West Central Reporter

City of Macomb Committee of the Whole met April 8.

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, April 8, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. located in City Hall at 232 East Jackson Street, Macomb, IL.

Mayor Inman called the meeting to order and roll call was taken, City Clerk Renee Lotz called the roll and the following were present: Aldermen Justin Schuch, John Vigezzi, Byron Shabazz, Dave Dorsett, Ashley Katz, Don Wynn, and Dennis Moon.

Also, in attendance were, City Administrator Scott Coker, City Attorney Lisa Scalf, Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann, and Transit Director Miranda Lambert.

PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Inman opened a public hearing on Adoption of Budget for the City of Macomb, McDonough County, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Commencing on May 1, 2024 and ending April 30, 2025 at 5:17 p.m. CA Coker gave a very brief overview; there have been no changes, General Corp. Fund $6.7 million at the end of this fiscal year, revenues $10.3 million, expenses $11.9 million, estimated balance May 1, 2025 $5.2 million. There was no discussion, no one spoke in favor/opposition of the budget ordinance. The public hearing was closed at 5:19 p.m.

Public Comment: None

The first item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance to Adopt a Budget for the City of Macomb, McDonough County, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Commencing on May 1, 2024, and ending April 30, 2025. This ordinance had first read Monday, April 1, 2024. There was no discussion and Mayor Inman stated it would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at next Monday night’s council.

The second item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance to Amend the City’s Fee Schedule. This ordinance had first read Monday, April 1, 2024. City Attorney Scalf explained the color version of the schedule, stating its ease in tracking the changes. Exhibit A includes changes to the fee schedule contained in Section 24.

Some of the tables are completely red, those have been added. The portions of those tables that are shaded do have changes to the fees, those are reflected in Exhibit B.

One additional change made since the first reading of the ordinance, impound/tow fees. Those have not been increased for many years. The Monday through Friday rate will increase to $100, and the Weekend/Holiday rate will increase to $180.

Exhibit B is all inline code changes that are reflected in those table changes. Many of those changes are placing into a table format to make it easier for the public to find the fees.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated the ordinance as amended would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at next Monday night’s council.

The third item on the agenda for discussion was on the Special Census Timeline and Field Representative Recruitment Process. CDC Bannon provided a memorandum outlining the timeline for recruitment, hiring, mailings and training. There was a printed power point for the program provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. CDC Bannon was not present.

CA Coker gave a brief overview of the meeting conducted by the bureau at which, himself, CDC Bannon, and City Attorney Scalf attended to receive initial information and instruction. He explained there would be a Press Conference held on Wednesday, April 10, at 3:00 p.m. The city is responsible for recruiting workers in the field, 60 applicants are needed, with compensation from $16.14 to $26.16. These will not be city employees. The website address to apply: www.usa.jobs.gov/job/752213900 Recruiting will start as soon as possible. Positions mostly part time.

Alderman Vigezzi asked if the city had reached out to WIU to let them know.

CA Coker stated not yet, they would, and he stated the student count must be US Citizens to work for the Census Bureau.

Mayor Inman stated there has been a location for office space identified internally at the Transit Facility.

The fourth item on the agenda for discussion was on McDonough County Public Transportation requesting to make application to the Illinois Department of Transportation for Statewide Planning and Research Funds. Transit Director Lambert explained the grant in detail to the council. The grant amount being applied for is $220,000.00, and requires a 20% match of ($44,000); it would come from the Transit’s reserve fund which has just over $1 million.

Transit Director Lambert stated the use of the funds would assist Transit in assessing current needs, evaluate infrastructure, and develop a plan incorporating the current fixed routes, demand response services, and address any gaps there may be existing.

She stated awards would be announced this summer, if awarded there would be the required IDOT Resolution/Ordinance.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated it would be placed on the agenda for final action at next Monday night’s council.

The fifth item on the agenda for discussion was on an Agreement between the City of Macomb and Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for the Monopoly Sculptures. CA Coker provided a copy of the agreement. He stated the MACVB desires to place four statues on the square replacing the now current sculptures that will be removed.

He stated this agreement was much like the one for the Lincoln statue at city hall, maintenance will be the responsibility of the MACVB. There will also be four 4x4 sheets of aluminum located on four corners of the square that mimic the four corners of the Monopoly board game. The language states all responsibility is on the MACVB.

Alderman Vigezzi asked where they were being placed.

CA Coker explained they would be on the sidewalk straight east and west of each alley.

There was no further discussion and the Mayor stated this would be placed on the agenda for final action at next Monday night’s council.

The sixth item on the agenda for discussion was on Source Water Protection Plan. Public Works Director Ohrtmann explained that regulation was passed in 2018 that all water supply needed to provide water source protection plans. Ours was due in July 2023, it was not done, we have recently received a letter from the EPA telling us to get it in.

She has talked with Baxter Woodman who was able to get a proposal to us in the amount of $13,600.00, which was much less than she expected. She stated with the new purchasing policy, that enabled the City Administrator to sign off on it, and he did. A signed agreement was sent to them last Friday. The plan will be to us later next week, reviewed and sent onto the EPA before the April deadline.

She explained the protection plan was much easier since the RO wells are very deep, and the lake is in a rural, natural setting, with a good buffer, and no storm sewers nearby.

The seventh item, other business was used to discuss the Nexamp Agreement that was removed from an earlier agenda regarding solar power electrical offset for the city.

CA Coker explained the project. He stated Becky Thompson was the city’s energy advisor, and has come to the city with a community solar project allowing the city to benefit of solar for our buildings that we do not want to place solar panels. We are investigating having solar panels at the locations where we have room, Waste Water, and Water plants, and Transit has a grant to place solar.

Community Solar allow us to tie onto a solar field that is being developed, somewhere in the state, and we would become an anchor subscriber. This would be a 20-year contract, allowing us to purchase power, not getting the electrons, but the benefit. A solar field needs anchor subscribers to guarantee sales of power, they get the SREC’s, and the state SREC’s benefit from having the anchor supplier.

He explained the city would receive a 15% rebate from Nexamp for using the community solar. This does not affect our agreements with our other power suppliers. We would go up from 85% of average usage, which is a 20-year savings of $268,000.00. He stated he has not heard of any down side to this from other communities.

Mayor Inman stated we are not going to build any solar panels, and it can be anywhere in Illinois.

CA Coker stated that what may have confused the issue was that Nexamp is developing a field here on Grant Street outside city limits, that is being voted on next week, and we did speak with them about being tied to that field, but we do not have to be, we can be after they are approved. We could then say, our power is coming from that field that is local. They are seeking residents to sign up as well. He stated they had picked for the city a field in southern Illinois originally.

Alderman Dorsett asked if there were communities that had a long-term.

CA Coker stated there were not many. Some are a little further along than us, one or two that are already receiving rebates. It has not been around long enough to get long term yet.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated it would be placed on the agenda for final action at next Monday night’s council.

Upon a motion being duly made by Alderman Vigezzi, seconded by Alderman Shabazz to adjourn into an executive session to consider information relative to: a). 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 Schuch, Vigezzi, Shabazz, Dorsett, Katz, Wynn, and Moon being all Aldermen voting “Aye” on roll call and no “Nay” votes, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they adjourned into executive session at 5:45 p.m.

Alderman Dorsett moved, seconded by Alderman Wynn to adjourn back into open session, on question being put, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice vote, and no “Nay” vote, Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they adjourned back into open session at 6:07 p.m.

There being no further business to come before Council, Alderman Vigezzi moved, seconded by Alderman Moon to adjourn the meeting, all Aldermen voting “Aye” by voice

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