West Central Reporter

City of Macomb Committee of the Whole met Aug. 26.

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, August 26, 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, Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Cerven 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, Police Chief Jeff Hamer, Fire Chief Dan Meyer, Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann, and Community Development Director Miranda Lambert.

Public Comment: None

The first item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance to Create a Class V Liquor License for Maxamillion’s Incorporated at 1414 East Jackson Street, Macomb, Illinois. This ordinance had first reading August 19, 2024.

Alderman Dorsett asked for clarification on requirements needed, to obtain a Class V Liquor License.

City Attorney Scalf stated license fees for a Class V were $10,000.00 per year. They would be required to obtain a video gaming license, after receiving approval from the State Gaming Board. Fees are $250.00 per terminal; those are shared equally between the terminal operator and business operator. Seating is required under the video gaming license portion; a minimum of 4 seats, in addition to what is at the terminals. Hours are set forth in the ordinance, and Bassett training is required for anyone serving alcohol. These particular entities would be over 21 only.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated this item would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at next council meeting.

The second item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance to Create a Class V Liquor License for Maxamillion’s Incorporated at 528 West Jackson Street, Macomb, Illinois. This ordinance had first reading August 19, 2024.

There was no discussion and Mayor Inman stated this item would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at next council meeting.

The third item on the agenda for discussion was on an Ordinance Amending Section 17-854 of the Macomb Municipal Code pertaining to the Off-Street Parking Requirements. This ordinance had first reading August 19, 2024.

Alderman Moon asked for clarification.

CDD Lambert stated they currently have 2 Special Use Permits coming forward in Planning Commission. The applicants are asking for front yard parking.

Alderman Moon asked if this was something we have done in the past.

City Attorney Scalf stated they would not be amending the amount of parking that is required. We are only taking out the requirements of a 5ft barrier between 2 pieces of concrete, and the minimum length of an addition for a parking pad. Right now, the code states it must be 25ft from the property line, and this is what we are taking out. They are not reducing the amount of parking that is required.

There was no further discussion and Mayor Inman stated this item would be placed on the agenda for second reading and final action at next council meeting.

The fourth item on the agenda for discussion was on Quarterly Reports by Departments for May, June, July.

Police Chief Hamer presented his report. He presented a list of hires, promotions, and retirements. He stated he added an impound section to his quarterly report, to help track the number of cars in and out of the impound for revenue purposes. He reported no seizures awarded this quarter; he believes that is due to changes in the Safety Act.

He reported the following agency quarterly activity:

Calls for service 10% increase total 4305

Adult arrest 25% increase total 460

Juvenile arrest 200% increase total 23

City charges up 3x the level from last year and State charges are dropping.

He provided a list of multiple Community Service, Diversity, and Recruitment Officer Activities. He stated Social Services Coordinator Sally Vigezzi attended training and became a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Their hope is to start next month teaching city employee’s mental health awareness and mental health first aid.

Fire Chief Dan Meyer presented his report. He reported a total of 562 rescue calls, 85 service calls, 7 structure fires, monthly incident counts 802. They had 3 fire service injuries, and $217,130.00 in fire loss. Training and education hours totaled 1372.51, included training in; First Due Software, Fire Investigation Training Conference, and Fire Service Vehicle Operator Training.

He reported Probationary Firefighter Wascher began shift on Crew 3. He had his 3-month evaluation, and has started his EMT-B course at Spoon River. There was 1 city inspection, and the Annual WIU Walk Through was completed with a total of 11. They continue with setup and training process with First Due for inspections and preplanning. A total of 267 preplans for the quarter. School and businesses 15, station 1 visits 3, car seats 6, smoke alarms installed 6, and smoke alarms residences 2, provided fire prevention to numerous schools and businesses, and participated in Health Fair with McDonough County Housing Authority.

He reported other activities; 2 retirements in May, and 1 resignation in July, formed a committee to begin process of replacing Tanker 1. Viewed Demo Units and began process to purchase.

Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann presented her report. She reported Wastewater Staff continues to keep up with routine maintenance; and working alongside the contractor to shut down processes as necessary, and open things back up to keep the plant operating and moving as it should. They had 2 new employees start in July.

She reported Water Treatment Plant has 5 Water Operators that are enrolled in the ILRWA Operator Apprenticeship program, which provides training to assist them in obtaining their water operator license, plant maintenance included; lime slakers, Pall system, Ro system, high service pump VFD, and chemical feed pump. Routine flushing of hydrants for THM (Tri-halo methane) control, and installation of the filter backwash pump and began process of cleaning the filters so they can be put back into operation.

She reported on Operations:

Street repair 366 hours

Street signs 52 hours

Storm sewer maintenance 624 hours

General maintenance (MFT related) 376 hours

Street cleaning 471 hours

Street striping 345 hours

Fire hydrant replacements

Spray patching though out the city

Installed 3 new auto flushers as required by IEPA

She reported on Capital Improvement Projects; construction to replace the grit system and add a new bar screen has begun at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and cleaning out the aerobic digester.

She reported the Burlington Bridge replacement preliminary design contract awarded to IMEG, and preliminary design underway. The project was not selected this year, and will be resubmitted for next year.

She reported on Adams Street Improvements; The project is expected to be completed, except for smaller items such as handrail, by the end of September 2024. She stated both Adams and Johnson Streets projects are doing very well, and thanked the Macomb Police Department, and the Sheriff’s Department for helping with Traffic Control.

She reported on Burgess Lift Station Replacement; Bids were opened on April 21, 2023. Bids came in much higher than anticipated so project was put on hold. Project has been redesigned and submitted to the IEPA for construction permit. Contract was awarded to Laverdiere Construction in the amount of $509,800.00. work has not started.

She reported on new Water Treatment Facility; Design is in progress, and the preliminary site plans have been developed. The engineer is working with reverse osmosis treatment system manufactures to develop system configuration. Project will be submitted to the IEPA for permitting by end of 2024.

Community Development Director Miranda Lambert presented her Quarterly Report in the Community Development meeting held on August 13th and was present to answer questions from council.

She stated they were looking into making changes with their system to help benefit their Code Enforcement and inspections. They are hoping to use their down months in the winter to review the building permit, and grass violation processes.

Mayor Inman asked if there was a timeline on when we would start to see housing demolition start to take place under the grant.

CDD Lambert stated should begin this week or into next week.

City Attorney Lisa Scalf presented her report. She reported city ordinance violations for the current year; July having the highest increase, 99 citations compared to last year’s total of 39. Collections are up from last year by $6,000.00. Continuing education included; Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association Spring Seminar, and monthly webinars. She provided a list of ordinances and resolutions, as well as a list of matters; prepared responses to 127 FOIA request. Collection of liens processed; water 37%, Weed 47%. Matters worked; opened a total of 433, those primarily being FOIA request and ordinance violations.

City Administrator Scott Coker presented the Business Office report. Provided in the report included a list of budget items, Treasurers report, end of first year cash summery report, end of first year quarter general revenue and expenses, tax revenue, and a budget activity report to staff leadership. A list of Human resources, benefits, and risk management, was provided; along with staff training and upcoming training.

He reported the general revenue for the general corp was up 5%; most of that being sales tax, and expenditures were down 20%.

There being no further business to come before Council, Alderman Dorsett moved, seconded by Alderman Wynn to adjourn into executive session to discuss 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., on question being put, Aldermen Schuch, Vigezzi, Shabazz, Dorsett, Katz, Wynn, and Moon being all Aldermen voting “Aye” on roll call, and no “Nay” votes on roll call Mayor Inman declared the motion carried and they adjourned into executive session at 5:49 p.m.

Alderman Vigezzi moved, seconded by Alderman Dorsett 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 adjourned back into open session at 6:06 p.m.

There being no further business to come before Council, Alderman Moon moved, seconded by Alderman Vigezzi 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 6:06 p.m.

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