Minutes of Regular Meeting
September 1, 2009


Mayor Thomas F. Jones called the Regular Meeting to order on September 1, 2009 at 7:00 pm. The pledge of Allegiance was recited. Present on roll call were Gary Wise, Marilyn Sisson, Harold Ellinger Jr., Pat Timmons, Robert Ostendorf, Gary Law, William Dees and Gene Cailey.

Mayor Jones asked that we recognize Whitey Patton of Patton and Associates under new Business as he had to leave the meeting early. Mr. Patton gave the audit report for the City of Litchfield for the 08-09 year. Problems might arise in the funding of the Police and Fire Pension as a result of the low interest rates. In this audit the sales tax plus new sales tax was $3,100,000. In 1999 the same sales tax was $1,400,000. Sales Tax Revenue is very important to the City as the Interest Income is down $123,000. We only get 18% of our revenue from Property Tax and we are one of the few communities that does not have a utility nor telecommunication tax.

Per the audit, the City of Litchfield is in good shape. Alderman Dees asked if a special fund could be created to fund the Police/Fire Pension. For that to occur, a truth and taxation hearing would need to be held.

A motion was made by Timmons, seconded by Cailey to approve the audit. Motion carried on a roll call vote:
Ayes: Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, Dees, Cailey
Nayes: None

A motion was made by Ostendorf, seconded by Cailey to appoint John Lueker to fill unexpired term of Zoning Board for 1 year and Reggie Waldrup to fill unexpired term of Zoning Board for 4 years. A voice vote was taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Dees, seconded by Timmons to approve the following items on the constent agenda:
Reading of minutes
Report of City Clerk
Authorization to Transfer Funds and to Pay Bills
A motion to approve an Ordinance granting a special use permit to Charles Fenton to build a duplex at 507 East Water Street with the condition that construction start on or before February 10, 2010 and construction be completed on or before August 10, 2010.
A motion to approve the placement of stop signs, in both north and southbound directions, on E. Columbian Blvd. at which is commonly referred to as the "Jubelts's cut-through" or the first US Route 66 access south of the intersection of West Kirkham Street and East Columbian Blvd. Stop Sign to have on back of it the date the ordinance was approved. (1st reading)
A motion to declare a 1993 Chevrolet Truck, VIN # 1GCFC24K5PZ191834 and a GMC Custom 2500, VIN KM20DPB27210, as surplus and to authorize the disposal of these vehicles via sealed bid.
A motion to approve the financing for the purchase of a heavy duty one ton dump truck via the State Bid process, from Litchfield National Bank for $17,963.03 annually over three years beginning with the first payment due a year after the loan agreement is signed. This vehicle will be purchased from Landmark Ford in Springfield.
A motion to accept the bid of $21,250 from Wayne Davis Excavating and Trucking for clearing approximately 1,200 feet of the area known as the South Side Ditch.
A motion to change the members of the Water Plant Construction Change Order committee from City Administrator Andy Ritchie, Mayor Tom Jones and Alderman Sylvester Jarman to City Administrator Andy Ritchie, Mayor Tom Jones and Alderman Bill Dees.
The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, Dees, Cailey
Nayes: None
Motion Carried


Old Business-

A motion was made by Timmons, seconded by Cailey to authorize the Mayor to sign a Letter of Intent to Lease Real Estate with Renewable Energy Training Institute, Inc. Alderman Ostendorf questioned why we are not auctioning property for a fair price or wants detail of lease now. City Attorney Hantla said this is a letter of intent only, not a contract and we are not bound by agreement. Intent is so the group may apply for grants. Alderman Ellinger pointed out the intent ties up the property for 12 months until 9/30/10. The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Dees, Cailey
Nayes: Aldermen Sisson, Ostendorf
Motion Carried

A motion was made by Timmons seconded by Ostendorf to allow the City Attorney to begin the condemnation process for 4 properties: 1511 N. Van Buren St., 704 N. Monroe St., 1217 N. Franklin St. and 1622 N. Monroe St. City Attorney Hantla recommended we remove 1511 N Van Buren and buy from owner for back taxes. Alderman Timmons amended the motion to just 704 N. Monroe, 1217 N. Franklin and 1622 N. Monroe, seconded by Ostendorf. A voice vote was taken, all ayes, motion carried.

A motion was made by Timmons, seconded by Law to approve an Ordinance placing stop signs, in both north and southbound directions, on E. Columbian Blvd at which is commonly referred to as the "Jubelt's cut-through" or the first US Route 66 access south of the intersection of West Kirkham Street and East Columbian Blvd. Stop Sign to have on back of it the date the ordinance was approved. (2nd Reading)
Alderman Ellinger questioned as to why seconding reading in same meeting. City Attorney and City Administrator Ritchie advised this is a safety issue priority. The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, Dees, Cailey
Nayes: None
Motion Carried

New Business

A motion was made by Alderman Dees seconded by Alderman Ostendorf to approve payment for the emergency repair of two primary influent pump motors from F.B. Williams Electric Company for $4,810. A voice vote was taken, all ayes.

A motion was made by Alderman Dees seconded by Alderman Cailey to discuss ordinance modification to the City of Litchfield budget to authorize accepting the 1/2% sales tax collections approved in the April 2009 City of Litchfield referendum (2nd Reading). The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, Dees, Cailey
Nayes: None
Motion Carried

Item #3 on the agenda was deleted and item #4 was discussed at the beginning of the meeting.

A motion was made by Alderman Dees, seconded by Alderman Timmons to authorize the City Clerk to issue a check for the NPDES Permit Fee for the Water plant Demolition in the amount of $500. A voice vote was taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Department Reports

CMT-Ted Labelle-went over projects
Water Treatment Plant
-punchlist final
- close out meeting in next few weeks
- Demolition of old plant bids are due in 9/29/09
-Walton Lake Dam in process
-Walnut St. Pump Station

EMC-Dave Kitzmiller
-treatment facilities performing well
-lab safety training
-4,390 days without accident
-repair to clarifier

Water-Ray Weller
-went through total gallons used

Building-Marshall Wright
-46 permits issued
-2 demolitions
-RR caboose moved out of town
-3 large projects this month, St. Timothy's Methodist, M & M Service, LHS School Trades

Lake-Jim Cadwell
-IDNR removing fish from Walton Park to put in Lake Lou

Streets-Art Levoy
-repairing water main breaks
-cleaning lift stations
-installing new valves
-750 tons new asphalt, 9000 gallons oil, 400 tons rock, placed 18 yards concrete

Fire-Matt Weber
-boat races no incidents
-brush truck in service
-day care inspections start 9/15/09
-Osborne CPA reviewing Ambulance reports
-hazmatt awareness training
-Firefighter appreciation dinner 9/24/09
-Alderman Ellinger asked for more specifics on Daycare inspections.

Police-BJ Wilkinson
-50 cases open, 20% felony
-boat races cost to City, 196 man hours. Changed schedules to not use OT, only used $500 in OT.
-collect tires at Saxby Oil to build live gun fire training house.

EDC-Tonya
-Schutt still in negotiations
-Downtown streetscape
-Festival of Trees weekend before Thanksgiving



Mayor Jones asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting until September 10, 2009 at 6:15 pm to continue negotiations with Schutt. Alderman Cailey made the motion seconded by Alderman Timmons. A voice vote was taken, all ayes except Alderman Ostendorf, who voted naye, motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderman Ostendorf to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Timmons, meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Approved:
Thomas F. Jones
Mayor


Attest:
Denise M. Lueker
City Clerk