MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2008.
The minutes of the regularly scheduled Monticello City Council Meeting of February 11, 2008 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: Vanderkloot Attorney Tracy
Clerk Fruendt McHale
Hayes
Corrie
Brown
Kuetemeyer
Hiller
Allman
Student Advisor: King
Mayor Mitze led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance
A motion was made by Alderman Hiller seconded by Alderman McHale to approve the City Council minutes of January 28, 2008, the Council Study Session minutes of February 4, 2008, the Claims Report of February 11, 2008, the City Monthly Permits for January 2008, and the Police Report for January 2008. Motion Carried
The Mayor said he thoroughly enjoyed his vacation and is just glad to be back with the 10º weather. He wanted to extend his appreciation to the city for the snow removal and dealing with the floodwaters. Mayor Mitze explained after a fatal accident took place in the city due to a heater please be careful of space heaters. A poll was taken on enews to rate services during the bad weather. The response is as follows: 57.1% was wonderful, 30.6% average and 12.2% poor.
Alderman Hayes wanted to personally thank Floyd Allsop, Gary Sebens and city employees for all their help in sand bagging his property. It is the worst Mr. Hayes has seen. Hayes said we need to move forward and address the problem. This is an annual occurrence and it just seems to be getting worse.
Alderman Hiller seconded Tim’s comment on addressing the situation and getting something done.
Alderman Kuetemeyer addressed Chief John Miller asking if a report had been received yet from the railroad on what caused the accident south of town. Chief Miller responded by saying he had heard nothing.
Alderman Corrie stated no quadrant in the city was untouched with the storms. The city helped other residents with sandbagging.
Alderman McHale said capital improvement should be put in the budget to take care of levy areas. This should be discussed when preparing the budget.
Alderman Vanderkloot stated the fire department was even out on Washington Street helping when we had the rainstorms and the flooding.
A motion was made by Alderman Corrie, seconded by Alderman Hayes to approve Resolution 2008-05, A Resolution Approving Purchase of 224 E. Livingston Street. 7 yeas 1 nay Before the resolution was voted on, Alderman Corrie and Alderman Kuetemeyer made a presentation on the cost of purchasing the building plus redoing the building. A survey was taken by Fred Finn and John Nation representatives of the senior citizens group for Faith In Action. They sent out 291 surveys and 149 people responded. Corrie and Kuetemeyer also stated what organization would benefit from this building.
Barbara Schleicher and Jim Gortner from Allerton Park and Conference Center did a presentation to the Council on their internship program and what is accomplished with this program. A motion was made by Alderman Corrie, seconded by Alderman Hayes to approve the city funding two internship positions for the year 2008-2009 in the amount of $7,000.00. 7 yeas 1 nay
Steve Tenhouse gave a presentation on the hospital sponsoring the Kirby Derby race to be held on May 3rd. This is in conjunction with the Monticello Main Street May Market.
A motion was made by Alderman Hayes, seconded by Alderman Vanderkloot to support the hospital on this undertaking. Motion Carried.
Student Advisor King informed the council the boy’s basketball team were third in the Okaw. The girls are 23 and 5. Spring sports are getting started. The high school annual blood drive is tomorrow.
Alderman Vanderkloot mentioned the tree cuttings laying around up on the square. He said he noticed Floyd was up there Saturday morning picking them up. There were several activities going on around town over the weekend and he wanted to thank Floyd for getting rid of the branches.
Alderman Corrie wanted to remind everyone of the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at Celebrations at 1:15 P.M. on Tuesday, February 12th. This will take place after the chamber lunch. Last Friday, Covered in Chocolate took place sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Allerton Park and Conference Center and Monticello Main Street. This activity started on Friday and ended on Sunday. A special thank you goes out to Donna Catlin, Linda Miller, Marty Burgin and Kim Petzing.
Alderman Hayes announced that Adult Recreation Open Gym Volleyball is at Lincoln School every Wednesday and Sunday. Anyone at least 16 years of age and older can participate. The cost for this is $1.00 daily participation fee. Summer Ball registration is February 11th –22nd. The Recreation Department is currently accepting applications for summer help. Applications may be picked up at and returned to the municipal building. The Valentine Make and Take event was well attended.
Superintendent Floyd Allsop wanted to discuss with the council about the Turtle Point Subdivision street project. Terry Summers, Alderman Corrie and myself met with the Homeowners Association representatives Phil Blankenburg and Steve Furcich. In talking with them, they did not accept using oil and chip on the street. With them not accepting the oil and chip, we then talked to them about replacing the existing asphalt with new asphalt and they were all right with that. We suggested putting in concrete curbs and gutters but they would have to pay for that. They wanted the city to pay for it. Floyd prepared some SSA figures for the meeting. Alderman Hayes is interested in cost sharing on the street and curb and gutter. Alderman Hiller and Alderman Brown agreed with Alderman Hayes. Alderman Kuetemeyer wanted to table this until the next meeting. The motion did not pass due to a lack of a second. Alderman Allman stated they need to pay for their own curb and gutter. Alderman Vanderkloot said to offer the curb and gutter at their expense. Alderman McHale agreed with Alderman Hayes. Alderman Corrie said we need to negotiate with them. It was decided Allsop needed to go back to them and let them know the city does not agree to pay for the curb and gutter.
In Superintendent Allsop’s report, at the last meeting a question of how many times calls were made into the time and temperature for 2007. Chamber director Sue Gortner asked Floyd to report there were 37,000. Also the chamber site had 174,746 hits. The city is hosting a safety program hosting a flagger training and a meeting with Kirby Hospital regarding skin cancer. Allsop wanted to respond to a letter to the editor stating this road would be a bypass around Monticello on the east side of town. He explained that the city asked Chastain and Associates to come over and let them know where would be a good place to put a north/south street on the east side of town. This information was going to be used for future references for years down the road. There suggestion was to put a street right through the Methodist Church land, which that will never happen. The other landowners to the north said they did not want anything to do with that either. At this time, nothing will be done about a north/south street at this time. Allsop presented a power point showing pictures of the floodwaters around town.
In the Public Participation, Jesse asked if the lights could be redone do to when anything is shown on the screen the audience could see better. Steve Shreffler told the council they should show fairness to other citizens regarding the curb and gutter decision in Turtle Point.
A motion was made by Alderman Hayes, seconded by Alderman Corrie to adjourn at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by,
RENÉE M. FRUENDT, City Clerk for
the City of Monticello, Illinois
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