City of Sterling Mayor & Council met April 3.
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, April 3, 2017. Roll call. Present: Aldermen Bob Conklin, Retha
Elston, Joe Martin, Christopher Schuchard, John Stauter, and Christine Wilen. Absent:
None.
Also present were City Attorney Matt Keegan, City Manager Scott Shumard, Finance
Director Cindy Von Holten, Superintendent of Public Works Brad Schrader, Fire Chief
Gary Cook, Deputy Fire Chief Mike Dettman, Police Chief Tim Morgan, and City Clerk
Marie Rombouts.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A) Minutes from March 20, 2017
B) Bills and Payroll totaling $980,690.62
C) Petition from Sterling Kiwanis to distribute peanuts for donations on April 22,
2017
D) Resolution #R2017-04-04 to Close the turn lane from Route 40 onto
Second Street for Sterling Main Street’s Annual Car Show on Sunday,
May 7, 2017 from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm
E) Resolution #R2017-04-05 to Close Fourth Street for Memorial Day
Services at Grandon on Monday, May 29, 2017 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
F) Resolution #R2017-04-06 to Close Fourth Street for Movies at Grandon
throughout the summer
The motion was seconded by Alderman Conklin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Elston,
Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and Wilen. Nayes – None. Abstain – Alderman Conklin.
Motion carried.
Chief Cook introduced Ryan Latvaitis, a new firefighter.
Alderman Elston made a motion to pass the Proclamation declaring Thursday, April 6,
2017 as Junior Achievement Day in Sterling; seconded by Alderman Martin. Voting:
Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and Wilen. Nayes –
None. Motion carried.
Alderman Elston made a motion to pass the Proclamation recognizing Public Safety
Telecommunicators Week, April 9 – 15, 2017; seconded by Alderman Schuchard.
Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and Wilen.
Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Manager Shumard reviewed the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the Joint
Dispatch. There is no lease agreement for housing the center in the Sterling Coliseum.
There is no resolution for Sterling’s employee that has more than 400 hours of sick
leave. The IGA will only transfer up to 400 hours of sick leave. Dispatchers will be
paying more for insurance. Allocation of costs has not been resolved. The proposed
allocation is Sterling at 40%, Rock Falls at 30%, and Whiteside County at 30%.
Shumard is concerned about the fairness in this allocation. Sterling and Rock Falls will
be paying their share for services and also contribute to the Special Service Area of the
County through property taxes; thereby paying twice for services. The County has
adopted the IGA and Rock Falls will vote on it at their Tuesday meeting. Total cost is
estimated at $1.1 to $1.2 million. At 40%, Shumard estimated the City cost to be
$100,000 more than current cost. All dispatch employees will be covered under IMRF.
Sherriff Wilhemi stated that Whiteside County Merit Commission operates similar to the
City’s Fire and Police Commission. Sherriff Lt. Booker reported that all dispatchers will
receive an increase in pay. Wilhelmi admitted there is no way to determine an accurate
percentage until the dispatch is up and running.
Manager Shumard received a general consensus from the Council that they would like
further clarification on the cost allocations before they enter into the agreement.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve Ordinance #2017-03-02 Amending
Chapter 54, Article I, Section 2 of the Sterling City Code, Creating the positon
of Deputy Chief within the Police Department; seconded by Alderman Schuchard.
Chief Morgan reported that Police Officers can test for a Sergeant’s position after one
year on the force. Test results are kept for three years for any vacancies. The Fire
Police Commission promotes from the top three candidates. After attaining a
Sergeant’s position, they can test for Lieutenant at any time. Morgan specified the
Chief’s recommendation only weighs in on 3% of the Fire Police Commission’s decision.
If this ordinance passes, the Lieutenant position is eliminated. Morgan hopes the
Council trusts the Chief enough to choose the Deputy Chief. Mayor Lee asked if this
would lighten the Chief’s load. Chief Morgan stated there would be no change in
duties, only title, and how they are appointed. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin,
Elston, Martin, Schuchard, and Stauter. Nayes – Alderman Wilen. Motion carried.
Mayor Lee opened the public hearing on the FY 2017-2018 Budget at 7:38 pm.
Manager Shumard reviewed the budget. There were no public comments. Mayor Lee
closed the hearing at 7:56 pm. The budget will be adopted on April 17.
Chief Morgan reported that a new officer graduated Thursday. Two more new officers
were hired today and will be going to training. The goal is to have 2 more officers hired
for a total of 30.
Manager Shumard reported the HALO ground breaking will be Wednesday.
Alderman Martin encouraged everyone to vote tomorrow. Martin expressed
disappointment that nothing can be done about political signs that are in the right-ofway
or on vacant lots.
Alderman Conklin hopes everyone gets out to vote. Conklin stated that the smart
meter from Commonwealth Edison has been installed at his business.
Alderman Elston was excited about upcoming events throughout the summer.
Alderman Stauter informed Council of phone calls over the weekend about the
Lawrence Hardware building. Chief Cook reported that Blackhawk was having
firefighter training over the weekend.
Mayor Lee thanked the Chamber for their Candidate Forum. Lee stated that the sales
tax referendum makes sense. On April 21, Neil Anderson and Tony McCombie will be
meeting with Mayor Lee for coffee and chat at 9:00 am at the Sterling Candlelight.
Alderman Schuchard made a motion to move to “closed session” at 8:08 pm to discuss
appointment, employment, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of
the public body 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 Schuchard made a motion to reconvene the open meeting at 8:56 pm;
seconded by Alderman Elston. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin,
Schuchard, Stauter, and Wilen. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve a compensation increase for City Manager
Scott Shumard in the amount of $2150 for 2016-2017, paid retroactive; $110,223 is the
salary for FY 2017-2018, and pay for his personal cell phone; seconded by Alderman
Schuchard. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Schuchard, Stauter, and
Wilen. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm.
http://www.sterling-il.gov/docs/meetings/minutes/cc040317.pdf
Alerts Sign-up