MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 14, 2009
The regularly scheduled City Council meeting was held at the Monticello Municipal Building, 210 North Hamilton Street. Mayor Chris Corrie convened the meeting at 7:00 pm.
Mayor Corrie asked Superintendent of City Services Allsop to serve as Clerk for this meeting.
In attendance at the meeting were the following:
Mayor Corrie Alderman Hayes Alderman Kuetemeyer
Alderman Hiller Alderman Brown Alderman Cummings
Alderman Eades Alderman Murdock Alderman Mitze
Student Advisor Cravens
Absent from the meeting were the following:
Attorney Tracy Clerk Dubson
Mayor Corrie led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Alderman Eades and seconded by Alderman Mitze to approve the following list of minutes, claims and other reports with the minutes of the November 9, 2009 council meeting date being corrected:
- Claims report dated December 11, 2009
- Minutes
- City Council meeting of November 9, 2009
- City Council meeting of November 23, 2009
- Planning Commission meeting dated December 10, 2009
- Police report dated December 14, 2009
- Building permit report for November 2009
- Treasurer’s report dated October 31, 2009
- Treasurer’s report dated November 30, 2009
- Budget report dated October 31, 2009
- Budget report dated November 30, 2009
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
In the mayor’s report, Mayor Corrie reported Lunch with Santa and Santa’s Workshop events were successful. Mayor Corrie also reminded aldermen of the upcoming CIMOA meeting Thursday, December 17, 2009 and the Employee’s Christmas potluck on Thursday at noon.
There was no old business discussed.
During public participation, Maureen Holtz appeared before the council requesting council to discuss the guidelines of the sanitary sewer valve shut-off reimbursement program at an upcoming study session. Ms. Holtz owns a building within the business-zoned district and experienced sewer back-up in the basement. She had a shut-off valve installed and wishes to be reimbursed through the program. The program guidelines state that the program is intended for residential homes only. Mayor Corrie directed Supt. Allsop to list this on the next study session agenda.
Under new business, Alderman Cummings made a motion to approve the City Center Use Policy as provided. Alderman Hayes seconded the motion. The proposed use policy was discussed at a previous study session and adjusted by city staff per council direction. The intent of the policy is to provide guidelines for the use of the City Center building. Since the building is new and possible uses are uncertain at this time, the policy is to be used as a starting point and will probably require adjusting in the future. Following extensive discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Eades to table further discussion and action until next meeting. The motion was seconded by Alderman Murdock. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Alderman Cummings and seconded by Alderman Eades to approve the list of meetings and holidays for calendar year 2010. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Alderman Hiller and seconded by Alderman Murdock to approve Ordinance 2009-55. The proposed ordinance prohibits parking on the north side of Livingston Street for a distance of 67’ west of the intersection of Livingston and Charter, as measured west from the Charter Street centerline. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Alderman Brown and seconded by Alderman Hiller to approve Ordinance 2009-56. The proposed ordinance adjusts the procedure currently used in determining the charge/fee for monthly residential sanitary sewer service. Currently a monthly average is determined by water usage from the 6 cold weather months of the previous year. This proposed ordinance will adjust that procedure to charge residential customers each month, based upon the amount of water used at that residence during that time. This proposed ordinance also eliminates the average charge applied to each new residential customer. A new residential customer will now be billed based upon the amount of water used each month at that residence. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Alderman Eades and seconded by Alderman Murdock to approve Ordinance 2009-57. The proposed ordinance is the annual tax levy to be approved and filed by the last Tuesday of December each year. Following previous meeting discussion, it is proposed to levy the same amount as last year. The annual levy this year totals $553,801. If the assessed value of the city increases as expected, the city tax rate should decrease from last year. Revenues from this tax levy will be collected and distributed during summer and fall 2010. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Alderman Mitze and seconded by Alderman Cummings to approve Ordinance 2009-58. The proposed ordinance is the annual tax levy for Special Service Area #2 – Appletree Subdivision. This levy is to be approved and filed by the last Tuesday of December each year. In year 2000, the city extended sanitary sewer infrastructure west of the Sangamon River. The SSA was approved in an effort to use the Appletree Subdivision development to help offset the cost of sewer extension. Once the Appletree portion of the project is reimbursed to the city, the SSA will be discontinued. The amount of the SSA #2 tax is fifty cents. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Alderman Cummings and seconded by Alderman Mitze to approve Ordinance 2009-59. The proposed ordinance will adjust the zoning ordinance relative to a parcel owned by Steve and Carol Reidel at 809 County Farm Road. The ~9.99 acre parcel was annexed into the city in 1972 and the Piatt County (Conservation) zoning converted to city (RC) Conservation zoning. The Reidels wish to build a single-family house on the south end of this property. The current zoning will not allow this to take place. The Reidels petitioned to have the zoning adjusted to (RS) Suburban Residential which promotes larger lots and low-density housing. No construction will take place within the flood plain near the Sangamon River. Plan Commission held a public hearing on December 10th and voted unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the zoning adjustment. Following discussion, the motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Alderman Hiller excused himself at 8:04 pm.
In Alderman’s reports, Alderman Eades advised that he is pleased to be a part of approving the tax levy with no increase this year. Alderman Mitze had Chief Miller discuss the Police department efforts that led to arrests made in connection with recent local burglaries. Alderman Cummings provided an update on recent Public Works activities. Alderman Kuetemeyer questioned city policy for replacing sidewalks and removing junk from private properties. He also asked city staff to study Charter Street and determine whether or not parking should be prohibited on one side due to the narrow width of the street. Alderman Brown mentioned Santa will be at the depot and the next First Friday Event will be held on New Year’s Eve (Thursday). Alderman Hayes concluded his recognition of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday with his final Lincoln reading. He also reminded everyone the recycling container is now located at the Public Works Facility. Student Advisor Cravens mentioned tickets to the annual Madrigals event are sold out, semester exams are taking place this week, Christmas break runs through Jan 4th and the holiday Hoopla is December 26 – 28.
Supt. Allsop provided recognition of the past year’s public work’s projects, past year’s outdoor recreation acquisition, successful pool referendum and remodeling & use of the City Center. He also briefly discussed upcoming policy changes, the upcoming budget challenges and police union negotiations. He concluded with recognition of past fiscal restraint that made the past year’s projects, acquisitions and accomplishments possible and of the favorable financial condition of the city heading into another challenging and uncertain year.
With no other business being discussed, Alderman Hayes made a motion to adjourn and Alderman Cummings seconded the motion. Mayor Corrie adjourned the meeting at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Floyd L. Allsop
Supt. of City Services
