West Central Reporter

City of Greenville City Council Dec. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Regular Council meeting was called to order on December 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM by Mayor George Barber.

1. ROLL CALL

Council Present: Mayor George Barber, Council Member Ivan Estevez, Council Member Kyle Littlefield, and Council Member Blake Knox

Council Absent: Council Member Lisa Stephens

Staff Present: City Manager Hollenkamp, City Clerk Jody Weiss, Chief of Police Bryan Waugh, Economic Director Bill Walker

Public Present: Rebecca Sponsler, JoEllen Vohlken, Isaac & Morgan Gilmore, Todd & Soodi Brown, Jo Keillor, Suzanne Davis, Eric Reelitz, Chance Vohlken and Jeff Leidel

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. CITIZEN INPUT / COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM OR OTHERWISE

3.1. Isaac Gilmore lives at 325 N Prairie and is frustrated that the N Elm Street parking issue was solved in one meeting and Prairie St is still being discussed and this is the third meeting so far. The students are continually parking on Prairie when they know they are not supposed to. His driveway gets blocked by student parkers. He is also concerned about safety. There are no marked crosswalks and students are walking into the street between parked cars. He was at the Planning Commission meeting regarding First Street and GU assured the residents in attendance that there would not be any disruption to their parking.

Todd Brown lives at the corner of College and Prairie. He has the same experience as Mr. Gilmore. His driveway is constantly being partially blocked. He is also concerned about students that park the wrong way on the wrong side of the street. He is unable to put his mom's toter out on trash day due to students parking, and this is in front of a fire hydrant.

Suzanne Davis, president of Greenville University, agreed that it is a dangerous street. They have enforcement issues, being short staffed. There are 246 parking for freshmen students and after holidays they will all be advised to park in that parking lot, located across the street from the Whitlock Center. GU has ordered "boots". She is also ok to have a 'No Parking" sign for anyone if necessary, but not just for GU.

4. COUNCIL OR MAYOR COMMENTS

4.1. Knox commented he liked the new website.

4.2. Mayor Barber requested that 8.5 be pushed to the top of the Agenda due to the number of residents in attendance for that particular subject.

5. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

6. ENGINEERING REPORT

6.1. HMG Report:

Beaumont Avenue Resurfacing

1. Final payment authorization is waiting on IDOT approval.

Dewey Street Reconstruction

1. Plans have been revised based on IDOT review comments. HMG will meet with the City to discuss some of the comments.

6.2. Milano & Grunloh Report:

∙ SRTS (Phase 2) The City was successful on this application receiving $250,000. A public meeting was held on July 2nd. The plans have been submitted to IDOT for final review. We anticipate a first quarter bid letting.

∙ The IEPA has funded the project in the amount of $21,404,770.96 at an interest rate of 0.93% with $1,250,000.00 in loan forgiveness. The city also applied for a DCEO RIPI grant which was announced and the City received a 2 million dollar grant. The City awarded the All Service Contract for Filter Installation for $119,995.00 and Contract for Filter Supply for $2,043,820.00. Construction began the last week of September 2023. They are working on above grade piping, the building, etc. Additional trades (electrical, plumbing, brick layers, etc.) are working on interior items. The building shell is complete and the interior work is progressing well. See the attached construction minutes for more information. Pay Estimate #15 for $506,859.34 from Grunloh Building is presented for approval.

∙ DCEO Applications were due January 19, 2023. Attached is a project exhibit and budget. The project was funded at $1.5 million. We have the IDOT and Railroad Permits. There is a potential gap in Right-of-Way between the Railroad and the Highway for which easements have been prepared. The bid opening was on September 5. The low bidder was Haier Plumbing & Heating. A pre-construction meeting is scheduled for December 9th at 1:00 at City Hall.

∙ ITEP A new project area is being evaluated. See new exhibit. Preliminary Engineering for this area has started. The NOFO is out with applications due September 30th. A public meeting was held. The application has been submitted.

∙ OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) The application has been submitted. The City of Greenville received a $600,000 grant. See the attachments. The grant agreement has been received. The grant agreement has been executed and design has begun. The project area has been surveyed and design has started. A meeting was held to review the plans. Plans are 90% complete with a bid advertisement planned for the 1st quarter of 2025.

∙ Downtown Grant – The City received $1.9 million for these improvements. Milano & Grunloh will assist with Administration. Plans are complete by Studio ARQ with a bid opening on August 15th at City Hall. The City has received reimbursements for $167,635 for Design/Engineering and $25,318.75 in contingencies. Construction should begin soon.

∙ There are items at the Waste Water Treatment Plant that will need addressed in the next five years. These are being evaluated to develop a plan for a timeline and budget. One clarifier was taken offline and inspected. It was in good shape, but will need work completed or deterioration will escalate. A funding application to the IEPA for a $3 million project was submitted. Preliminary, the City is eligible for 45% principal forgiveness. See the attached exhibit and plan. Milano & Grunloh has submitted the paperwork to the IEPA. Construction for this Phase I project should be in 2025. The project plan has been approved. IEPA has published the intended use plan. Greenville was on the funded list, but past the available funding. There is the possibility to receive bypass funding. An RFQ was completed for engineering. Milano & Grunloh was selected. If bypass funding is approved, construction should begin in 2025. Phase 2 is being planned to improve the intake and other items.

∙ Bond Madison Interconnect – An interconnection with Bond/Madison is being completed. Plans and permits have been sent to the IEPA. This was reduced to a basic connection. The IEPA permit has been received. Construction is complete. An operating permit has been sent to the IEPA.

∙ Box Culvert – There is an existing box culvert on Main Street that has failed. Options for repairing it are being evaluated. The plan is to proceed with an arch type box. The City is going to bid the this out in the next fiscal year.

∙ 319 Grant – The Notice of Funding Opportunity is out. The City is not applying.

∙ Energy Transition Grant –The City should receive $97,890.11. It is planned to be used as funding for the RDMS program.

∙ The sludge permit for the water treatment plant has been renewed.

∙ Regional Site Readiness – This is a new grant program the City is evaluating to apply for infrastructure improvements to a possible new industrial park. It was submitted on October 21st. See attached exhibit.

∙ Red Ball Trail – The County is looking at improving/reconstructing a new overpass across the railroad on Red Ball Trail. Enclosed is an exhibit for relocating the watermain. This is being navigated as to who’d financial responsibility this will be.

∙ Dewey Street – This is a new grant program the City is evaluating to apply for infrastructure improvements to a possible new industrial park. It was submitted on October 21st. See attached exhibit.

∙ Completed Projects:

∙ Hena Street

∙ Dollar General and Fusion Dance

∙ Water Treatment Plant Sludge Permit

∙ DG Market Water Main Extension

∙ Energy Efficiency Grant

∙ Sunset Point

∙ Traffic Study

∙ Anthony Supply Storm Sewer

∙ Elm Street Overlay

∙ Source Water Protection Plan

∙ Idler Lane Water Main Replacement

∙ Buzzard Bay Sidewalk

∙ Survey on Spring Street

∙ Easements for Lights on College Avenue

∙ Survey on Pecan Street

∙ Patio at 102 N Second Street

∙ School Streets

∙ Chemical Feed Modifications

∙ SRTS Phase 1

7. CONSENT AGENDA

7.1 Minutes of previous meeting

7.2 Financial Statements for the Month

7.3. Approval of Unpaid Bills

7.4. Administrative Reports

A) Police Department

B) Public Works Department

C) Sewer Department

D) Water Department

E) Building Permits

F) Building Inspector / Code Enforcement Officer

G) Fleet Report

7.5. Other Items:

A) Ratification of Change order #1 for the demolition project (old Dollar General, and old Fusion Dance) in the amount of <$5,500>. The Dryvit was removed from the Fusion Dance building.

B) Ratification of pay estimate #1 payable to Precision Excavating in the amount of $74,400.00 for the demolition project (old Dollar General and old Fusion Dance).

C) Ratification of Evoqua payment in the amount of $23,080.96 for the sewer plant shaft & coupling replacement. This is a budgeted item.

D) Ratification of value engineering final items for the plaza. Removal of quick couplers (code does not allow for quick couplers) -$21,400 and change the stage floor from epoxy to brushed concrete -$6,460 for a total credit of $27,860.00. The current plaza contract to date is $2,667,426.00; no further deductions anticipated.

E) Ratification of pay estimate #15 from Grunloh Building Inc. in the amount of $506,859.34 for the Water Plant project.

F) Ratification of Resolution #2024-10 setting meeting dates for 2025. Note: Because Veteran's Day November 11th falls on a Tuesday the council meeting that month will be on Wednesday same time and place.

G) Ratification of Nate Paulin-Wieland to the planning commission. H) Ratification of Bobbi Smith appointment to the Tourism Committee

7.6 Approval of consent items

Approval of consent agenda items (<--this text will not show on output document; motion/recommendation will show)

Motion by Ivan Estevez, seconded by Kyle Littlefield, Motion to approve Consent Items 7.1 - 7.5.

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Ivan Estevez SECONDER: Kyle Littlefield AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

8. MATTERS OF COUNCIL CONSIDERATION

8.1. Consideration of proposal from Piasa Commercial Interiors in the amount of $7,922 to prepare the parapets and roof for the roofers to install the coping cap at Mario's and for Joiner Sheet Metal & Roofing to install the coping cap in the amount of $17,267 for a total of $25,189. There were two quotes obtained and the other was a total of 42,302. This repair is due to the adjoining wall being removed.

Motion by Blake Knox, seconded by Kyle Littlefield, Motion to approve the proposal from Piasa Commercial Interiors in the amount of $7,922 to prepare the parapets and roof for the roofers to install the coping cap at Mario's and for Joiner Sheet Metal & Roofing to install the coping cap in the amount of $17,267 for a total of $25,189.

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Blake Knox SECONDER: Kyle Littlefield AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

8.2. Consideration of Ordinance 3343 which is a permanent easement for the Watson's outdoor dining patio.

Motion by Ivan Estevez, seconded by Kyle Littlefield, Motion to approve ordinance 3343 for a permanent easement at Birdies and Barrels.

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Ivan Estevez SECONDER: Kyle Littlefield AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

8.3. Consideration for contract change with Studio Arq to add additional services as required by the value engineering in the amount of 38,000 . This includes: review, recommend, incorporate VE modifications into the design, and issue construction plans reflecting the changes.

Motion by Kyle Littlefield, seconded by Blake Knox, Motion to approve contract service change with Studio Arq in the amount of $38,000 for the plaza project.

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Kyle Littlefield SECONDER: Blake Knox AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

8.4. Consideration of 2024 Tax Levy Ordinance 3342.

Motion by Ivan Estevez, seconded by Blake Knox, Motion to approve Ordinance 3342 for the 2024/2025 Tax Levy which includes an increase of 3%.

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Ivan Estevez SECONDER: Blake Knox AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

8.5. Discussion of downtown parking issues and Prairie Street parking issues.

City Manager Hollenkamp said there were three options: 1. No parking period from 7 AM- 5 PM; 2. No Parking for GU; 3. No Parking for anyone. The concern for the third option is it will speed up traffic.

Estevez said there are 20 or so parking lots and 8 homes. Could we designate each resident with 2 spaces and the leftover spaces would be available to students. Knox suggested for residents only to park on that street.

Jason Heckman, Public Works Director, texted to Hollenkamp to let her know this does not solve the problem. The Public Works crews have to be able to do snow removal, leaf vac and brush, and with all the cars parked there it is not possible.

Isaac Gilmore said Prairie Street has become really dangerous. He suggested painting a crosswalk. Littlefield said from Oak to Prairie we could paint yellow "No Parking from here to Corner" sign.

Suzanne Davis, president of Greenville University, said the university cannot enforce the parking, as they do not have enough manpower. She liked the idea of crosswalk but went further and said to add flashing lights. She assured the council they are working on getting the students out of the municipal parking lot just north of the freshman dorm. They intend to inform students their parking lot is across from Whitlock Center.

Todd Brown said if there are no consequences the problem will continue. He has seen illegal parking and fire hydrants being blocked.

Eric Reelitz said he travels that street often and will encounter delivery trucks and can not get through at all. He asked what the status of the parking lot to the east of Prairie or behind the Science Center.

Hollenkamp asked Suzanne if GU can designate a specific numbered space for students to park, and Davis replied they have parking tags for specific lots, but not certain spaces.

Hollenkamp asked could there be no parking on the street from August until May? Gilmore said he is afraid this would not be enforced.

Chief of Police Bryan Waugh said they cannot enforce undesignated parking spots. Due to state statute, they can no longer chalk tires. If there is an issue and it is reported, the police can then proceed to address the individuals who are parking illegally. He added they are not always in a position to write tickets.

Estevez asked if we could slow the speed limit and Waugh said if we decrease the speed limit, it allows the police department to enforce it. Currently the speed limit is 30 miles per hour.

JoEllen Vohlken asked what enforcing would be done? A ticket, tow it? Waugh said the will make contact with the offender and have them move it. Vohlken asked what keeps them from doing it again? There are no consequences.

Jeff Leidel was really concerned about the students parking in front of fire hydrants. Everyone knows you do not park in front of a fire hydrant. That is something that MUST be ticketed. This could potentially obstruct the firemen to getting water to a house on fire. He feels police should patrol that area several times a day. It is the law to not block fire hydrants. It's an easy fix to enforce.

Soodi Brown has had the same car parked in front of her home for four days. She suggested having no GU students park there for six months and see what happens. She also commented on the GU football team and coaches walking through her yard. She added she does not mind the loud music or kids having fun, mentioning the strange smells coming from the dorms. She suggested having stickers for the residents and a sign for Residents Only. Littlefield said that other events are held at the university that our residents would likely attend, and they are residents too.

Hollenkamp said we cannot set a rule we cannot enforce.

Chance Vohlken said he went to Illinois College in a small town much like ours. They had permitted parking only. The key is the University. They need to control where their students are parking. Make them have consequences. He also added that there should be 2 crosswalks at College and Spruce.

Davis said the students cannot register if they have parking tickets. She again stated their intent is to have the freshman lot enforced this August. Commuter students can park on Prairie currently.

Hollenkamp would like to see a diagram of the street and where we should put the crosswalks. She asked Isaac Gilmore to send her a diagram so the council can study it for the special meeting that will be conducted on Monday, December 16 at 6:00 PM.

Davis wanted it on the record that she strongly opposes verbiage of "No GU Parking". She suggested checking with other universities to see what they use as best practices. Morgan Gilmore said she would rather see signs than see a student get hit.

Hollenkamp said we also have parking issues on the square due to the county employees and employees of businesses parking on the square. The business owners are getting upset. People cannot park nearby their establishment and it is a hindrance. She suggested having designated parking spaces for each business with "Parking for Attitudes Only" with Monday through Friday, 8-5.

Littlefield asked how do you determine how many spots for each business? Mudslide has lots of people coming and going, as does Terra Luna. If someone patronizes both places, and then walks up to get some lunch, but still parked at Mudslide, is that an issue? He feels assigned parking spaces would be too complicated.

Barber said he would like to talk to the county offices and ask that they park elsewhere.

Reelitz said to put the parking meters back in. Littlefield said without constant enforcement, it will never work. We just do not have enough officers in the police department.

Hollenkamp said we will have a Special Council Meeting to specifically discuss and make a decision regarding the safety on Prairie Street.

There will be no action at this time. Further feedback is required.

8.6. Consideration of property purchases for a new Library (old Library building to remain).

Chance Vohlken gave an update on the Library including the timeline for when the library fist opened and the proposals that have come before council. Jo Keilor also spoke and answered questions about library programming. Hollenkamp reminded everyone that a new library was not going to happen immediately, Vohlken stated he hoped to have the new library within 5 years.

Motion by Blake Knox, seconded by Ivan Estevez, Motion to approve the purchase of parcel #05-30-10-413-099 for $215,000 plus a letter of a charitable contribution in the amount of $25,000, and the purchase of vacant parcel 05-30-10-413-013 for $65,000, and vacant parcel 05-30-10-413-098 for $65,000 to be paid out of the library Fund.

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Blake Knox SECONDER: Ivan Estevez AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

9. MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION

9.1. Move into executive session for Personnel 5ILCS 2(c)(1), Purchase of Real Estate 5ILCS 2(c)(5), Sale of Real Estate 5ILCS 2(c)(6), Pending Litigation 5ILCS 2(c)(11).

Motion by Kyle Littlefield, seconded by Blake Knox, Motion to move into executive session for Personnel 5ILCS 2(c)(1), Purchase of Real Estate 5ILCS 2(c)(5), Sale of Real Estate 5ILCS 2(c)(6), Pending Litigation 5ILCS 2(c)(11).

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Kyle Littlefield SECONDER: Blake Knox AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION

10.1. Personnel

10.2. Purchase of Real Estate

10.4. Pending Litigation

10.5. Move back into open session

Motion to move back into open session.

11. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Kyle Littlefield, seconded by Blake Knox, to adjourn the Regular Session at 9:30 p.m. Since there was no business to reconvene in open session, the meeting was adjourned from Executive Session.

RESULT: Carried MOVER: Kyle Littlefield SECONDER: Blake Knox AYES: George Barber, Ivan Estevez, Kyle Littlefield, and Blake Knox  ABSENT: Lisa Stephens

https://greenvilleillinois.civicweb.net/document/81474/