Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 6, 2010

Mayor Thomas F. Jones called the Regular Meeting to order on April 6, 2010 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 recognized Adrian Baker the President of the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Baker spoke in support of the City allocating 100% of the new 1/2% capital sales tax to the Long Term Economic Development Fund.

Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Alderman Timmons, seconded by Alderman Cailey to approve the following items on the consent agenda:
A motion to approve an Ordinance Increasing Ambulance Rates. (2nd Reading)
A motion to approve an Ordinance to eliminate trout line and jug fishing on Lake Lou Yaeger, limit two poles per person and set a creel limit of 6 catfish per person per day. Effective April 1, 2011. (2nd Reading)
A motion to approve an Ordinance revising the budget. (1st Reading)
A motion to approve an Ordinance annexing territory into the City of Litchfield, Montgomery County, Illinois. (Lioness Property) (1st Reading)
A motion to approve an Ordinance Amending Ordinance Number 2991. (Country Club annexation). (1st Reading)
A motion to approve the use of $1,000 per ward of Ward Improvement Funds for the current fiscal year to assist with trash dumpster fees for the Annual Spring Clean-Up campaign and to authorize the City Clerk to cut a check to Stewart Sanitation.
A motion to amend the Downtown Redevelopment Façade Grant Program utilizing TIF revenues by adopting the proposed guidelines and application.
A motion to approve an amendment to the Municipal Code Section 33.31 entitled "Membership" for the Economic Development Commission.
A motion to approve contracting Scott Cowdrey, Designed Architecture, Inc., for services needed for construction drawings and construction administration for the downtown streetscape project at a cost not to exceed $34,900, subject to City Attorney approval.
A motion to approve the purchase of (2) two face pieces for AV-3000 and (2) two Scott, low pressure regulators from MES for the amount of $2,214.
A motion to adopt an Ordinance Changing the Zoning Classification from the current zoning of (A-1) Agricultural to (C-2) General Commercial for the property with a street address of 11006 Airport Trail, Litchfield, Illinois. (1st Reading)
A motion to approve the purchase of a portable stage system from The Stage Depot in the amount of $15,944.74.
A motion to approve a Resolution closing Historic Route 66 on June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of facilitating the 7th Annual Cruisin' Route 66 Classic Car Festival.
A motion to approve a Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code.
A motion to approve the Municipal Estimate of Maintenance Costs for a total of $132,760.
A motion to approve pay request #2 in the amount of $34,697.18 to Freeman Environmental Services, Inc., for work performed on the Sargent Street Water Main Replacement.

The Mayor directed the City Clerk to call the roll on the consent agenda which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, law, Ostendorf, Dees, and Cailey.
Nays: None
Motion Carried.

Old Business

Alderman Dees made a motion seconded by Alderman Ostendorf to award bids
As specified, in April 6 Council Letter and Chemical Bid Tabulations.
The Mayor called for a voice vote, motion carried.

Alderman Dees made a motion to approve the City of Litchfield to pay the 12 cent increase per hour for each City of Litchfield employee participating in the Central Laborer's Pension Fund. This includes Management and Labor. The amount would be an additional cost of $10,800 per year. The motion died for lack of a second.

Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Timmons to approve an Ordinance revising the budget. (2nd Reading)

The Mayor directed the City Clerk to call a roll call vote which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Dees and Cailey
Nayes: Alderman Ostendorf
Absent: None
Motion Carried

Alderman Dees made a motion seconded by Alderman Wise to adopt an Ordinance Changing the Zoning Classification from the current zoning of (A-1)
Agricultural to (C-2) General Commercial for the property with a street address of 11006 Airport Trail, Litchfield, Illinois. (2nd Reading) City Attorney Hantla advised the motion should be amended to include "pending legal description". Alderman Dees made the motion to include the amendment. The Mayor called for a voice vote on the amendment, motion carried.

The Mayor directed the City Clerk to call a roll call vote on the amended motion which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Dees and Cailey
Nays: Alderman Ostendorf
Absent: None
Motion Carried

Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Cailey to purchase a Fire Chief Vehicle as previously budgeted and scheduled and as required by employment contract for an amount not to exceed $28,000.

The Mayor directed the City Clerk to call a roll call vote which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Alderman Wise, Timmons, Law, Dees and Cailey
Nays: Alderman Sisson, Ellinger, Ostendorf
Absent: None
Motion Carried

New Business

Alderman Dees asked to reverse his earlier motion in which he moved for the first 6 months of the new sales tax implemented to go to the Long Term Economic Development Fund which amounts to approximately $374,000. He would like to move this money back to the Capital Sales Tax Fund. Alderman Dees made a motion to reverse his earlier motion and move the New Sales Tax implanted in July 2009 from Long Term Economic Development back to the Capital Sales Tax. This motion was seconded by Alderman Ostendorf. Alderman Dees believes this will allow us more flexibility in the general fund budget. Alderman Wise suggested we leave the money as is and live within our budget.

The Mayor directed the City Clerk to call a roll call vote on the reversal of the original motion which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Alderman Law, Ostendorf, and Dees
Nays: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons Ellinger, and Cailey
Absent: None
Motion denied

Alderman Timmons made a motion seconded by Alderman Dees to approve annual allocation of 100% of the general sales tax revenues equivalent to the new 1/2% capital sales tax to the Long Term Economic Development fund. After some discussion, Alderman Timmons amended his motion to put 80% of general sales tax revenue into the Long Term Economic Development and remaining 20% for infrastructure.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote on amending the motion which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Alderman Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law and Ostendorf
Nays: Alderman Wise, Dees and Cailey
Motion Carried.

The Mayor then directed a roll call vote on the amended motion which would approve annual allocation of 80% of general sales tax revenues equivalent o the new 1/2% sales tax to the Long Term Economic Development Fund.
Ayes: Alderman Ellinger, Law and Ostendorf
Nayes: Aldermen Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Dees and Cailey
Motion failed

Alderman Ostendorf made a motion seconded by Alderman Ellinger the split be 70/30 with 70% going to the Long Term Economic Development Fund and 30% going to infrastructure. City Attorney Hantla advised we were out of order as there were 2 main motions on the floor. Alderman Dees disagreed and after a review of Robert's Rules of Order, City Attorney Hantla was correct. Attorney Hantla suggested the all motions be withdrawn if the person who made the motion and the person who seconded the motion agree. Alderman Timmons and Dees agreed to withdraw their motion of 100% and Alderman Ostendorf and Ellinger agreed to withdraw their motion of 70/30%. It was agreed to vote on the original motion at the end of the meeting.

Alderman Timmons made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wise to purchase two early warning sirens partially being funded with the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service Early Warning Siren Grant and to authorize the City Administrator to award the lowest responsive bid to Global Technical Systems for an amount of $32,757. The grant is for $39,196 and the bid was $32,757. The remaining money will be spent on repeaters to assist police fire, and lake.

The Mayor then directed a roll call vote on the motion which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Ostendorf, Dees and Cailey
Nayes: None
Motion carried.

Alderman Timmons made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wise to purchase a repeater system funded with the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service Early Warning Siren Grant and to authorize the City Administrator to award the lowest responsive phone bid to Advanced Communications for an amount not to exceed $4,336.75.

The Mayor called for a voice vote, motion carried.

Other Business

City Attorney Hantla spoke. The budget was set up with a 80% of capital sales tax going to the Long Term Economic Development fund and 20% going to infrastructure. A vote to adopt the budget is a vote for the 80/20 split. Alderman Dees requested to bring back the motion as presented previously which would allocate 100% of Capital Sales Tax to the Long Term Economic Development Fund. This motion was seconded by Gary Wise.

The Mayor directed a roll call vote which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Alderman Wise, Timmons, Ellinger, Law, Dees and Cailey
Nays: Alderman Ostendorf
Abstain: Alderman Sisson
Motion Carried

Budget director, Levi Suhrenbrock then handed out the budget sheet with the changes for the Long Term Economic Development Fund in the new budget.

Alderman Timmons made a motion seconded by Alderman Cailey to approve an Ordinance adopting the annual budget for the City of Litchfield for the fiscal year May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011. (1st Reading).

The Mayor directed a roll call vote which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Law, Ostendorf, Dees and Cailey
Nay: Alderman Ellinger
Motion Carried

Alderman Timmons made a motion, seconded by Alderman Dees to approve an Ordinance adopting the annual budget for the City of Litchfield for the fiscal year May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011. (2nd Reading)

The Mayor directed a roll call vote which resulted in the following:
Ayes: Alderman Wise, Sisson, Timmons, Law, Dees, and Cailey
Nay: Alderman Ellinger and Ostendorf
Motion Carried.

City Administrator Andy Ritchie spoke. Seven City employees will be leaving employment either by buyouts or incentives. All leaves are voluntary.

City Administer also advised the Fire Chief obtained a Homeland Security Grant for $68,000.

Alderman Ellinger made a motion, seconded by Alderman Ostendorf to adjourn the meeting. A vote voice was taken, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.

Attest:

Denise Meier Lueker
City Clerk

Approved,
Thomas F. Jones
Mayor