Minutes of Regular Meeting

December 3, 2009





Mayor Thomas F. Jones called the Regular Meeting to order on December 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. The pledge of Allegiance was recited. Present on roll call were Gary Wise, Marilyn Sisson, Pay Timmons, Harold Ellinger, Gary Law, Robert Ostendorf, William Dees, and Gene Cailey.



Mayor Jones announced the appointment of Tim Reents to the Police and Fire Commission and Dawn Pezold to the Zoning Board.



The Report of Department Heads were distributed in written form.



Mayor Jones advised that #15 on the Consent agenda is moved to #8 on Old Business. In Old Business, item #5 is the 2nd Reading, not the 1st as listed incorrectly on agenda.



Consent Agenda



A motion was made by Cailey seconded by Timmons, 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 drop Korte & Luitjohan's retainage amount from 10% to 5% for future pay request for work completed on the Downtown Streetscape Project.

A motion to approve the Downtown Façade Grant application submitted by Mark Stieren for the property located a t 202 West Union Avenue for an amount not to exceed $1,618.48 contingent upon the Building Department granting final approval of materials used and work completed.

A motion to approve the Downtown Façade Grant application submitted by E. D. Investments, Inc., for the property located at 226 North State Street for an amount not to exceed $2,500 contingent upon the Building Department granting final approval of materials and paint colors used and work completed.

A motion to approve an Ordinance declaring forty 2216 p.s.i. self contained breathing apparatus air bottles and twenty-one 2216 p.s.i. Draeger Airboss self contained breathing apparatus as surplus and to authorize the City Administrator to dispose of these items. (1st Reading)

A motion to approve payment of invoice from Mac's Fire and Safety for $3,356 for labor and equipment installation charges on the 2009 Ford Hybrid SUV purchased by the Police Department.

A motion to approve an Ordinance declaring a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria Police Car, VIN #2FAFP71W32X109189 as surplus and to authorize the disposal of this vehicle via sealed bid, and for the proceeds of the disposal to be applied toward the purchase of a new K-9 Unit. (1st Reading)

A motion to approve the purchase or lease of a 2009-2010 Chevy Tahoe (2 WD) on State Contract #4014137, offered through Miles Chevrolet in Decatur, to include the transfer of existing and purchase/installation of new equipment for use as the City PD's K-9 patrol car, for a price not to exceed $32,000 from the City's Vehicle Replacement Fund.

A motion to approve matching funds for the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Wayside Exhibit Program in an amount not to exceed $5,000.

A motion to approve pay application #1 in the amount of $32,310 to S & S Excavation, 10% retainage has been deducted from $35,900.

A motion to approve overage of contract to Henry, Meisenheimer & Gende, Inc. for re-rating of Sewer Plant. Amount over is $607.07. Need approval to pay $172.80.

A motion to approve the repair of the Wastewater Treatments Dump Truck for $2,078.23 with a quote from Ponder Equipment.

A motion to approve payment for the emergency electrical work performed by Okawville Electric Company at the Wastewater Treatment Facility for $750.

A motion to approve Alexis Addition, A City Minor Subdivision.

A motion to approve a change order, for an amount not to exceed $13,243 for sealing up a coal chute and backfilling the chute with rock for a piece of property located in the Downtown Streetscape Area.



The Mayor directed the Clerk to call the roll:

Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, Dees and Cailey

Nays: None

Motion Carried



Old Business



Alderman Dees made a motion seconded by Alderman Ellinger to approve the 2010 City Council Finance Meeting and Regular Meeting Dates. Committee meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. and City Council Meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Mayor called for a voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.



Alderman Dees made a motion seconded by Alderman Wise to amend the Jurisdictional Transfer Agreement with the State of Illinois to transfer jurisdiction of East Columbian Boulevard/East Frontage Road, from Kirkham running north to the dead end, behind the Ariston Cafe back to the State of Illinois. In turn, the State of Illinois will sell this excess road/land to the Ariston Cafe. Mayor called for a voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.



Alderman Dees made a motion seconded by Alderman Timmons for the City Council to approve a letter of Intent, if the Park District were to receive a grant, between the City of Litchfield and the Park District to remove sediment from Walton Park Lake. Estimated cost of the project is $250,000 with the City's portion being $40,000.



The Mayor directed the Clerk to call a roll call vote:

Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, Dees and Cailey

Nays: None

Motion Carried



Alderman Dees made a motion to approve and authorize the City Clerk to cut a check for $316.00 payment of a sewer claim to Patrick Reents, 54 Pinewood Road. Also, a letter from the City stating this will be the last time to pay for such a sewer back-up claim and that it will be the homeowner's responsibility to fix the problem so that the sewer does not back up into their basement. Alderman Ostendorf asked for details and City Administrator provided an explanation to why this was the City's problem. The Mayor called for a voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.



Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Ostendorf to approve an Ordinance designating 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. (2nd Reading)



The Mayor directed the Clerk to call a roll call vote:

Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, Dees and Cailey

Nays: None

Motion Carried



Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Timmons to purchase city electricity from a third party vendor. Alderman Ellinger asked which vendor and City Administrator, Andy Ritchie gave an explanation of the process. Alderman Cailey made a motion to table the motion until the next council meeting (30 days), seconded by Alderman Ostendorf to study the contract.



The Mayor directed the Clerk to call a roll call vote:

Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Law, Ostendorf, Dees and Cailey

Nays: Ellinger

Motion Carried



Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Timmons to approve a Real Estate Exchange Agreement between the City of Litchfield and August John Plozizka. City Attorney Brad Hantla advised this has to be passed by a 3/4 majority.



The Mayor directed the Clerk to call a roll call vote:

Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, Dees and Cailey

Nays: None

Motion Carried



Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Cailey to approve an Ordinance Adopting the 2009 Real Estate Tax Levy (2nd Reading). City Attorney Hantla advised this must be passed tonight if we wish to receive our tax levy.



The Mayor directed the Clerk to call a roll call vote:

Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Law, Ostendorf, Dees and Cailey

Nays: Ellinger

Motion Carried



Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Ellinger to adjourn the meeting. The Mayor directed a voice call vote, all ayes, motion carried. The regular meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.







Attest:

Denise M. Lueker

City Clerk





Approve:

Thomas F. Jones

Mayor