023-R-087 Resolution AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR SERVICES RENDERED - $6,831.55
(Bellatti, Fay, Bellatti & Beard, LLP - $5,601.55 (City Attorney); Bellatti, Fay, Bellatti & Beard, LLP - $1,230 (Administrative Adjudication – Asst. City Attorney)
2023-R-088 Resolution APPROVING APPLICATION FOR LOAN; AND AUTHORIZING
Pulled Item ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN FROM THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REVOLVING LOAN FUND – (Rohn Investments, Inc. – The Plaza – $200,000)
2023-R-089 Resolution APPROVING CONTRIBUTION TO JACKSONVILLE AREA Pulled Item BASEBALL – ($20,000 from Video Gaming Revenue)
2023-R-090 Resolution APPROVING CONTRIBUTION TO THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – Pulled Item ($20,000 from Video Gaming Revenue)
PARKS & LAKES: No discussion.
PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS:
2023-R-091 Resolution ACCEPTING PROPOSAL TO FURNISH MATERIALS AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR 2023 MOTOR FUEL TAX MATERIALS PROGRAM, SEC. 23-00000-00-GM – (IRC, Inc. – Not to exceed $319,180.23)
PUBLIC PROTECTION:
2023-R-092 Resolution APPROVING HIRING PROCESS FOR THE JACKSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT – (Granting Police Chief Adam Mefford the authority to make hiring requests directly to the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners without further Council approval up to the full staffing level of 41 officers.)
SPECIAL STUDIES: No discussion.
UTILITY:
2023-R-093 Resolution AUTHORIZING ENGINEERING PROPOSAL WITH BENTON AND ASSOCIATES, INC. RE: MYRTLE, RICHARDS, SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH DIAMOND STREET WATER MAIN REPLACEMENTS – (Not to exceed $60,300 – Task A - $18,000; Task B - $42,300)
2023-R-094 Resolution APPROVING NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD BID FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PHASE 1 IMPROVEMENTS – HEADWORKS PROJECT – (Plocher Construction Company, Inc.)
2023-R-095 Resolution AUTHORIZING VARIOUS PAYMENTS FROM THE WATERWORKS & SEWERAGE PROJECTS FUND FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS - $39,492.88
(LW Rouland Trucking Service, Inc. - $34,306.32; Benton & Associates, Inc. - $490; Benton & Associates, Inc. - $375; Gatehouse Media Illinois Holdings, Inc. - $647.52; Zimmer Electric Contractor, Inc. - $3,674.14)
Motion was made by Watts, seconded by Speed, to accept the Consent Agenda. Mayor Ezard asked for discussion or if there were any additional items to be pulled from the Consent Agenda for further discussion. Ald. Oldenettel asked to pull Resolution No. 2023-R-088 from the Consent Agenda for discussion under Committee Reports.
ROLL CALL: 10 Yeas; 0 Nays
Motion carried 10-0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE/IT/PERSONNEL:
1. Resolution approving application for loan; and authorizing economic development loan from the City of Jacksonville Revolving Loan Fund. (Rohn Investments, Inc. – The Plaza). Motion was made by Cook, seconded by Lockman, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2023-R-088 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution APPROVING APPLICATION FOR LOAN; AND AUTHORIZING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN FROM THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REVOLVING LOAN FUND – (Rohn Investments, Inc. – The Plaza – $200,000), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion. Ald. Oldenettel asked for a current balance in the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). Treas. Hopkins advised the current balance is $503,000 and there is one application pending in the amount of $58,000 for the purchase of Our Town Books. Ald. Oldenettel asked if it would be possible for the Council to receive current fund balances prior to Council meetings. CA Beard suggested only providing that information when there are pertinent items on the agenda for a vote.
ROLL CALL: 10 Yeas; 0 Nays
Motion carried 10-0.
2. Resolution approving contribution to Jacksonville Area Baseball. Motion was made by Cook, seconded by Henry, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2023-R-089 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution APPROVING CONTRIBUTION TO JACKSONVILLE AREA BASEBALL – ($20,000 from Video Gaming Revenue), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion. Ald. Cook would like to develop some type of criteria or application process prior to voting on these types of requests. CA Beard suggested tasking a Committee to help with that. He also suggested that the City require an invoice and receipts prior to disbursement of funds. This particular request is being made to help repay a project loan. General discussion ensued. Ald. Oldenettel thinks this is a great project but will be voting against the request due to the absence of an application process, and she is not sure that granting this request is fair and equitable to any other group that may come forward.
ROLL CALL: 8 Yeas; 2 Nays (Lockman, Oldenettel)
Motion carried 8-2.
3. Resolution approving contribution to the Festival of Lights. Motion was made by Cook, seconded by Watts, to accept the resolution. CA Beard read the resolution as proposed.
2023-R-090 Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that a Resolution APPROVING CONTRIBUTION TO THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – (First year startup of $20,000 from Video Gaming Revenue), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion. Motion was made by Oldenettel, seconded by Hannant, to amend this contribution to $5,000. Doing so will give the Council time to determine how to use this money moving forward.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion on the motion to amend this contribution dollar amount from $20,000 to $5,000 and there was none.
ROLL CALL: 3 Yeas (Hannant, Oldenettel, Rubin de Celis)
7 Nays (Cook, Henry, Lockman, Scott, Speed, Watts, Williams)
Motion to amend the resolution failed 3-7.
Mayor Ezard asked for further discussion on the full contribution amount of $20,000. Ald. Hannant feels the City has already paid out enough of these funds and that amount of money should not be going to this project.
ROLL CALL: 7 Yeas (Cook, Henry, Rubin de Celis, Scott, Speed, Watts, Williams) 3 Nays (Hannant, Lockman, Oldenettel)
Motion carried 7-3.
CA Beard suggested tabling any further requests and sending this matter to a Committee to discuss and formulate a process within the next two to four weeks for all future requests.
PARKS & LAKES: No discussion.
PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS:
1. Second reading of an ordinance amending the Jacksonville Municipal Code Chapter 25 Traffic and Vehicles, Article IX. Through streets and stop intersections, Section 25-233 Specific stop intersections established. (South Clay Avenue & Franklin Street). Motion was made by Scott, seconded by Watts, to accept the second reading of the ordinance. CA Beard read the ordinance as proposed.
2023-O-018 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that an Ordinance AMENDING THE JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 25, TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES, ARTICLE IX THROUGH STREETS AND STOP INTERSECTIONS SECTION 25-233 SPECIFIC STOP INTERSECTIONS ESTABLISHED – (Removing the 4-way stop intersection at Franklin Street and Clay Street), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion. Ald. Williams is concerned about future traffic flow should the former Mac Murray dormitories be purchased and suggested installing another yield or stop sign when exiting the parking area.
ROLL CALL: 10 Yeas; 0 Nays
Motion carried 10-0.
2. First reading of an ordinance amending the Jacksonville Zoning Ordinance Appendix H, an ordinance regulating solar energy systems. Motion was made by Scott, seconded by Oldenettel, to accept the first reading of the ordinance. CA Beard read the ordinance as proposed.
2023-O-019 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, that an Ordinance AMENDING THE JACKSONVILLE ZONING ORDINANCE APPENDIX H, AN ORDINANCE REGULATING SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS (Limiting systems in excess of .5 acres to a Special Use designation under the M-1 and M-2 Zoning Districts), is hereby approved.
Mayor Ezard asked for discussion and there was none.
ROLL CALL: 10 Yeas; 0 Nays
Motion carried 10-0.
PUBLIC PROTECTION: No discussion.
SPECIAL STUDIES: No discussion.
UTILITY: No discussion.
OLD BUSINESS: No discussion.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ald. Hannant would like to receive the agenda in a more timely manner than the Friday before the meeting. Doing so would give the Aldermen more time to review the items and pose questions prior to the meetings. General discussion ensued and it was decided to move the pre-agenda meetings to the Wednesday before the Council meetings on a trial basis, sending out the agenda on Thursdays.
Ald. Speed invited everyone to attend the Juneteenth Celebration to be held downtown Saturday, June 17th, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ald. Oldenettel commended the two Jacksonville High School students who won a national contest with their GIS and traffic count study in Jacksonville. Their findings led to the realization that accidents appear to be more prevalent in the downtown area because of the one-way streets. It was their recommendation that more one-way signage be placed downtown. Chief Mefford does not feel one-way traffic is the issue, but more that accidents are happening when drivers are backing out of parking spaces, or semi-truck drivers running over the median, etc. However, he is not opposed to additional signage.
Ald. Lockman believes the new 4-way stop sign at the intersection of Park and College has been a huge success. He also noted that there is one building on the south side of the square where the brick has begun to crumble. He is worried about pedestrian safety and the overall look of the façade. The City will look into the matter.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further discussion, motion was made by Cook, seconded by Watts, to adjourn into Executive Session at 7:25 p.m. to discuss Collective Bargaining.
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