City of Sterling Mayor & Council met May 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Mayor Charles “Skip” Lee called a meeting of the Sterling City Council to order at 6:30 pm on Monday, May 1, 2017. Roll call. Present: Aldermen Bob Conklin, Retha Elston, Joe Martin, John Stauter, and Christine Wilen. Absent: Alderman Chris Schuchard. Also present were City Attorney Tim Zollinger, City Manager Scott Shumard, Finance Director Cindy Von Holten, Superintendent of Building and Zoning Amanda Schmidt, Head Librarian Jennifer Slaney, Fire Chief Gary Cook, Police Chief Tim Morgan, and City Clerk Marie Rombouts.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Karen Sundae, 905 West 15th Street, stated that she had been at a Council meeting two years ago about houses in her neighborhood. She has lived there 30 years and is surrounded by rentals and foreclosures. She asked where the City is with the Rental Inspection Program. She pays taxes and has remodeled her house. She stated that she will never get her money back on her house. She distributed photos of her house and the houses around her. She is desperate to have something done about the houses.
Tom Brackemeyer thanked the Council for getting the sales tax passed for infrastructure. Brackemeyer is aware of the reconstruction on Fourth Avenue from LeFevre to the cul-de-sac and wanted to know when sidewalks would be replaced in the 400 and 500 blocks of LeFevre Road.
Terry Lynch thanked the Council for their support and stated that although he lost the election, he would like to be involved in the community.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A) Minutes from April 17, 2017
B) Bills and Payroll totaling $810,326.34
C) Plan Commission Minutes of March 16, 2017
The motion was seconded by Alderman Martin. Alderman Stauter noted that Bryan Cave received another large payment which put them $15,000 over budget. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, and Wilen. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Clerk Rombouts administered the Oath of Office to Jim Wise and John Stauter as Aldermen-at-Large.
Mayor Lee thanked Chris Schuchard for his service to the City.
At 6:47 pm, the meeting of the old Council adjourned.
Mayor Charles “Skip” Lee called a meeting of the Sterling City Council to order at 6:47 pm on Monday, May 1, 2017. Roll call. Present: Aldermen Bob Conklin, Retha Elston, Joe Martin, John Stauter, Christine Wilen and Jim Wise. Absent: None. Also present were City Attorney Tim Zollinger, City Manager Scott Shumard, Finance Director Cindy Von Holten, Superintendent of Building and Zoning Amanda Schmidt, Head Librarian Jennifer Slaney, Fire Chief Gary Cook, Police Chief Tim Morgan, and City Clerk Marie Rombouts.
Alderman Elston made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A) Bucket Brigade for American Legion Auxiliary on May 6, 2017
B) Bucket Brigade for St. Jude Rides, an affiliate of Road Runners Club of America on May 20, 2017
C) Resolution #R2017-05-09 to Close Fourth Street for Youth Day Sponsored by GPA (Giving Power to Adolescents) on July 15, 2017 The motion was seconded by Alderman Conklin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried. Alderman Wise made a motion to pass the Proclamation declaring May 6, 2017 as Poppy Days symbolizing the sacrifice of lives in all wars; seconded by Alderman Elston. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Elston made a motion to pass the Proclamation declaring May 13, 2017, as National Letter Carrier Food Drive Day; seconded by Alderman Conklin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Elston made a motion to pass the Proclamation declaring May 15, 2017 as Police Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 14 – 20, 2017 as Police Week in Sterling; seconded by Alderman Stauter. Chief Morgan thanked the Council for recognizing this special week. Sterling Police Officers place grave markers in the cemetery for Officers, who have passed. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Mayor Lee recognized Chief Morgan to present a plaque commending K-9 Marco and his handler Pat Bartel. Terry Lynch asked if the canine officer would be replaced. Chief Morgan stated that it is not in the budget for this year.
Alderman Martin made a motion to adopt Ordinance #2017-05-11 to rezone 2501 Avenue E from Neighborhood Business (NB) to NB Special Use to allow for the operation of a sit-down restaurant and bar; seconded by Alderman Conklin. Superintendent Schmidt reported there was a lengthy discussion at the Plan Commission, particularly regarding signage, landscaping, and a dumpster enclosure. Heath Warner explained the video gaming will be in a separate room from the restaurant. He hopes for 60 seats in the dining room. Alderman Stauter asked if he had received a citation for his establishment downtown. Warner explained they have rectified that problem and have trained all staff. Alderman Stauter asked what happens if the business is sold. Superintendent Schmidt indicated the Special Use Permit remains with the property but any changes require the Special Use to be amended. Warner explained that Hospice, New Life Lutheran Church, and the YMCA have reached out to him and are excited about an eatery nearby. Mayor Lee asked if he will be utilizing the drive-up window. Warner said he will and eventually wants to provide delivery. Warner plans to open by June 14 for the Gus Macker basketball tournament. Alderman Wise was concerned about promotional signage for video gaming and asked if the Special Use Permit could be withdrawn. Attorney Zollinger stated that if the petitioner is complying with the Special Use provisions it is not easy to revoke a Special Use Permit. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Elston made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2017-05-12 to vacate 20’ of northerly right-of-way in the 300 block of East 23rd Street to allow the property owner to build a deeper, slightly larger duplex unit on the parcel; seconded by Alderman Martin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Martin made a motion to approve Resolution #R2017-05-10 Authorizing the Acceptance of a Grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IDHA) to participate and receive funds from the Abandoned Residential Property Municipal Relief Program in the amount of $71,000; seconded by Alderman Conklin. Superintendent Schmidt reported the City already owns two houses that will be demolished and one planned. The $71,000 is for the two-year program. Alderman Conklin asked the best way to address weeds. Schmidt stated that after 8” in height, the owner is given five days to abate the nuisance, then it will be mowed by the City’s contractor. Alderman Wise asked if there is a form to fill out. Schmidt stated Code Enforcement will take the complaint in any manner. Wise asked if legal fees have been committed for this grant and would like a listing of houses scheduled for demolition on the website. Attorney Zollinger cautioned that only properties owned by the City could be listed. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Alderman Elston made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the required Funding Agreement between the City of Sterling and the Illinois Housing Development Authority accepting funds from the Abandoned Residential Property Municipal Relief Program; seconded by Alderman Conklin. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
Superintendent Schmidt reported that the first round of interviews has been completed for a Code Enforcement Officer. Staff hopes to offer a job to someone within two weeks. The new mowing contract bids are due on Friday, May 12. Code Enforcement summer help will concentrate of weeds and grass this summer.
Manager Shumard announced that Superintendent Schrader was attending his daughter’s induction to National Honor Society. Shumard is hoping for a May 31 bid opening for street projects. Shumard and Director Von Holten will be meeting with Bob Vale about bonds on Friday. Shumard confirmed that Council members received the counter offer for the consolidated dispatch.
Alderman Martin thanked Alderman Schuchard for his service to the City and giving a younger perspective to the City’s Strategic Plan.
Alderman Conklin met with Superintendent Schrader on Avenue C where street and curb work are beginning.
Alderman Elston reported the Employee Service Recognition Dinner was well attended. Elston thanked the staff for their dedication to the City.
Alderman Stauter remarked that the Recognition Dinner was a great evening.
Mayor Lee welcomed Alderman Jim Wise to the Council and is looking forward to working with him. Lee noted the strength and quality of City staff makes the City what it is. Lee also noted that Sterling Main Street is an asset because he recently visited another community that does not have a Main Street Program and it shows. Mayor Lee asked Council members to send him dates that they are not available to begin review of the Strategic Plan.
Alderman Stauter made a motion to move to “closed session” at 7:26 pm to discuss collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives under subsection (2) of 5 ILCS 120/2(c); seconded by Alderman Elston. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried. Manager Shumard announced there would be no business after the closed session.
Alderman Conklin made a motion to reconvene the open meeting at 8:22 pm; seconded by Alderman Elston. Voting: Ayes – Aldermen Conklin, Elston, Martin, Stauter, Wilen, and Wise. Nayes – None. Motion carried.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.
http://www.sterling-il.gov/docs/meetings/minutes/cc050117.pdf
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