City of Sterling Mayor & Council met March 6.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
Mayor Charles Skip" Lee Called a meeting of the Sterling City Council to order at 6:30 pm on Monday, March 6, 2017. Roll Call. Present: Aldermen Bob Conklin, Retha Elston, Joe Martin, Christopher Schuchard, John Stauter, and Christine Wien. Absent: None.
Also present were City Attorney Matt Keegan, City Manager Scott Shumard, Finance Director Cindy Von Holten, Superintendent of Building and Zoning Amanda Schmidt, Fire Chief Gary Cook, Police Chief Tim Morgan, and City Clerk Marie Rombouts.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Michael Rizzo, a landowner in Whiteside County, shared his Concerns about the 911 Consolidation and the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Rock Falls and the County. He feels the Consolidation is being dominated by law enforcement. He believes the County will push this agreement through at their March 21 meeting. He has had crime at his family farm and his interactions with the Sheriff's office and dispatch have not been good. The County has attached their proposed IGA to their February minutes.
Terry Lynch, resident of Ward Four in Sterling, asked when the tax will be implemented that the Council voted on 4 to 3 to pass and when will the next tax go into effect. Mayor Lee explained that the 4 to 3 vote was the tax levy that will be effective this year. The question on the ballot will be for an additional /2% sales tax. Lynch Confirmed that this goes to the voters and asked why the other vote was not proposed to the citizens. Mayor Lee explained the tax levy is passed annually to determine property taxes to Support City Services and pensions, while the ballot question must go before the citizens to increase the Sales tax.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A) Minutes from February 21, 2017
B) Bills and Payroll totaling $531,755.30
The motion was seconded by Alderman Conklin. Voting: Ayes - Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and Willen. Nayes - None. Motion Carried.
Mayor Lee recognized Janna Groharing for her exemplary Work with Sterling Main Street. Groharing stated that Sterling Main Street board members were present to tell their story. Brian Grummert remarked that in 2010 he was the only business in the 400 block of LOCust. Mead's Bike Shop and NICIL Worked with Sterling Main Street to receive façade grants and then the Sterling Theater reopened. Grummert is proud to be a part of the downtown.
Sheila Martinez Sated that she has been a part of Sterling Main Street when they received acCreditation in 2008. Main Street has moved their office around in the downtown When busineSSes Seek a new location, Such as the Rusty Fox.
Nick Lareau has called Sterling home for four years. He has been on the board for 3/2 years. He has many clients talk about what the town use to be or that it will never be what is was before. Lareau's philosophy is to leave it better than you found it. On the other hand, he met a young man for lunch and as they walked back to his office, the young man was pleased to see that the downtown theater was open again.
Grummert closed by informing the Council how Sterling Main Street uses the Strategic Plan to Coordinate their mission with the City's. He encouraged the Council to Contact them with any questions or Concerns.
Mayor Lee applauded the Cooperation of Sterling Main Street, the Chamber, and GSDC. An example is the World Series Championship Trophy. Brian Garza, a Sterling native, has been with the Chicago Cubs for 23 years and Contacted Sterling to make arrangements for a viewing of the trophy. With quick Coordination, the trophy will be on display at Challand Middle School on Thursday, March 9, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Groharing announced there will be 500 entry tickets distributed. People may line up at 3:45 pm. A VIP viewing will be at 5:30 with public viewing from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
Groharing also reminded everyone to vote on the site, Independent We Stand". We were in the top 25 last year and we have another opportunity to win up to $25,000 for Sterling Main Street. Please Contact Groharing with any questions.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve Ordinance #2017-03-01 Amending the Special Use Permit for 2811 Locust to expand the ground area for equipment and an equipment shelter; Seconded by Alderman Martin. Superintendent Schmidt stated another Company Wanted to Co-locate at this site. An expansion of the Special Use Was not necessary to add onto the antenna but a generator and equipment shed will be added. Voting: Ayes-Alderman Conklin, Elston, Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and Willen. Nayes - None. Motion Carried.
Alderman Stauter made a motion to table Ordinance #2017-03-02 Amending Chapter 54, Article 1, Section 27 of the Sterling City Code, Creating the position of Deputy Chief with the Police Department for more information; seconded by Alderman Schuchard. Voting: Ayes-Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and Wilen. Nayes - None. Motion Carried.
Alderman Martin made a motion to authorize the Mayor to submit a letter of No Objection" to the Whiteside County Zoning Office for a petition from Peter Harkness andBusy Properties, LLC to rezone property west of 3705 Emerson Road from County A1/R-1 (Agricultural/Residential) to County B-2 (Business) and encourage the County to ask the property Owner for buffering, landscaping, noise reduction, and Water drainage to protect the existing residential uses; seconded by Alderman Elston. Manager Shumard stated this property is within 1/2 miles of the City. If the City does object, the County needs a 2/3 vote to approve the petition. Shumard reminded everyone that the problems can become City problems when they are annexed in the future. Answering a variety of questions, Superintendent Schmidt reported the property is not close to City limits at this time. Following rezoning, any appropriate use can occur, not just storage buildings. Voting: Ayes-Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and Wilen. Nayes - None. Motion Carried.
Chief Morgan introduced Brinkley, the new Community Dog (Golden Retriever puppy). Officer Diehl and Lt. Mohr picked her up in Kalamazoo, Michigan last week. The City has had everything donated. Morgan also reported the great turnout for the 80 beds for 80 kids project last weekend at the YMCA, with help from the Chamber.
Manager Shumard reported that Superintendent Schrader was not here because his daughter is playing basketball on the Sauk Valley Community College team. They just took the Region 4 Championship. Shumard reported there will be a dispatch Consolidation meeting on Wednesday. Next Council meeting, we will have a study session to discuss the Police Deputy Chief position.
Alderman Martin reminded citizens that yard waste Collection will start next week.
Alderman Wilen reported a tree that had fallen at 1307 Seventh Avenue on private property and asked what could be done. Superintendent Schmidt advised that it is a civil matter between the property owners. Manager Shumard stated the Tree Board Could may be able to help with this issue. Wilen also received a complaint from a resident in the 500 block of East 19th Street who is Concerned that her street needs repairs and her property values will depreciate. Manager Shumard stated that the engineers are Working on the list for this year's projects.
Alderman Elston thanked Superintendent Schmidt for helping with a property issue.
Alderman Stauter thanked Janna Groharing and the Main Street Crew for what they do in this community.
Alderman Schuchard Was thankful that last Week's Storm missed Our area. Ottawa Was not So fortunate.
Mayor Lee reminded everyone that We set the clocks forward this Weekend. Lee thanked the City for the nice floral arrangement for his wife, Sue, following her recent knee Surgery.
Alderman Schuchard made a motion to move to closed session" at 7:34pm to discuss personnel matters as Covered under SubSection (1) of 5 ILCS 120/2(C); Seconded by Alderman Conklin. Voting: Ayes-Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and Wilen. Nayes - NOne. Motion Carried.
Alderman Martin made a motion to reconvene the open meeting at 7:53 pm; Seconded by Alderman Wilen. Voting: Ayes-Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and Wilen. Nayes - None. Motion Carried.
The regular meeting Was adjourned to a budget study Session at 7:57 pm.
Manger Shumard reviewed the following budgets:
Band - Created in 1919 and the Grandon Center Was built in 1938. Shumard Shared a few proposals for redesigning the Grandon Civic Center. TIF funds can be used in for this.
SIDC - Controls land in the Industrial Park and funds GSDC to run the incubator. SIDC has Committed $10,000 for three Consecutive years to support the Small Business Development Center at Sauk Valley Community College.
IMRF - trying to work reserves down in this account. When tax levy is set, Sterling's Contribution level haS not been determined.
Social Security - based on Salaries.
Rock River TIF - the Best Cobb building will likely be demolished because of its Construction.
IGIG Grant Fund - ready to be closed out.
Mud to Parks Grant Fund-ready to closed out
BRP Grant - Superintendent Schmidt stated that we have asked for an extension to expend $135,000 in remaining funds.
APP Grant - $71,000 has been awarded.
Manger Shumard informed the Council that the Library and Health Insurance budgets will be reviewed at the next meeting. On March 24 the budget will be displayed. A public hearing will be held on April 3 with adoption on April 17.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:46 pm.
http://www.sterling-il.gov/docs/meetings/minutes/cc030617.pdf
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