Minutes of Regular Meeting
November 3, 2009

Mayor Thomas F. Jones called the Regular Meeting to order on November 3, 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, and William Dees. Alderman Cailey was absent.

Mayor Jones recognized Jim Simpson from Simpson Insurance. The renewal date for General Liability, Property, and Worker Compensation Insurance is December 1, 2009. The rates rose slightly from last year and information was given regarding the rates. The total for all insurance submitted is $250,872.00. No action will be taken tonight regarding the insurance.

Mayor Jones advised that #2 from the consent agenda is moved to #7 on Old Business. Alderman Ellinger requested #1 be removed from the consent agenda and put on #8 of Old Business. Mayor Jones made the move.

The report of Department Heads is attached. The Water Department did not provide a report.

Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Timmons, seconded by Dees to approve the following items on the consent agenda:
Reading of Minutes
Report of City Clerk
Authorization to Transfer Funds and to Pay Bills
A motion to grant a request from the VFW Post to designate a handicap parking space in front of the VFW building located at 215 West Ryder Street and to place a sticker on the sign when the motion was approved.
A motion to approve the bid from D&K Tree Service for removal of eleven (11) trees for the amount of $5,160, contingent on proof of insurance.
A motion to approve the replacement of the Control Building Roof at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and to authorize payment to Young's Roofing for an amount not to exceed $18,300.
A motion to approve payment to Precision Control Systems of Indianapolis, Inc., for the emergency repair to the Programmable Log Controller at the Wastewater Treatment Plant for a cost not to exceed $1,672.


The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, and Dees
Nays: None
Absent: Alderman Cailey
Motion carried

Old Business

Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Timmons to authorize the City Attorney to join, on behalf of the City, the Atrazine Class Action Lawsuit. Alderman Dees asked Attorney Hantla for some details. Alderman Dees then made an amended motion to table the issue for 30 days for some deliberation. Alderman Ostendorf seconded the amended motion. The Mayor called for a voice vote, amended motion failed.

The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll on the original motion which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, and Dees
Nays: None
Absent: Alderman Cailey
Motion carried

Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wise to approve the revolving Loan Fund request to Roy and Diane Dunning to be transferred to Dunning Partners, LLC in the amount of $105,000. Ken Elmore spoke regarding the request. The City would be taking a 3rd position on the building and grounds. The Business meets the qualifications for the revolving loan. The 1st and 2nd loan positions total $400,000. Both the 1st and 2nd are a 5 year term and the City's loan would be 7 years.

The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, and Dees
Nays: None
Absent: Alderman Cailey
Motion carried

Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Ostendorf to approve an Ordinance prohibiting parking on Ryder Street, between Jackson Street and Illinois Avenue, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding Holidays. Also, to place a sticker on the back of the sign stating when the Ordinance was enacted. (1st Reading). Alderman Timmons asked if we could repeal the Ordinance after a period if not satisfied, Attorney Hantla advised you could repeal. Mayor Jones called for a voice vote, all ayes motion carried.

Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wise to approve a contract with Blackboard Connect for a community-wide communication network system for a cost of $1.91 per household, per year. Alderman Ellinger had some questions for Police Chief Wilkinson. Ellinger asked the motion be amended to approve a contract with Blackboard Connect for households receiving City services for a cost of $1.91 per household, per year. Alderman Dees made a motion to accept the amended motion, seconded by Timmons. Mayor Jones called for a voice vote, all ayes motion carried.

Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Timmons to approve Illinois Meter, Inc., of Springfield, IL to install an Insta-Valve on one of the ten-inch water lines running from near the Litchfield Reservoir to the corporate limits for the price not to exceed $8,000. Mayor Jones called for a voice vote, all ayes motion carried.

Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Wise to approve an Ordinance prohibiting parking on Ryder Street, between Jackson Street and Illinois Avenue, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding Holidays. Also, to place a sticker on the back of the sign stating when the Ordinance was enacted. (2nd Reading)

The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, and Dees
Nays: None
Absent: Alderman Cailey
Motion carried

Alderman Ostendorf made a motion, seconded by Alderman Dees to authorize the City Attorney to proceed with legal action to collect unpaid fees from individual homeowners that have not paid for suppression services provided by Litchfield Fire Department.
Attorney Hantla spoke regarding the collection. He can get a judgment, but collection could be a problem. He recommends sending this to a collection agency on a contingency basis. Alderman Ostendorf made a amended motion, seconded by Alderman Wise to authorize the City Attorney to forward letters to collect the unpaid fees from individual homeowners for serviced performed by the Litchfield Fire Department. If not paid, the bill will be forwarded to a collection agency on a contingency basis. Mayor Jones directed a voice call on amended motion, motion carried.

Alderman Ellinger made a motion seconded by Alderman Dees to approve an Ordinance Adopting the 2009 Real Estate Tax Levy. (1st Reading). Alderman Ellinger removed from the consent agenda as he feels the City should be looking at other cuts rather than raising taxes.

The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Timmons, Law, Ostendorf, and Dees
Nays: Sisson, Ellinger
Absent: Alderman Cailey
Motion carried

Mayor Jones asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting until November 18, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. to discuss the Simpson Insurance Proposal and the sale of surplus property. Alderman Ellinger made a motion at 7:32 pm, seconded by Timmons to adjourn until November 18, 2009. The Mayor directed a voice call vote, all ayes, motion carried.


Attest:

Denise M. Lueker
City Clerk

Approved:
Thomas F. Jones
Mayor