City of Rock Falls Council met April 28.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of Rock Falls, Illinois was called to Order by Mayor William B. Wescott at 6:30 p.m. April 18th, 2017 in the Council Chambers of Rock Falls,
City Clerk Eric Arduini called the roll following the pledge of allegiance. A quorum was present including Aldermen Reitzel, Logan, Snow, Kuhlemier, Schuneman, Kleckler, and Folsom. In addition City Attorney Jim Reese and City Administrator Robbin Blackert were present,
Audience Requests:
Roger Van Ausdal of 511 E. 26th Street in Sterling approached the Council in support of the leaf burning ban. He works at the Rock Falls Post Office, and said that many co-workers spend 8 hours a day outside. Most of the postal carriers agree with no burning, and he had a list of signatures to be added to the record.
Renee Henry stated that she has lived in Rock Falls for 20 years, and is in support of the burn ban, She would also like fire pits banned. During the first nice day of this spring, she had three neighbors with fire pits burning. Her family and neighbors have had health problems, and don't go outside because of Smoke,
Sharon Simester spoke in opposition to the burn ban. She feels that the City should enforce the Ordinances already on the books. If the City is concerned about tourism more people will be more deterred by the shootings downtown than what is in the air,
Lee Bardo addressed the Council. He lives outside of the city limits. His neighbor burned 24/7. He asked what the city is going to do about pesticides being sprayed around the town. He mentioned that the former Parrish Alford site is not cleaned up.
Community Affairs:
President/CEO, Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce Bethany Bland informed the Council about upcoming events. She Highlighted the Sauk Valley Leadership Program which has now had 40 speakers give presentations.
The Farmer's Market opens in May. There are no fees to sell, and a variety of sellers may register, Whitney Forward is the new Farmer's Market Director, Sesquicentennial Parade forms can be found at the Chamber website. The Community Garage Sales will be May 19th - 21st,
Alderman Snow said it looks like a busy spring and Summer.
Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda was read aloud by Clerk Arduini. A motion to approve the Consent agenda by omnibus designation was made by Alderman Shuneman, and second by Alderman Snow.
1. Approve the Minutes of the April 4th, 2017 Regular Council Meeting
2. Approval of bills as presented
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
Ordinances for Second Reading and Adoption;
A motion was made by Alderman Snow and second by Alderman Schuneman for the adoption of Ordinance 2017-2303 Authorizing Lease of Real Estate for a Cellular Tower.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
A motion was made by Alderman Kuhlemier and second by Alderman Logan for the adoption of Ordinance 2017-2304 Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
A motion was made by Alderman Reitzel and second by Alderman Snow for the adoption of Ordinance 2017-2305 vacating a portion of alley south of Ada Street.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
A motion was made by Alderman Snow and second by Alderman Logan for the adoption of Ordinance 2017-2306 adding Article VI to Chapter 20 - Open Burning
Alderman Schuneman stated his objection that this ordinance, and 2017-2307 are not an emergency, The ordinances should have comeback to Committee for review, and the Ordinance Sent out of the committee seemed somewhat flawed that it now takes two ordinances. The City should not skip the committee process unless it is an emergency. He would like to see the justification to go against the Surveys that were sent out as Sterling did. His Mom Said that just because Sterling jumps off a bridge, it doesn't mean we have to.
Alderman Kuhlemier inquired about the continued use of burning rings and recreational fires. Police Chief Nelson answered his questions and has not had complaints from recreational fires.
Alderman Kleckler said that people would like to see the ordinance enforced the way it is.
Attorney Reese informed the Council that this prohibits the burning of yard waste, not recreational fires. Yard waste was addressed in another part of the Code, and the two ordinances had to be drafted to prevent a conflict. Vote 3 aye, 4 nay (Kuhlemier, Schuneman, Kleckler, Folsom) motion failed
A motion was made by Alderman Snow and second by Alderman Logan for the adoption of Ordinance 2017-2307 adding Article VI to Chapter 20 - Open Burning
Vote 3 aye, 4 nay (Kuhlemier, Schuneman, Kleckler, Folsom) motion failed
A motion was made by Alderman Schuneman and second by Alderman Folsom for the adoption of Ordinance 2017-2308 amending Article XI of Chapter 6 - Private Outdoor Pools.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
A motion was made by Alderman Schuneman and second by Alderman Folsom for the adoption of Ordinance 2017-2311 amending Section 34-283 and 34-284. Uses for B-1 Zoning.
Alderman Klecker made a motion to amend the ordinance to also include items 1 and 2 to Section 1 of the ordinance. There was no second for this motion, Vote 6 aye, motion carried Alderman Snow recused himself from this vote
A motion was made by Alderman Schuneman and second by Alderman Kuhlemier for the adoption of Ordinance 2017-2312 amending Section 16390-1 Special use permit,
Vote 6 aye, motion carried Alderman Snow recused himself from this vote
City Administrator Robbin D. Blackert:
City Administrator Robbin Blackert presented the budget summary to the Council. Some of the highlights were:
- An increase in revenue projected from USEPA, and Illinois EPA for the assessment of the Limestone Building, and increase in rural fire contributions.
- An increase in expenditures in Police, and Fire due to the state mandated Consolidated dispatch.
- A decrease in Street Department expenditures due to a surplus of road salt,
- RP3 Award for the Electric Department,
- This is the final year of the Garbage contract,
- Bond funds for Gigabit Broadband project,
- The total budget is $26,151,189 which is a surplus of $33.00.
- IMEA Municipality of the Year.
- Source Water Protection
Award Administrator Blackert thanked the Aldermen, and Department heads for their work on the budget.
A motion was made by Alderman Kuhlemier, and second by Alderman Logan for the adoption of the FY18 budget.
Alderman Kuhlemier stated that Alderman Logan and he had been in a meeting with Standard and Poor's, and the City is in a strong position. The credit goes to Administrator Blackert, and the City workers.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
City Engineer Brian Frickenstein
Brian Frickenstein informed the Council that about 40 loads of black dirt has been added to the RB&W District site. Trees have been planted, and laying sod will be next,
A motion was made by Alderman Reitzel and second by Alderman Schuneman for the approval of the Engineering Services agreement for the Galt Avenue road project, Design phase engineering not to exceed $15,000, and construction engineering not to exceed $14,000,
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
Department Heads:
Mayor Wescott acknowledged the work that the Police Department has done since the events that happened downtown on Saturday. The City is blessed to have the leadership of Chief Tammy Nelson, as well as the detectives, and all of the officers involved. No one wants it, but Our Police acted in a professional, and expedient manner. Our Department also received the support of other departments from around the area.
Building Department - Mark Searing
A motion was made by Alderman Snow and second by Alderman Schuneman for the approval of the recommendation from the Building Code Committee to accept the lawn maintenance bid from Burger Brothers Trucking and Excavating. P.O. Box 107 Rock Falls, IIllinois.
Attorney Reese asked about the justification for not accepting the bid of the low bidder. Administrator Blackert and Alderman Kleckler explained thst the low bidder was not responsible as the bid was far too low to mow as bid, not including travel from Davenport Iowa.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
Inspector Searing informed the Council the Building Permit for Dunkin Donuts has been approved, and the location should be staked out for construction by the end of the Week,
Water Department - Ted Padilla
A motion was made by Alderman Snow and second by Alderman Schuneman for the approval of the purchase of commercial water meters from Ferguson Waterworks 1720State Street Dekalb, Illinois in the amount of $22,438.19. Superintendent Padilla informed the Council that these are larger meters for customers over 2000 units.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
Superintendent Padilla presented the Council with a plumbing survey that was sent out to all residents. When they were sent out only 400 were returned out of 4000. The EPA is requiring that the Water department do inspections for cross connections, and collect information about the material of the service lines.
Tourism - Janell Loos
A motion was made by Alderman Schuneman and second by Alderman Logan for the approval Facade Improvement Grant Application with revisions to the map adding 5th Avenue from west 2nd Street to west 3rd Street.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
Committee Reports
A motion was made by Alderman Reitzel, and second by Alderman Schuneman for the approval of the 2017 road maintenance program.
Vote 6 aye, 1 nay (Kleckler) motion carried
Ward Reports:
Ward 1:
Alderman Logan commended the Rock Falls Police Department along with the Police, Fire, and EMS of Rock Falls and area communities that helped during the recent events.
Ward 2:
Alderman Kuhlemier was very proud of the community by their reaction to the event, He also reminds residents that yard waste is picked up free of charge, and it is a good way to dispose of yard waste without making your neighbors mad.
Alderman Brian Snow thanked the residents in the second ward for voting for him and allowing him to Serve for another four years. Mr. Snow recommends moving the burning Ordinances that did not pass back to the Ordinance Committee. Please call law enforcement if burning is causing a quality of life issue. The Police did a spectacular job handling the incident downtown, and thoughts go out to those that were affected.
Ward 3:
Alderman Schuneman Congratulated Jake Junis, and his family for being called up from AAA to the major leagues for Kansas City,
Mayor's Report:
A motion was made by Alderman Folsom, and second by Alderman Schuneman for the approval of Resolution 2017-759 Approving grant of license to use real estate. The property is owned by David Barajas and will be used for the Sesquicentennial Headquarters. The address is 110 West 2nd Street. This will be from May through August. Alderman Kleckler inquired about insurance requirements.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
Senator Neil Anderson, and Tony McCombie will be guests of Mayor Lee at Candlelight Inn in Sterling on April 21st.
Saturday May 13th is the Sauk Valley Landlord's Association City Cleanup to be held at the RB&W parking lot. All types of TVs will be accepted.
Channel 5 has a picture of a "Mi-Tech" vehicle. These vehicles are in town doing mapping of the City for as part of the municipal broadband implementation,
Mayor Wescott wishes his brother Jeff Wescotta happy 60th birthday and happy retirement from a wonderful career. He worked for the City for 36 years, and is retiring on National Lineman's Day.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Alderman Snow, and second by Alderman Reitzel to enter executive Session for Personnel Section 2(c)(1) and Collective Bargaining Section 2(c) 2.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
City Council enters executive session at 7:38pm
City Council returns to regular session at 8:07pm
Any action taken from Executive Session:
A motion was made by Alderman Snow, and second by Alderman Reitzel for the adoption of Ordinance 2017-2313 Authorizing execution of a Collective Bargaining Agreement 2017-2020 with the FOP Lodge 215.
Vote 7 aye, motion carried
With nothing else for the good of the Council a motion was made by Alderman Snow and second by Alderman Reitzel to adjourn the meeting at 7:16pm.
Viva Voce Vote, motion carried
Meeting is adjourned at 8:09pm
http://www.rockfalls61071.net/download/agendas_and_minutes/2017_agendas_and_minutes/2017_city_council_meetings/2017_city_council_minutes/04-18-2017-City-Council-Minutes.pdf
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