MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2007.
The minutes of the regularly scheduled Monticello City Council Meeting of October 22, 2007 held in Council Chambers of the Municipal Building in Monticello, Piatt County, Illinois.
Meeting convened at 7:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mayor Mitze Alderman: Allman Attorney Tracy
Deputy Clerk McFarland Hayes Student Advisor King
Vanderkloot
Hiller
Brown
McHale (8:15pm)
Corrie
Kuetemeyer
Mayor Mitze led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Alderman Hiller seconded by Alderman Allman to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2007 and October 9, 2007, the Claims Report of October 22, 2007, the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of October 15, 2007, and the Budget Report ending September 30, 2007. Motion Carried
Mayor Mitze congratulated the Arts Council with the success of the Artrain event and thanked the volunteers. He passed around letters of gratitude he had received from the Monticello United Methodist Church and Faith in Action. Don’t forget the annual Chamber Banquet will be held on November 5th at Allerton and the Citizen of the Year will be announced at that time. The Christmas Parade is December 1st with a 11:30 step-off. Mayor Mitze complimented the City police department on solving the vandalism case at the high school and thanked the public for their involvement in the process.
In old business, Alderman Brown confirmed with Superintendent Allsop the extension of the sidewalk on the west side of Market St. out to the Bear Park area, scheduled to be included in next year’s budget. He also thanked the Monticello Student Council for their donation of $750 towards the food pantry.
A motion was made by Alderman Vanderkloot, seconded by Alderman Hiller to set up restricted use accounts for future capital expenditures as follows: Restricted General Fund, Roadway & Capital Expenditures, $400,000; Restricted Sanitary Sewer Capital Expenditures, $750,000; Restricted Working Cash & Water Capital Expenditures, $300,000. These accounts are to be designed on the CD, as such, and all interest earned on said CDs are to be added to each account respectively.
Superintendent Allsop requested the Council postpone discussion of Resolution 2007-56, Property Acquisition of 902 E. Washington Street, until Attorney Luke Feeney is present to advise the Council.
A motion was made by Alderman Hayes, seconded by Alderman Allman to approve Ordinance 2007-57, Water Rate Adjustment. This ordinance would allow for the initial increase, effective the first billing period of January 2008, and an automatic annual increase based on the Consumer Price Index, to be effective starting January of 2009. Illinois State statute requires all municipal-owned utilities to be self-supporting and this ordinance would allow for the potential of an additional $80,000 income per year. The Council could choose to opt out of any annual adjustment in the future. Motion carried.
Alderman Hayes announced the Junior Football League season is over. This year there was a record of 112 participants. The end of the season record is as follows: 8th grade- 7:1, 7th grade- 7:1, 6th grade- 6:2, 5th grade- 6:2. The recreation league soccer also held final games this previous weekend. Alderman Hayes wished to thank all the parents and volunteers who helped make these events possible. Remember to set back clocks on November 4th and change your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries. The 2nd Annual Trick-or-Treat at Nick’s Park is scheduled for Halloween night, October 31st, from 5-7pm. The Recreation Department is still accepting submissions for the coloring contest and will be through October 23rd. The winners will have their artwork posted on Channel 2. There will be a memorial service for MaryJo Hetrick at the new Crossroads Church at 4pm on October 27th. The bloodmobile will also be at the Monticello United Methodist Church on November 6th.
Alderman Kuetemeyer read an apology concerning both positive and negative feedback he had received regarding a comment he had made at the previous Council meeting. He apologized to those who were offended- it was not his intent.
Alderman Corrie stated that there were somewhere between 1900 and 2000 visitors at the Artrain this previous weekend, 847 of which were local students. There were 125 in attendance at the preview fundraiser. Almost everyone mentioned that they appreciated the local artists’ exhibit as much, if not more than the Artrain itself. Alderman Corrie thanked the Main Street, Chamber, City Staff and Arts Council volunteers for making this event possible.
In Superintendent Allsop’s report, he requested the City Council Study Session be rescheduled to Tuesday, November 6, because of a conflict with the Chamber Banquet. The parking lot outside the Municipal Building is ready for asphalt- contractors are only waiting on the weather. Grandview Estates has turned into a bigger project than anticipated. It was discovered that there was not base material underneath the old concrete and as a result, the City of Monticello Public Works are having to put in such. Public Works will work on the downtown alley project after the completion of the Grandview Estates project. This project entails the installation of a drainage tile behind (north side) the buildings including the East End Tavern, First Mid Bank, and the Brown Bag Restaurant. Once the tile is installed, all downspouts will be connected into the tile, preventing the ice from causing safety hazards in the cold months. The storm water detention project at Nick’s Park will follow the downtown alley project. Mr. Allsop has spoken with Nextel and was told that Nextel does offer wireless internet service but it is currently at dial-up speed. Within the next 120 days, Nextel will be upgrading their equipment and service will become “high-speed.” Alderman Hiller requested that Mr. Allsop look into high-speed wireless with Cingular/ A,T & T.
In the public participation, Maynard Suhre, representing Monticello CURBS, read a revised resolution signed by representatives of Heath’s Inc., Topflight Grain, the Piatt County Farm Bureau and Monticello CURBS. This resolution requested the City make the proposed modifications as listed in the resolution, or return the grant money and regain sovereignty over the streets. Mayor Mitze commented that he appreciated everyone’s input on this subject and it will be taken into consideration.
David Monk, representing Heartland Pathways stated he was pleased with the progress made thus far with the City and their negotiations. He passed out a letter prepared by Heartland Pathway’s Attorney, Robert Dodd, stating several requests. Mr. Monk cautioned that the City Council needed to think of future impact and potential catastrophic results before condemning the property. Mayor Mitze asked Mr. Monk how long Heartland Pathways had been working on the process of designating the area in question as an Illinois Nature Preserve, and why the Council just now heard about it. Mr. Monk felt he has never had a chance to represent the prairie, for example in the Appletree III Development.
Revisiting New Business, the City of Monticello is looking into property acquisition of 902 E. Washington, purchasing the property from Rod Hinmon for $30,000. The City Council would like to consider this property to use for construction of a dry-basin detention site, and to provide a flood route for water running along East Washington Street. Mr. Allsop was informed that Steve Shreffler has a contract with the property owner for an option to buy the property, which is in effect until 2013. Mr. Shreffler stated he was unaware that Mr. Hinmon was interested in selling the property until he saw tonight’s meeting agenda. With the advice of Attorney Feeney, Mayor Mitze stated he will not entertain a motion until all the questions are resolved.
Alderman Kuetemeyer made a motion to go into closed session, seconded by Alderman Hayes. Motion Carried.
Alderman Hayes made a motion, seconded by Alderman Corrie to come out of closed session. Motion Carried.
With no further business, a motion was made by Alderman Hayes, seconded by Alderman McHale to adjourn at 8:57 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Callie Jo McFarland, Deputy City Clerk
For the City of Monticello, Illinois
