Minutes of Regular Meeting

Litchfield City Council

May 4, 2010





Mayor Thomas F Jones called the Regular Meeting to order on May 4, 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 Shawn Powell. Shawn is the co-partner of Litchfield Sports Complex. Litchfield Sports is adding a 28,000 square foot expansion onto their existing building for the purpose of adding basketball courts. They are planning on holding tournaments and are requesting financial assistance from the City of Litchfield. The new addition will hold approximately 300-400 seats and will benefit Litchfield economically and from a tourism standpoint. They will have a proposal to present to the Council at the next meeting June 1, 2010.





Consent Agenda



Alderman Timmons made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wise to approve the following items on the consent agenda:

Reading of Minutes

Report of Departments and City Clerk

Authorization to Transfer Funds and to Pay Bills



A motion to approve an Ordinance annexing territory into the City of Litchfield, Montgomery County, Illinois. (Lioness Property) (2nd Reading)

A motion to approve an Ordinance amending Ordinance Number 2991. (Country Club Annexation) (2nd Reading)

A motion to approve an ordinance creating two additional Class E Liquor Licenses to be used in the City of Litchfield, IL. (1st Reading)

A motion to approve the City of Litchfield City Clerk's Office to raise the rate on the return check fee for insufficient funds charge from $15.00 per check to $25.00 per check, effective June 1, 2010.

A motion to accept, advertise and purchase the equipment defined in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Fire Act Grant EMW-2009-FO-06343. The equipment is for a direct capture carbon particulate extraction system and to allow the City Administrator to award the lowest responsive bidder and to sign the contract for installation for an amount not to exceed $68,000 and to direct the City Clerk to issue check(s) as needed. The City's share of this grant is $3,400.

A motion for Council to approve the purchase and installation of radio equipment from C&K Communications as Phase I of a two part Radio Conversion in the Police Department, to enhance Office Safety and meet FCC specifications, for an amount of $4,946.25. The City's obligation for this would be $546.25.

A motion to approve an Ordinance declaring bicycles, attached to Council letter, as surplus and to be disposed of pursuant to the discretion of the City Administrator. (1st Reading)

A motion to approve the bid and purchase of $3,331.72 for a 2010 John Deere Mower, Model #690 and to direct the City Clerk to cut a check. The mower is through the State Bid Contract from Timmerman's in Litchfield.

A motion to grant an easement to AmerenIP to extend electrical service for the cabin campground.

A motion to approve the purchase of Insta-Valve equipment from Illinois Meter Utility Supply for the amount not to exceed $10,700.

A motion to approve an Ordinance declaring a 1998 Dodge Ram pick-up truck, VIN #1B7HC16X0WS621840, as surplus and to authorize the City Administrator to dispose of these items. (1st Reading)

A motion to approve pay request #3 in the amount of $42,581.45 to Freeman Environmental Services, Inc., for work completed on the Sargent Street Water Main Replacement project.

A motion to authorize the Mayor to execute a no cost change order to extend the City of Litchfield Water Treatment Plant, Demolition and Site Restoration contract.



Old Business



Alderman Dees made a motion seconded by Alderman Wise to authorize the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance imposing a fee for the licensing of vending machines used to dispense goods or services for which a licensing fee is not already imposed. The exception being stamp machines and lottery ticket machines. A public hearing will be held at the June Council Meeting regarding this ordinance. City Attorney Hantla advised of the need to have a Public Hearing before a motion can be made. Alderman Dees, seconded by Alderman Wise agreed to drop the motion and hold the matter under discussion only. Alderman Ostendorf questioned what vending machines to which this would apply. City Attorney advised this is a Public Health issue only and not being done to raise revenue so the machines taxed would be for food products. Alderman Ostendorf would like the Ordinance to specify what this would cover and who is responsible for the fee. Attorney Hantla advised the owner of the machine would be responsible. Alderman Dees asked if this is a new ordinance and would there be a license on each machine or on the company owning the machines as a bulk rate. Attorney Hantla advised this would have be outlined in the proposed ordinance. Alderman Timmons stated he believes the County maintains the Public Health Standards and not the City. The Mayor and City Administrator will review who is responsible for public health.



Alderman Dees made a motion, seconded by Alderman Timmons to approve pay request #3 in the amount of $36,000 to S & S Excavating & Demolition, Inc. for work completed on the water plant demolition construction contract. City Attorney Hantla wants to make sure the proper retainage is being held back. Ted LaBelle advised the contract was for $230,000 and the City has paid to date approximately $164,000. There is a 10% retainage being held. Alderman Dees seconded by Alderman Timmons agreed to amend the motion to include the authorization of the City Clerk to write a check in the amount of $36,000 to S & S Excavating.



The Mayor directed the City Clerk to call a roll call vote which resulted in the following:

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

Nays: None

Motion Carried.



Alderman Dees made a motion seconded by Alderman Timmons to approve an Ordinance amending Section 151.020-Building Permits. (1st Reading). The Mayor advised this is the demolition permit.



The Mayor directed the City Clerk to call a roll call vote which resulted in the following:

Ayes: Aldermen Wise, Timmons, Law, Dees and Cailey.

Nays: Aldermen Sisson, Ellinger, Ostendorf

Motion Carried.



New Business



Alderman Timmons made a motion seconded by Alderman Dees to approve a contract with Peoples EDC for an amount not to exceed 3,400 for grant writing services. The Mayor directed a voice vote, motion carried

Alderman Timmons made a motion seconded by Alderman Cailey to approve a Resolution of Support for the City application for CDAP Flex Funds. The Mayor directed a voice vote, motion carried.

Alderman Timmons made a motion seconded by Alderman Dees to approve a Local Government Certification for CDAP Flex Fund application. The Mayor directed a voice vote, motion carried.

Alderman Timmons made a motion seconded by Alderman Cailey to approve a Disclosure Certification for CDAP Flex Fund Application. The Mayor directed a voice vote, motion carried.

Alderman Timmons made a motion seconded by Alderman Dees to approve an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for CDAP Flex Fund Application. Attorney Hantla advised the motion should read "A motion to enter into an intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for CDAP Flex Fund Application". Alderman Timmons, seconded by Alderman Dees agreed to amend the motion to the wording recommended by the City Attorney. The Mayor directed a voice vote, motion carried.

Alderman Timmons made a motion seconded by Alderman Dees to approve a council resolution committing local government funds for CDAP Flex Fund Application, if applicable. The Mayor directed a voice vote, motion carried.



The Mayor announced the following appointments:

Tim Bergman - 3 year term - Lake Advisory Committee

John Lueker - 5 year term - Zoning Board of Appeals

Dawn Pezold - 5 year term - Zoning Board of Appeals

Betty Simmons - 5 year term - Zoning Board of Appeals

Charles Roper - 2 year term - Police Pension

Tim Reents - 3 year term - Police and Fire Commission

Joe Goeke - 3 year term - Planning Commission

Dorothy Mansholt - 3 year term - Planning Commission

Susan Griffin Brackenhoff - 4 year term - Economic Development Commission

Phil Sisson - 5 year term - Airport Authority

Justin Laughlin - 3 year term - Tourism Advisory Committee

Denise Delacruz - 3 year term - Tourism Advisory Committee

Scott Haenel - appointment as Dive Master for the Litchfield Fire Department



Alderman Cailey made a motion, seconded by Alderman Ostendorf to accept the appointments. The Mayor directed a voice vote, motion carried.



City Administrator Andy Ritchie gave an update on the Clinton Street Closure and Verasun.



Alderman Ellinger made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Dees, meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm





Attest:

Denise M. Lueker

City Clerk



Approved:

Thomas F. Jones

Mayor